I haven't posted much in the past year and half, or so. For a few reasons. First, I'm only focused on the Temple of Doom, which is the least liked of all three films. Secondly, because I've obtained all the gear I've ever wanted. Other than making adjustments to and distressing my current gear, I'm done seeking additional articles. Right now, I'm just collecting a narrow selection of props replicas of ToD.
To the point. Just watching the film again (it had been a while) I just wanted to say that Temple of Doom is a fantasic film, full of charm, non-stop action and suspense. The plot is an uncomfortable sutuation for our action hero, and we see him at his best. It's even down right creepy, at times. And, in my opinion, Indy's gear looks best in this film. The extent to which it's distressed gives him such a well-seasoned look.
I know I represent a narrow population of gearheads, but I'm curious who else thinks that ToD holds the best, and most elusive gear out there.
The hat is pretty tough to nail, and I wonder why people are so permissive with any old hat passing as ToD (although there were at least two to three different hats in the film).
The jacket requires just as much research as Rotla, and is even more difficult to match since, apart from a few used Westeds, a mysterious French company that no longer exists was involved with the production of the jacket. The whip is even a bit different in color and in the shape of the butt. Then there's the bag strap.
And what about the holster? The IMA holster isn't even close. It's a tough holster to accurately match, and will cost more money than a Raiders holster any day. I wish there was more of an appreciation for the gear of this film. Over the past three years I've been rahter disappointed with the limited research of ToD, and have had to do most of it on my own. Coming this next month I plan on posting some detailed images of my ToD gear with commentary for those who have felt as I do. i hope it's helpful for those seeking the ToD gear as I have for so long.
Cheers
Yurik
Temple of Doom FOREVER!
Moderators: Mike, Cajunkraut, Tennessee Smith
I waffle back on forth on this topic, but I was just now watching the DVD preview of the trilogy, and I have to admit that I do have a secret soft spot for Temple of Doom (the film, not so much the gear).
I don't know how much of it is nostalgia for my lost youth and how much of it is actual grown-up appreciation, but I do know that as a youngster I anticpated the release of this film so eagerly, they could have shown Hope Floats and I would have been happy.
Only as I got older did it occur to me that Raiders was technically a better-made film, but there is a sense of fun and experimentation that pervades TOD that, for me anyway, balances the much-maligned 'darkness' of its many subterranean scenes. Yes, it's a dark film, but it's comic book darkness, which isn't the same as, say Seven, which is just downright disturbing. I'm sure that if the makers of old 1930s serials had had a budget like that of TOD, they would have come up with exactly the same sort of stuff. Look at the cover of any pulp novel and you'll realize it's so.
Somehow, though, for me Last Crusade missed the mark entirely.
I don't know how much of it is nostalgia for my lost youth and how much of it is actual grown-up appreciation, but I do know that as a youngster I anticpated the release of this film so eagerly, they could have shown Hope Floats and I would have been happy.
Only as I got older did it occur to me that Raiders was technically a better-made film, but there is a sense of fun and experimentation that pervades TOD that, for me anyway, balances the much-maligned 'darkness' of its many subterranean scenes. Yes, it's a dark film, but it's comic book darkness, which isn't the same as, say Seven, which is just downright disturbing. I'm sure that if the makers of old 1930s serials had had a budget like that of TOD, they would have come up with exactly the same sort of stuff. Look at the cover of any pulp novel and you'll realize it's so.
Somehow, though, for me Last Crusade missed the mark entirely.
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Unsung Hero
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I have to say that ToD is my all-around favorite in regards to the films. There are certianly different elements of the others that i like better, but I think that ToD gives us more insight into Indy's raw character than the other two. Its also cool to have indy out of "context" (either white US/Europe, or the middle-east looking for a biblical artifact, and plenty of Nazis) it made this stand out a bit more. I don't think that I would enjoy Indy nearly as much if Lucas had stuck to the bible/desert/nazi-style plot in this film.
As for the gear, I don't really have much of an opinion on some of the really specific items. I think that the ToD jacket LOOKS the best (from what I understand, though, they sacrificed look for comfort and Harry let it be known), I'm planning on ordering a wested ToD-style goat pretty soon here to go with my raiders lamb. I also really like how destressed - if you can call it that - his shirt was by the end of the film. For me, the bridge scene is what indy is supposed to look like (plus wested and whatever else he had lost by that point - and the Mark VII
).
On another note, however, I have to say that the one place where tod gear is lacking compared to the other 2 movies is the props. A glowing sankara stone is pretty cool, but the sanskrit cloths and peacock's eye aren't exactly the centerpieces of my collection.
As for the gear, I don't really have much of an opinion on some of the really specific items. I think that the ToD jacket LOOKS the best (from what I understand, though, they sacrificed look for comfort and Harry let it be known), I'm planning on ordering a wested ToD-style goat pretty soon here to go with my raiders lamb. I also really like how destressed - if you can call it that - his shirt was by the end of the film. For me, the bridge scene is what indy is supposed to look like (plus wested and whatever else he had lost by that point - and the Mark VII
). On another note, however, I have to say that the one place where tod gear is lacking compared to the other 2 movies is the props. A glowing sankara stone is pretty cool, but the sanskrit cloths and peacock's eye aren't exactly the centerpieces of my collection.
I love all three movies equally although some are more equal than others...) 
Raiders is, in my opinion, 'untoppable' in terms of it's general storyline, pace, action sequences, direction and GEAR - then crusade as a close second and then lastly TOD, which in my opinion does have some down points Indy-wise, based on the high standards set by the other two movies. TOD has some of my favourite action sequences (Club Obi Wan, Minecar chase for example) but there are weaker plot elements wrapped around these classic moments. Might not sound like it, but I do have a soft spot for it, really
Sometimes it just has to be Temple, despite it's faults.
Gear wise, I think raiders introduced us to the stuff, temple kinda carried it on a little and crusade really opened up a whole lot more exciting possibilities - a (pretty much) new jacket design for example and a grail diary!
Just my opinion of course,
Regards,
Alan
Raiders is, in my opinion, 'untoppable' in terms of it's general storyline, pace, action sequences, direction and GEAR - then crusade as a close second and then lastly TOD, which in my opinion does have some down points Indy-wise, based on the high standards set by the other two movies. TOD has some of my favourite action sequences (Club Obi Wan, Minecar chase for example) but there are weaker plot elements wrapped around these classic moments. Might not sound like it, but I do have a soft spot for it, really
Sometimes it just has to be Temple, despite it's faults.Gear wise, I think raiders introduced us to the stuff, temple kinda carried it on a little and crusade really opened up a whole lot more exciting possibilities - a (pretty much) new jacket design for example and a grail diary!
Just my opinion of course,
Regards,
Alan
There are about 5 scenes where you get a clear glimpse of the holster's design. I believe it was an authentic Webley holster from 1918. These screen grabs will not surface until the DVD is released. Based on my own research, I believe the holster was of a specific design delegated to several makers. The holster I currently have, I believe, is of that design. Give me a month or two, and I'll consider doing anon-line scrap book of my gear with a photo of the holster.
Yurik
Yurik
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Band Director Jones
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TOD is my sentimental favorite. The first time I saw it was on opening day, at a special 9:00 in the morning screening. Oh yeah, I was also in the 5th grade and it was a school wide (1st grade - 5th grade) field trip. I don't know what the school principals and teachers were thinking taking 300 grade school age kids to a movie that caused the PG-13 rating, and I really didn't care. It was fantastic! I even got to sit next to my music teacher who I had a little crush on 
. She even pretended to be scared and held my hand during the "gross and scary" parts . Man was I glad TOD had people being burned, flattened, and their hearts being ripped out 
.
As to the gear, I just picked up a new PB custom in a TOD style (suspension bridge scene) fedora a few weeks ago. To me it is a very classic looking hat. (shhh...don't tell anyone but I almost like it better than the original Raiders style; that scene, not the badly tapered as in the plane scene
& )
. She even pretended to be scared and held my hand during the "gross and scary" parts . Man was I glad TOD had people being burned, flattened, and their hearts being ripped out .As to the gear, I just picked up a new PB custom in a TOD style (suspension bridge scene) fedora a few weeks ago. To me it is a very classic looking hat. (shhh...don't tell anyone but I almost like it better than the original Raiders style; that scene, not the badly tapered as in the plane scene
& ) -
Indiana Texas-girl
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Wow! We can't even show PG movies in our district in grades K-6, and the field trips have to be related to the curriculum (no rollerskating field trips anymore). Times have changed!Band Director Jones wrote:Oh yeah, I was also in the 5th grade and it was a school wide (1st grade - 5th grade) field trip. I don't know what the school principals and teachers were thinking taking 300 grade school age kids to a movie that caused the PG-13 rating, and I really didn't care.
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Minnesota Jones
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I've always enjoyed ToD. At the time, it was before LC, before the major video games, etc. It was Indy, along with ROTLA. Most of my first gear in 1984-1985 was ToD related as I had mostly pictures of that to go off of. The darker buttons on the shirt, a black holster, etc. I was at a Sci Fi Con this past Summer "CONvergence" and went as LC Indy on Friday, ROTLA Indy on Saturday, and ToD on Sunday. Here's a Sunday ToD shot.
I tore up one of my LLBean shirts and "Light Brown" LLBean Chinos, the holster is a replica Webley I dyed black. Hat is my PBBM and bag strap is Lee Keppler's ToD Strap.
Machete is fake, but I painted it to help it out. Gilligan's gear was perfect, I had to have a picture with him!
I tore up one of my LLBean shirts and "Light Brown" LLBean Chinos, the holster is a replica Webley I dyed black. Hat is my PBBM and bag strap is Lee Keppler's ToD Strap.
Machete is fake, but I painted it to help it out. Gilligan's gear was perfect, I had to have a picture with him!
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Captain D
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Yurik, I definitely will look forward to your pics!
I can't speak for everyone else here, but the reason why the ToD is my least favorite of the 3 Indy films is because:
1.) Indy just seemed to have a very negative / pessimistic / grumpy attitude during the entire film to me. I really didn't see any "acting skill" in Harrison Ford's representation of the Indiana Jones character. I suppose it's because thats how my real father is in real life, so sitting down and watching it on film tends to be unappealing. At least in "Raiders" and "Last Crusade," you get a variety of flavors from Indiana Jones' character / personality. Such as wit, comic humor, and some serious "effort" put in by the actors involved to help make the character(s) as believable as possible to their wide audiences. (as well as add action, suspense, suprises, romance, ect...).
2.) The storyline in general. I admit, in the beginning of the film, it reminds me of one of those Humphrey Bogart films from the classic 1930's which I enjoy very much so. However, up to the very point when Indy becomes posessed and people's hearts are getting ripped out, from there until the end of the film it just seems like a "B" movie, lol.
But I can agree with you that a lot of his gear does look good; with it being distressed as it was. Perhaps, it would have been nice to see a little more consistency with his gear (ex: all MKV II bags used like it was in "Last Crusade").
Just my .02 cents...and I hope that I didn't ruffle any feathers
High Regards,
Captain D
I can't speak for everyone else here, but the reason why the ToD is my least favorite of the 3 Indy films is because:
1.) Indy just seemed to have a very negative / pessimistic / grumpy attitude during the entire film to me. I really didn't see any "acting skill" in Harrison Ford's representation of the Indiana Jones character. I suppose it's because thats how my real father is in real life, so sitting down and watching it on film tends to be unappealing. At least in "Raiders" and "Last Crusade," you get a variety of flavors from Indiana Jones' character / personality. Such as wit, comic humor, and some serious "effort" put in by the actors involved to help make the character(s) as believable as possible to their wide audiences. (as well as add action, suspense, suprises, romance, ect...).
2.) The storyline in general. I admit, in the beginning of the film, it reminds me of one of those Humphrey Bogart films from the classic 1930's which I enjoy very much so. However, up to the very point when Indy becomes posessed and people's hearts are getting ripped out, from there until the end of the film it just seems like a "B" movie, lol.
But I can agree with you that a lot of his gear does look good; with it being distressed as it was. Perhaps, it would have been nice to see a little more consistency with his gear (ex: all MKV II bags used like it was in "Last Crusade").
Just my .02 cents...and I hope that I didn't ruffle any feathers
High Regards,
Captain D