Behind the scenes look at 'Indiana Jones' treasures
By Douglas Hyde, CNN
updated 1:42 PM EDT, Fri August 24, 2012
The "Indiana Jones" films are heading to Blu-ray next month, and Lucasfilm has granted CNN rare access to its archive of props and costumes. So put on your fedora and get ready to experience the treasures of Skywalker Ranch!
You'd never know it by looking at it, but inside this unassuming blue barn on George Lucas' famed Skywalker Ranch are some of the most iconic props in movie history. A group of hard-nosed journalists heads in, about to be reduced to giddy children.
The "Ark of the Covenant" -- nothing else comes close. Here's the raider's iconic costume and his most famous discovery from his first adventure, 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
"Raiders of the Lost Ark" introduced scruffy archaeologist "Indiana Jones" to the world and his trademark fedora hat and whip. In the background sits the Chachapoyan fertility idol, "Indy's" removal of which literally brought the house down at the beginning of the film.
Indiana Jones sought out these magical Sankara stones in 1984's "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" in pursuit of "fortune and glory, kid, fortune and glory," but by the end of the film, he had come to understand their true power.
Long before computer generated images dominated movie-making, practical special effects were used by George Lucas' wizards at Industrial Light and Magic. Here's a miniature stop-motion model of two Thuggees from the mine cart chase in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."
Mannequins of two Thuggee cult members and the costume of Indy's sidekick, "Short Round," from 1984's "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."
Fortunately for her, Kate Capshaw didn't have to be lowered close to the fiery lava in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom." Instead, a miniature model of her character "Willie Scott" was used for the real toasty bits.
"That's the cup of a carpenter." Indiana Jones and his father, Henry Jones, pursued the Holy Grail in the third adventure, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade."
"Dad's Grail diary," filled with clues and secrets to surviving ancient booby traps, proved to be invaluable to "Indy" in his quest for the Christian artifact.
Props from the opening sequence of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" -- young Indy's Boy Scout backpack, Eagle Scout ribbon and the Spanish crucifix he encounters ("It belongs in a museum!!")
A crystal skull from the fourth adventure, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." The skull, from an interdimensional being, possessed impressive psychic powers.
Indiana Jones and the treasures of Skywalker Ranch
Blue barn
Indy and the Ark
Hat, whip, golden idol
Sankara Stones
Thuggees in mine cart
Thugee and Short Round
Willie
Grail
Diary
Cross, Eagle Scout badge
Crystal skull
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|