Allohistória filmov (a seriálov) - Britský Indiana Jones (2004-?)

Jeden z dvoch alternatívnych scenárov, ktoré som napísal pre menšiu súťaž na tému "vytvorte britský remake nejakej pôvodne americkej filmovej alebo televíznej značky".

 

Indiana Jones a Chrám skazy

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Nezávislá britsko-americká koprodukcia z roku 2004. Stal sa z nej prekvapujúci kinohit (pomerne chudobného) vtedajšieho leta, na oboch stranách Atlantiku.

Druhá polovica 20. rokov 20. storočia. Henry Jones Jr. je britský archeológ-tridsiatnik a veterán prvej svetovej vojny. Aj po rokoch sa He is still dealing with trauma from the war and the loss of his beloved fiancée Emma to the Spanish flu in 1919. Struggling at home to find a good enough research project for gainful employment, he receives an invitation from the American professor Ravenwood, one of the greatest experts in the oft-dismissed field of North American pre-Columbian archaeology. Ravenwood is an old friend of Henry's estranged father, Henry Sr., and offers Jr. work on a newly rediscovered pre-Columbian city in the US state of... Indiana.

Feeling he has nothing to lose and that the New World might yield new prospects and heal old wounds, Jones Jr. travels to the US. Here, he meets the avid professor Ravenwood, his talented and attractive daughter Marion, and an array of local allies and helpers. Chief among them is Robert, the descendant of a local tribe whose ancestors were forced off their lands by the US government in the 19th century, and now seek an apology and compensation. "Bob", as he's known, is good friends with Ravenwood. Even though he admits the local finds might not pertain directly to the ancestors of his own people, he's determined to protect any native heritage regardless, and favours the professionalism and respect of professor Ravenwood.

Not all is well, though. Enter the antagonists of the film, pampered East Coast millionaire and bored artefact-hoarder Walter Donovan, and the cynical sell-out archaeologist and unscrupulous treasure-hunter Alan "Alabama" Smith. Smith is an old rival of professor Ravenwood and is determined to force him off the digsite in favour of his and Donovan's hired goons. It's time for some senseless lootin' and sellin', if they find anything interesting... They plan to sell any of the looted finds as artefacts that supposedly belonged of an ancient culture of white foreigners, reasoning that "those primitive Injuns" could never have created anything sophisticated.

One night, a confrontation errupts between the Donovan/Smith group and professor Ravenwood's research team. Smith unintentionally shoots Ravenwood dead, after threatening to shoot Bob, and the professor jumping in front of him to defend him. Donovan and Smith are taken aback, and though their group retreats for the time being, they verbally threaten the researchers and activist to leave the site for good, otherwise they'll be next. A shocked Henry, quietly furious Bob, grief-stricken Marion and their co-workers try to contact the county authorities and local sheriff, but learn that Donovan and Smith had payed them off. No one wants to bother investigating the professor's murder or intimidation of researchers. Whether Henry Jones Jr. likes it or not, he's increasingly dragged into taking a stand against the crimes of Donovan and Smith.

Despite its focus on accurate portrayals of archaeology, drama and humour, the film also features a lot of action and stunts, including horseback chases and period car chases.

The titular "Temple of Doom" is figurative. Donovan and Smith are highly dismissive of the merit of ancient native cultures. They are prone to believing the natives couldn't have created all of this, but some other ancient (preferrably European-like) civilization did. At the same time, they show a degree of superstition, at least partly giving in to myths about a supposed native curse on all those who'd desecrate the works of their ancient ancestors. To them, the rediscovered sacred site is a potential temple of doom. Their arrogant-but-cowardly attitude is ultimately what leads to their downfall, Donovan meeting his fate in a climactic action sequence, while Smith narrowly escapes and swears revenge on Jones and Ravenwood.

The film ends with the federal government stepping in to investigate the events, arresting many of Donovan's and Smith's henchmen and associates and contemplating taking early measures to protect native archaeological heritage. In the epilogue Dr. Jones, now nicknamed "Indiana Jones", meets with Marion at a bar, and after some hesitation, proposes to her. As they lean in for a kiss, an older voice is heard from the entrance door: "Junior ! Why don't you introduce me to your bride-to-be ?" They turn their heads, surprised, and notice a smiling Jones Sr. standing at the entrance. This, and Smith's escape, were intended as a minor hook for a potential sequel.

The film had a number of creative influences, taking inspiration from pulp adventure novels of yore, old adventure film serials about adventurer-archaeologists, the epic films of David Lean, Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Westerns, and Sam Peckinpah's gritty neo-Westerns set in the early 20th century. However, the creators also wanted to challenge the stereotype present in the first two types of works, by creating characters of several enlightened-for-their-time archaeologist heroes who are far more appreciative of old Native American monuments and material culture. This was still something rare in the US of the period the film is set in. The film also challenges various popular misconceptions and pseudoarchaeological claims about British and North American archaeological finds, a long-term problem in the public's misinformed knowledge about archaeology. The villains of the piece, such as Donovan and Smith, embody the bigoted and unscientific approach to "digging up old stuff".

The music for the film was composed by American-born John Williams. Williams moved to the UK in the late 1980s, and after suffering a bit of a career stagnation in the latter half of the 1990s, was brought back to the fore by composing the soundtrack for the film. Though few gave the film any sort of hope at the box office, Williams liked the concept, and worked wonders on the very classical-sounding, upbeat score, with the occassional romantic leitmotif. Many credit the success of the film's captivating atmosphere on its use of music. Williams would go on to score the rest of the subsequent Indiana Jones franchise, though occassionally complemented by other British and European film and TV composers.

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Ukážky chvály pôvodného filmu od riadnych, vyštudovaných archeológov:

"Klobúk  dole Toto his is officially my favourite adventure film of all time ! No contest."
- profesor Ken Feder

"A classic for a reason... Before 2004, I would never have hoped for a British adventure film that portrays real archaeology and respect for native material culture in such a favourable and informed light... and is really fun and funny to boot !"
- Marc Barkman-Astles

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Pokračovania a spinoffy v sérii Indiana Jones

Following the success of the first film, a sequel was inevitable. Though several ideas were planned by the creators, preparations took a while, but the continuation of Jones' travels eventually hit the big screens, with all their adventure, drama and comedic charm. The theatrical installments to date include:

• Indiana Jones a Záhada yetiho (Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Yeti) - Indy and Marion go research the yeti myth in the Himalayas, travelling India, Nepal, Tibet, having run-ins with local bandits, villagers and townsfolk, monks, and even stray Chinese warlords. The male-female duo are accompanied by the bickering Jones Sr. and Indy's old college mentor, Harold Oxley, known for his comical rivalry with Indy's father.
• Indiana Jones a Tajomstvá Núbie (Indiana Jones and the Secrets of Nubia) - a peculiar new find from ancient Egypt points to an interesting connection with Egypt's neighbouring cultures to the south. Indy and Marion can't resist to sink their teeth into this case ! Little do they know what ominous adventures lie ahead before they crack this latest archaeological mystery.
• Indiana Jones a Dúhový had (Indiana Jones and the Rainbow Serpent) - involves a shady band of Australian prospectors harassing a group of natives trying to protect their sacred site. Indy's father retires in the epilogue of this installment, though he does make some cameos in later films. This is the first installment that features the post-WWI barnstormer and daredevil aerobat, pilot Harry Cane. Harry would make repeat appearances in several of the theatrical films and television miniseries.
• Indiana Jones a Dobyvatelia stratených árch (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Arks) - Svetobežnícke dobrodružstvoglobe-trotting adventure from Africa to the Caucasus, pitting Indy's team against a group of unscrupulous "Bible archaeologists" (in reality, reckless Bible literalists). They are out to find the Ark of the Covenant (presuming it's the one in Ethiopia) and the remains of Noah's Ark (presuming it's on Ararat), wrecking havoc and disrespect on locals while on their way. Indy decides to teach them a lesson. To his surprise, he learns that Alabama Smith is in cahoots with the group !
• Indiana Jones and the Riches of the Amazon - a bunch of nazi cultists want to find Atlantis in the Amazon. Indy, Marion, Oxley and a few helpers mount an expedition to stop these villains from destroying the newly discovered native cultures that once built great cities and practiced agriculture in the depths of the rainforest.
• Indiana Jones a Hrobka jazdcov (Indiana Jones and the Tomb of the Horsemen) - Indy a Marion sa vyberú preskúmať nálezy v Pazyryku. They befriend a local native guide and fight a group of former Soviet soldiers led by a disgraced Soviet academician, the group intent on tomb-robbing. Alabama Smith resurfaces again.
• Indiana Jones a Zlatá knižnica Mansa Musu (Indiana Jones and the Golden Library of Mansa Musa) - set in Mali and other parts of western and northern Africa, Indy goes all the way from home to Timbuctou to uncover a lost library of Islamic knowledge, gilded and intentionally burried during the reign of the famous medieval Malian king. The adversary is an early UFO-cultist who wants to prove the Dogon were mentored by aliens (spoiler: they weren't and the guy gets his just desserts).
• Indiana Jones a Cisárove pokladové loďstvo (Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Treasure Fleet) - one of Zheng He's ships in the famous Chinese Treasure Fleet might not have sailed back home, sinking at a little known island in a rarely visited part of the Pacific or Indian Ocean. Indy, Marion and co. mount an investigation into the lost treasure junk, and when they expect it the least, Alabama Smith pops up again to thwart their efforts.

The theatrical films were supplemented by several television miniseries, focusing on various smaller adventures. Examples include:

• Indiana Jones and the Doges' Last Crusade - set in Venice and Dubrovnik and involving the parts played by the cities in the history of the Crusades. One of the most urban-focused stories in the franchise, and considered one of its best television stories.
• Indiana Jones and the Bog Mummies - set in Indy's native Britain, focusing on a seemingly supernatural (or is it ?) murder mystery involving bog mummies, in the style of interwar British crime mysteries.
• Indiana Jones and the Songs of the North - set in Finland and northern Norway during WWII and the Winter War, with Indy saving Sámi archaeological artefacts from soldiers intent on looting and from a certain Kalevala-obsessed maniac.
• Indiana Jones and the Curse of Port Royal - Indy, Marion and the team visit Jamaica in the Caribbean and start researching whether there's truth to a local legend. It speaks of coffers full of priceless artefacts, sunk during the earthquake that destroyed the former city of Port Royal. Is a recent string of strange crimes in Kingston part of a fabled curse put on the artefacts by the pirates hiding out in Port Royal ? Or is old nemesis Alabama Smith back, playing his nefarious games again ?
• Indiana Jones and the Riddles of Great Zimbabwe - Indy and Marion discover there are a few more secrets among the ruins of the fortified African trade city than previously thought.
• Indiana Jones and the Mayan Observatory - a group of Mayanists, aided by a group of nefarious hoaxers promoting the crystal skull myths, seek to uncover the supposed cosmic and alien mysteries the Maya knew of. Indy is skeptical as usual, and makes a resolution to stop the potential damage dealt to Mayan architecture and stone calendars. He also helps local Mayan farmers fend off abuse by criminals and the local corrupt government. Considered one of the best television miniseries of the franchise, though some have criticised it for being a slight thematic rehash of the very first theatrical film.
• Indiana Jones and the Chieftain's Cache - Indy learns that Moric Benyovsky didn't only befriend the Malagasy and get elected as their chief at one point, but also hatched a plan to hide a secret cache of rescued native artefacts, period weapon stores, and so on.
• Indiana Jones and the Eerie Ice Graves - Indy embarks on a journey through the Arctic, from natural ice graves of mummified Inuit in Greenland, to the sad story behind the rediscovery of the graves belonging to the Franklin Expedition in the Canadian Arctic.

In addition to the miniseries, the franchise also saw the creation of a surprisingly successful spinoff, The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones. It ran for four series (seasons) and gradually detailed Indy's lifestory before the events of the original film: His childhood in the Edwardian era, his growing interest in history and archaeology, Famous Five-style adventures with friends while thwarting pre-war rural grave-robbers, his complex and often ghastly experiences during World War I, his befriending of Emma and their romance until her premature demise in 1919, his later college years and becoming a struggling archaeologist. We learn in early series that he learned to use a whip when he had to fend off a group of Neolithic digsite robbers as a child, finding the whip at a farmhouse stable and using it for self-defence. We see his development from adventurous child, to hopeful pre-WWI nerd, to traumatised young man, to heartbroken young widower and increasingly brave and outspoken archaeologist, the determined protector of ancient artefacts and their sites.

The franchise also spawned various comic books, toys, tabletop games and even computer games. The latter example became a respected game series of its own, helmed by then-struggling British game publisher Eidos. The success of the series helped with keeping them in business and avoiding getting bought out by another publisher. The game series was successful enough that one of the installments was effectivelly a small spinoff focused specifically on the solo adventures of Marion Ravenwood (in the employ of a certain mysterious Lord Croft).

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Casting, osoby a obsadenie

Moja britská verzia Indyho pôsobí navonok ako taký nerd z medzivojnového obdobia. He's also meant to be bilingual. An actual Welshman by birth, hence Jones ! You won't have Jones played by a Daniel Craig type. I think a more "Welsh-looking" guy, brunette, sort of "duskier", sort of more "everyman" than "tall athletic guy", is closer to my idea. More "salt of the earth", introverted type, even in appearance. For this ATL series scenario, I would like to choose some British actor with a Welsh background, born in the early 1980s or the late 1970s, at most. Marion should be around that same age range, and her and professor Ravenwood should be cast with Americans. Same with the baddie of the first movie (an ATL Donovan) and "Alabama" Smith (though you can also cast any actors who do convincing Americans).

Bear in mind that this is a bigger British production, so even the British and American actors cast won't be some superstars. A few recognisible, bigger names who've also done TV and smaller films, but a lot of up-and-coming talent at the time (early 2000s), and all of them younger than now.

Some casting ideas I've considered are below.

Henry "Indiana" Jones Jr. - Walešan, dvojjazyčný, syn Henryho st. a Megan. I'd prefer casting an actor with Welsh roots and capable of speaking passable Welsh in addition to BrE. This is one role where I'm inclined to pick something out of left field, a lesser-known actor. Richard Harrington (no relation to Kit of GoT fame) has appeared in some Welsh-English series and films, including a noir crime drama. I could see him mesh well even with my idea for Henry Sr. (see below), and he also wouldn't look weird as an interwar era British intellectual/scientist. Of course, Ioan Gruffudd crossed my mind, but he's a bit ingrained to me as Hornblower, and he tends to play more aristocratic-seeming characters. Harrington has a lot more of that "slightly goofy everyman, but becomes a hero when needed" aura to him. He'd be below thirty if cast in the early 2000s.

profesor Henry Jones Sr. - loud and proud Welshman, a fairly tall and boisterous archaeology professor, with dark hair and bushy beard (which his son inherited). Now brace yourself. He's played by... John Rhys-Davies ! Yes, I know the association with Saleh in the OTL series, or the fact that R-D often seems to play short characters, makes this seem like an odd choice. But people forget R-D is actually some 6 feet, 1 inches tall ! He's a tall guy. After finishing up with Gimli in LOTR, he'd no doubt want a very different role, and this would be right up his alley. I imagine his version of Jones Sr. as typically R-D: Somewhat brash and talkative, but also very eloquently spoken and with a ferocious intelligence. Unlike Connery!Sr., he's less of a cranky snarker, and more of a dry-witted, energetic eccentric. Something closer to Conan Doyle's professor Challenger (whom R-D had actually played once, IIRC). He has a difficult relationship with Junior over unresolved past disagreements, and is somewhat disappointed his son is more of a stoic these days, but he dearly loves him. They gradually rekindle their sense of friendship as father and son.

Dr. Broadfield - Priebežne sa objavujúca, do istej miery komická postavička. Dobromyseľný, ale mierne excentrický a roztržitý kolega Dr. Jones st. a profesora Oxleyho. Je alternatívnou, britskou verziou Marcusa Brodyho. Moja preferovaná voľba pre rolu Dr. Broadfielda je Timothy Spall, ale ak by to bolo možné, mohol by ho hrať aj nik iný, než Stephen Fry ! Ak mám byť úprimný, pre túto rolu fakt preferujem Spalla. Napriek tomu, že postava Dr. Broadfielda je v mnohých aspektoch komickou postavičkou, má aj svoju dôstojnosť, a čo sa výskumu a hľadania istých indícií týka, je rovnako múdry a schopný ako jeho kolegovia.

profesor Harold "Ox" Oxley - Tak ako v reálnej sérii, aj tu ho hrá John Hurt. Podobná postava ako tá v reálnej sérii, ale má jeho charakterizácia má podstatne väčšiu hĺbku, než to, čo bolo jeho postave umožnené v reálnom filme Kráľovstvo kryštálovej lebky. Alternatívny Oxley debutuje v druhom filme britskej Indy série. V danom filme sa Oxley a Jones st. často navzájom hašteria a prekárajú. There's something about the idea of Hurt and Rhys-Davies - obaja rešpektované, ale pri zemi sa držiace herecké legendy - hrajú spolu v scénach plných srandovne ladených vzájomných hádiek, podľa mňa niečo naozaj je.

profesor Abner Ravenwood - this one is a tougher cookie for me, though an interesting one, as we never see Abner portrayed in the OTL films, and my ATL British concept has him at least in the first one, before the baddies off him. I've thought of older American actors who have a certain gravitas and wholesomeness to them, but also a degree of grit. Some names that came to mind were James Cromwell (slightly more of that grit and distance) and even John Lithgow (slightly more of that grandfatherly, more mellow touch).

Marion Ravenwoodová - I feel there's several good candidates in the early 2000s, but I've often thought of Anne Hathaway. She'd be in her early twenties and didn't do much in terms of interesting roles, being saddled with The Princess Diaries. Imagine if Marion becomes her breakthrough serious (well, semi-serious) role, rather than Brokeback Mountain or The Devil Wears Prada. I also rather like the fact this could lead to her showing up a lot more in other British productions, potentially even living on-and-off in the UK. It has happened to some US actors and actresses, and this relatively early in her acting career, a British Indy could make for a rather big divergence. Appearance-wise, I like to think of this version of Marion as somewhat Amelia Earhart-esque, just younger.

Bob (domorodý aktivista) - Myslím si, že Gary Farmer by tu bol ideálnou voľbou, bez debát. Pán Farmer hral v priebehu rokov viaceré výborné a pamätihodné domorodé postavy v rôznych filmových a televíznych projektoch. Prakticky všetky tieto postavy boli uveriteľní, pri zemi sa držiaci ľudia. Farmer stvárňujúci vzdelaného, raného domorodého aktivistu z 20. rokov 20. storočia, by bol skvelý doplnok celkového obsadenia.

Walter Donovan - Alternatívna verzia tejto postavy je podobná tej existujúcej v hrubých rysoch, ale príbeh v kotom by sa objavil, sa odohráva skôr, v 20. rokoch 20. storočia ("Roaring Twenties" v Spojených štátoch). Donovan v britskom Indym je odlišným, ale podobne bezškrupulóznym a malicherným zbohatlíckym typom, ako v našej reálnej Poslednej krížovej výprave. Pre obsadenie tejto alternatívnej verzie postavy mi napadli viacerí herci, ale dvaja sa mi obzvlášť pozdávajú, hoci sú obaja dosť rozdielni: Robert Picardo (áno !) alebo Terry O'Quinn (ó, áááno). Podobne ako v prípade Abnera, Donovanovo presné stvárnenie by sa líšilo v závislosti od toho, ktorý z týchto dvoch hercov by bol obsadený, no myslím si, že ktorýkoľvek z týchto dvoch by dokázal odviesť výbornú prácu s týmto konkrétnym záporákom. Možno to niekomu bude pripadať zvláštne, ale Picardo by bol mojou prvou voľbou. Keby však namiesto neho obsadili Terryho O'Quinna, je otázne, ako by to ovplyvnilo herecké obsadenie v seriáli Lost (Nezvestní - ak tento seriál, pravda, vôbec vznikne aj v alternatívnej časovej priamke).

Alan "Alabama" Smith - Pri tejto novo-zavedenej postave britskej Indy série mi stále chodí po rozume Jeffrey Dean Morgan ! Herecky je fakt dobrý v stvárnení drsných, ostrieľaných, ale tiež pomerne charizmaticky pôsobiacich záporákov. Takých tých záporáckych typov, z ktorých máte strach, že vám roztlčú tvár na prach, kým sa na ich vlastnej tvári vyníma sadistický úškrn... ale zároveň sa vedia navonok správať (či pretvarovať) ako veľmi zdvorilí a vľúdni ľudia, skrývajúc svoju vnútornú temnotu pod povrchom.

Harry Cane - austrálsky poľný pilot, skúsený s lietaním v buši. Neobyčajne talentovaný letec na dvojplošníku, a spolupracovník a známy Jonesa a jeho parťákov od udalostí filmu Dúhový had. TKe´dže sme na začiatku 21. storočia (prvá polovica prvej dekády) a scenár si vyžaduje podhodnoteného austrálskeho herca, môj návrh znie Eric Bana. Vďaka účasti v alternatívnom Indym by sa mohol vyhnúť role v Hulk-ovi Anga Leeho, takže by si v istom zmysle vydýchol !

Emma, Indyho nebohá manželka - seen only in flashbacks, since Indy's a very young widower by the time of the first film. Played by a then-basically-unknown Louise Brealey. It's the sort of role I can imagine her in easily. She's not a typically attractive actress and she'd fit the sweet and no-bullshit woman Jones Jr. grew fond of during WWI and afterward, only to lose her far too soon. Marion would be the first time Indy's gotten over Emma.

Matilda "Tilda" Jonesová - Indyho mladšia sestra. Bola by priebežne sa objavujúcou postavou, najmä v scénach odohrávajúcich sa doma v Spojenom kráľovstve. Claire Foyová herecky debutovala počas druhej polovice 1. dekády (ešte stále si živo spomínam, keď sa objavila v adaptácii Malej Doritky Dorrit a bola vnímaná ako herecký nováčik), takže mladšia Foyová ako Indyho sestra, ktorá je bratovi trochu odcudzená (a pochádza z neskoršieho manželstva Jonesa st. alebo nejakého jeho mimomanželského pomeru) by mohla byť zaujímavým doplnkom celkového obsadenia. Predstavujem si, že Jones st. ju pomenoval podľa cisárovnej Matildy.

Ďalšie úvahy o hercoch (britských i amerických) v rôznych vedľajších a záporných rolách:

Daniel Craig - viem si ho predstaviť v jednom z pokračovaní, ale ako slizkého britského zloducha. Keď sa to tak vezme, mohol by byť dobrou potenciálnou anglickou obdobou Belloq-a, alebo podobných záporákov.

Mark Sheppard - ako nejaký prefíkaný, hláškujúci, cockney nárečie melúci šmelinár, ktorý pracuje pre Indyho ako príležitostný informant, keď je Indy doma v Británii.

Benedict Cumberbatch - ako zlovestne pôsobiaci, hrozivý záporák. V čase jeho hereckého debutu v jednom z neskorších pokračovaní.

Ron Perlman - hral by nejakú postavu amerického pôvodu, ale priateľskú. Nehral by záporáka.

Hrala už Keira Knightleyová nejaké záporné roly ? Na žiadne si nepamätám. Predstavme si ju, ako hrá postavu á la "anglická ruža", ktorá predstiera, že je ranená labuť, a snaží sa tým obmäkčiť Indyho a záskať si jeho sympatie, aby jej pomohol s nejakou mysterióznym britským prípadom... ale dopadne to tak, že s ním vybabre a Indy skončí v pasci. Indy potom cez zaťaté zuby ticho nadáva, že jej naletel a ľutuje, že jej dôveroval. (Taktiež sa tu dá zakomponovať vedľajšia dejová zápletka ohľadom toho, že k nej Marion pociťuje určitú žiarlivosť.)

Gemma Chanová - mohla by sa objaviť vo filme-pokračovaní odohrávajúcom sa v Tibete, ako jednorazová, hosťujúca čínska postava v danom príbehu. Hrala by nejakú ostrieľanú čínsku pani, ktorá pracuje ako pašeráčka medzi Tibetom a jedným z čínskych povstaleckých štátov počas čínskej občianskej vojny v 20. rokoch 20. storočia.

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Podtón a záverečné poznámky

Takto by som ja stvárnil britského Indyho.  Iróniou je, že jeho "origin story" (t.j. ako sa stal tou postavou, ktorú poznáme) naplno začína jedným dobrodružstvom v Spojených štátoch. Osobný vývin britského Indyho v úplne prvom filme by ho postupne preniesol z roviny trochu uzavretého a svetom unaveného archeologického nerda aj do roviny odvážneho dobrodruha a obrancu nevinných a utláčaných (aj v ďalších príbehoch by často pomáhal rôznym miestnym domorodcom po celom svete, odolávať rôznym skorumpovaným hajzlom alebo šialencom holdujúcim rasizmu alebo pseudovede).

Jedným z veľkých rozdielov britského Indyho oproti reálnej americkej verzii je to, že hoci je prevažnú väčšina času stále pochabou dobrodružnou zábavou, ktorá sa neberie prehnane vážne, scenáristi a filmári série sa vyhýbajú včleňovaniu otvorene nadprirodzených alebo vedecko-fantastických prvkov do série. Ide to ruka v ruke s jednou z hlavných tém série, zdravým skepticizmom. Skeptický prístup k rôznym záhadám sa opakovane ukáže ako správny. Na druhej strane, v sérii sú niektoré z lokalít alebo pokladov sfiktívnené alebo čisto fiktívne. Naprieč touto britskou franšízou sa vyskytujú aj záhadné, tajomné chvíle, v štýle "magického realizmu", ale odpoveď na to, či boli skutočné alebo len rôzne triky pohrávajúce sa s ľudskou mysľou, je zámerne vždy vágna a neurčitá.

Taktiež, hoci je môj britský Indy pulpový, zbytočne to nepreháňa až do krajnosti. (Ak chcete nejakú konkrétnejšiu predstavu, tak si pomyslite na nejakú dobrodružnejšie či akčnejšie stvárnenie epizódy Poirot-a v nejakej zámerne exotickej lokalite. To skôr, než kompletne prehnaný, kompletne komiksový pulp.) Okrem biča si so sebou britský Indy nosí aj klasický revolver Webley.

Samozrejme, hudobne som ponechal Williamsa, pretože je skrátka príliš ťažké úplne oddeliť jeho hudbu od Indianu Jonesa. Okrem neho počítam aj s niekoľkými britskými skladateľmi a ich príspevkami. A samozrejme, určite ste si všimli, že som urobil množstvo očividných malých narážok smerom k dielam inšpirovaným našou reálnou franšízou o Jonesovi. Myslím si, že je to dosť trefné, pretože reálny Indiana Jones je mediálnou značkou, ktorá sama (niekedy ironicky až parodicky) čerpala inšpiráciu z rôznych existujúcich filmov a diel s podobnou tematikou.