the tank chase

[Robyn]

I've fallen asleep on more than one occasion during the tank chase from the LC, I find that scene so incredibly boring, and others say the same thing, but what could have made the tank chase less boring and more exciting? Is it because it's just too long or is there just not enough action? Sorry if this has already been discussed but I was just wondering how they could have made that part a lot better..

[brookystreet]

The only 'Indy' action I disliked in TLC was the plane chase ;)

The tank chase is probably te longest action scene in the series running a good 10mins. Personally I thought it was well done except for the crap 'half-a-second' of 'Vogel' falling to his death :rolleyes:

The main reason I like the old Indy films is that all the action was done for real. Sure TLC had a few scenes like the plane chase (mentioned above) which was mainly computerised but just look at the boat chase in Venice :cool:

[Lonsome_Drifter]

That scene was by far one of my favorite scene in any of the movies. More action? Hell, we had Indy riding a horse around a tank, jumping on the tank, fighting off multiple nazis, while his dad and Marcus were down below.
Hanging on to a cannon muzzle, trying to save his dad and fight off Vogel at the same time.

[The Man]

I've fallen asleep on more than one occasion during the tank chase from the LC, I find that scene so incredibly boring, and others say the same thing, but what could have made the tank chase less boring and more exciting? Is it because it's just too long or is there just not enough action? Sorry if this has already been discussed but I was just wondering how they could have made that part a lot better..

Does the jungle 'chase' in Skull have you on the edge of your seat..?

[Jorbex]

Sorry to disagree, but I think the tank chase is an excellent sequence, just like all the other chases in the Indy movies.

[Darth Vile]

I actually think the tank chase from TLC is one of the best physical (as in not visual/special effects), set pieces of modern action/adventure movies. The only element that perhaps isn't as good as the rest, being very critical, is some of the Henry Jones Senior/Marcus stuff inside the tank... but the rest is almost perfect.

[Robyn]

That scene was by far one of my favorite scene in any of the movies. More action? Hell, we had Indy riding a horse around a tank, jumping on the tank, fighting off multiple nazis, while his dad and Marcus were down below.
Hanging on to a cannon muzzle, trying to save his dad and fight off Vogel at the same time.

Actually you're all right, it can't be the amount of action, cause there is plenty of that, it really is well done, I can't figure out why that scene puts me to sleep... I guess it's just because it's too long and kind of slow

[Robyn]

Nothing had me on the edge of my seat like the truck chase in Raiders, that scene to me was so exciting, the tank chase didn't come close to the excitement of the truck chase.. but maybe it's just me

Don't get me wrong though, I do love TLC! Just the tank chase is one of my least fav action scenes

[Morning Bell]

I think the tank chase is superb and easily one of my favorite moments in LC. I think some people may have an issue with it because the tank is slower-moving when compared to the trucks and mine carts. It's a great action piece just done in a bit different manner.

[Robyn]

I think the tank chase is superb and easily one of my favorite moments in LC. I think some people may have an issue with it because the tank is slower-moving when compared to the trucks and mine carts. It's a great action piece just done in a bit different manner.

Yeah you're right, it's gotta be the slowness of the tanks

[The Magic Rat]

I've fallen asleep on more than one occasion during the tank chase from the LC, I find that scene so incredibly boring, and others say the same thing, but what could have made the tank chase less boring and more exciting? Is it because it's just too long or is there just not enough action? Sorry if this has already been discussed but I was just wondering how they could have made that part a lot better..

Blasphemy!

[What Truck?]

Overall, I love the tank chase, and consider it the second best action sequence in the original trilogy. However, there are problems with the scene, and I feel the following additions/alterations would have greatly improved the chase:

1. A one-on-one fist fight between Vogel and Indy after Sallah rescues Henry Sr. Some good old fashioned slugging between these two would have been far better than the head slamming in the final version (although that was awesome in its own special way)

2. Longer shoot-out between Vogel and Indy/shot of Vogel running out of ammo in his luger. It always bothered me how short this moment was - especially since it's featured on the poster. Great idea, but the execution left a little to be desired, in my opinion.

3. Better continuity with the two troop transports featured in the chase. The last time we see troop carrier number one, it is still fully intact with a final German soldier waiting to attack Indy. This vehicle is then promptly lost in the scene's choreography.

4. More defined action between Vogel and Indy during the chain choke. I felt more could have been done with this portion with the fight, and the long period of time Indy's airway is being obstructed leads me to believe one of two things: either Vogel is weaker than he appears or Indy's neck is made of iron!

Oh, and as an aside to ronicle - I understand how you feel about the tank chase. For a long time I was bored by it as well, but after repeated viewings, something changed. I think your lack of enjoyment may stem from the fact that you are looking for quick, visceral action (ala the truck chase from Raiders) in a scene designed to deliver deliberate, character based drama. Try viewing the tank sequences as a 'sandbox' event, wherein all the characters' conflicting personalities and motivations are allowed to clash on an epic scale.

I think this difference in perspective will make the scene much more enjoyable for you - honestly, I don't think the tank fight and the truck chase are even comparable due to their vastly different tones and purposes within their respective scripts. Happy viewing!:gun:

[Robyn]

Overall, I love the tank chase, and consider it the second best action sequence in the original trilogy. However, there are problems with the scene, and I feel the following additions/alterations would have greatly improved the chase:

1. A one-on-one fist fight between Vogel and Indy after Sallah rescues Henry Sr. Some good old fashioned slugging between these two would have been far better than the head slamming in the final version (although that was awesome in its own special way)

2. Longer shoot-out between Vogel and Indy/shot of Vogel running out of ammo in his luger. It always bothered me how short this moment was - especially since it's featured on the poster. Great idea, but the execution left a little to be desired, in my opinion.

3. Better continuity with the two troop transports featured in the chase. The last time we see troop carrier number one, it is still fully intact with a final German soldier waiting to attack Indy. This vehicle is then promptly lost in the scene's choreography.

4. More defined action between Vogel and Indy during the chain choke. I felt more could have been done with this portion with the fight, and the long period of time Indy's airway is being obstructed leads me to believe one of two things: either Vogel is weaker than he appears or Indy's neck is made of iron!

Oh, and as an aside to ronicle - I understand how you feel about the tank chase. For a long time I was bored by it as well, but after repeated viewings, something changed. I think your lack of enjoyment may stem from the fact that you are looking for quick, visceral action (ala the truck chase from Raiders) in a scene designed to deliver deliberate, character based drama. Try viewing the tank sequences as a 'sandbox' event, wherein all the characters' conflicting personalities and motivations are allowed to clash on an epic scale.

I think this difference in perspective will make the scene much more enjoyable for you - honestly, I don't think the tank fight and the truck chase are even comparable due to their vastly different tones and purposes within their respective scripts. Happy viewing!:gun:

I totally agree with all the additions/alterations you made! and what you say at the end too, I'm going to look at the tank chase differently now, I really do want to enjoy that scene, thanks for tips! :hat:

[Morning Bell]

Oh, and as an aside to ronicle - I understand how you feel about the tank chase. For a long time I was bored by it as well, but after repeated viewings, something changed. I think your lack of enjoyment may stem from the fact that you are looking for quick, visceral action (ala the truck chase from Raiders) in a scene designed to deliver deliberate, character based drama. Try viewing the tank sequences as a 'sandbox' event, wherein all the characters' conflicting personalities and motivations are allowed to clash on an epic scale.

This is a good point. The tank chase focuses not only on Indy but on his dad and Marcus as well. The truck chase in Raiders was all about Indy, which may be one of the reasons why it's so intense. In the tank chase we have two different stories going on at the same time with Indy/Sallah and Henry/Marcus. That may slow things down a little bit but it's necessary to give them time to develop and to show the different aspects of the situations they face.

[oki9Sedo]

A one-on-one fist fight between Vogel and Indy after Sallah rescues Henry Sr. Some good old fashioned slugging between these two would have been far better than the head slamming in the final version (although that was awesome in its own special way)

They'd done the straight-out fistfight in Raiders and Temple of Doom and handling the Vogel/Indy showdown the way they did kept things very fresh, I think.

He's a different kind of fighter.

[WillKill4Food]

Sorry to disagree, but I think the tank chase is an excellent sequence, just like all the other chases in the Indy movies.
Same here, with the exception of KotCS. I wasn't very fond of any of the action sequences in it, except for perhaps the warehouse scene.

[What Truck?]

@ oki9Sedo

They'd done the straight-out fistfight in Raiders and Temple of Doom and handling the Vogel/Indy showdown the way they did kept things very fresh, I think.

I don't disagree with anything you said. Perhaps I should clarify the intent of my original content: I wouldn't want a prolonged fist fight (Raiders/Temple), just a few extra punches to extend the scene. As you pointed out, Vogel is a different kind of fighter.

He uses his environment and his subordinates to compensate for a lack of direct physical strength. This cunning and an edge of gleeful nastiness is what sets Vogel apart from other Indy villains, and I wouldn't want this altered by having him be Dr. Jones' equal. Having said this, however, I think it would have been perfectly in character for Vogel to get in a few punches before going down for good.

The shot of him struggling back to his feet bloodied and battered is enough to prove that he's a tenacious SOB, and I feel it would only have made their final showdown better to have it progress through several phases:

1st: Vogel at the advantage, using the tank to fight Indy
2nd: Gunfight between Vogel/Indy
3rd: Indy fighting through Vogel's goons
4th: Vogel cheap shotting Indy with the shovel
5th: All obstacles and enemies cleared away, Vogel and Indy can finally go one-on-one. The head slam would have been sufficient for a random baddie (compare the sergeant in Raiders), but for a villain that has been developing a rivalry with Indy for more than half the film, I feel a little epic melee atop the tank would have worked beautifully.

Regardless of any of these nitpicks, though, I think the majority of us can agree that Vogel had a hilarious and awesome death! :dead:

[oki9Sedo]

@ oki9Sedo



I don't disagree with anything you said. Perhaps I should clarify the intent of my original content: I wouldn't want a prolonged fist fight (Raiders/Temple), just a few extra punches to extend the scene. As you pointed out, Vogel is a different kind of fighter.

He uses his environment and his subordinates to compensate for a lack of direct physical strength. This cunning and an edge of gleeful nastiness is what sets Vogel apart from other Indy villains, and I wouldn't want this altered by having him be Dr. Jones' equal. Having said this, however, I think it would have been perfectly in character for Vogel to get in a few punches before going down for good.

The shot of him struggling back to his feet bloodied and battered is enough to prove that he's a tenacious SOB, and I feel it would only have made their final showdown better to have it progress through several phases:

1st: Vogel at the advantage, using the tank to fight Indy
2nd: Gunfight between Vogel/Indy
3rd: Indy fighting through Vogel's goons
4th: Vogel cheap shotting Indy with the shovel
5th: All obstacles and enemies cleared away, Vogel and Indy can finally go one-on-one. The head slam would have been sufficient for a random baddie (compare the sergeant in Raiders), but for a villain that has been developing a rivalry with Indy for more than half the film, I feel a little epic melee atop the tank would have worked beautifully.

Regardless of any of these nitpicks, though, I think the majority of us can agree that Vogel had a hilarious and awesome death! :dead:

I was much more satisfied with the way they did it. Indy, all obstacles and distractions removed that Vogel had been taking advantage of, gets to give Vogel his full, undying attention and gives him the beatdown of all beatdowns!

I was happy to see Vogel get those head slams!

[Von Stalhein]

This cunning and an edge of gleeful nastiness is what sets Vogel apart from other Indy villains, and I wouldn't want this altered by having him be Dr. Jones' equal.What cunning? He was cleary a moron as he made several mistakes that a person of average intelligence would not have made:

He left a dangerous and resourceful individual who had just killed three of his men and had previously killed dozens in the previous film unguarded in a large room with multiple exits, rather than locking them up in the castle's dungeon.
He then intended to pursue a boat that was clearly empty. Granted, the fugitives could have gone to the other side of the river and left the boat running. Also, the fugitives did not act intelligently either by hiding in the crate for so long, rather than just escaping with the motorcycles as soon as they found them, or waiting for Vogel and his men to cross the river.
He later attempted to arrest his enemies alone and was surprised that Jones jr was right behind him as he confronted sr, even though he should have thought it likely for them to be together.
There was no reason to keep Brody or Jones sr alive once the rescue attempt had failed with Vogel and his men returning to their tank.
When Jones jr later boarded his tank, Vogel should just have shot him. If neither he nor the rest of the tank crew had any bullets left, he should have ordered the entire convoy to stop and shoot at Jones. When he attempts to strangle Jones with a chain he should simply have formed into a loop and pulled at the ends to crush his larynx, rather than just holding the chain around the front half of Jones neck and pulling it backwards.

[oki9Sedo]

Pretending to threaten to kill Elsa in order to get Indy to surrender because he thinks Elsa is with him was a clever scheme, in all fairness.

[Texas]

I think the tank the chase is awesome, and is the 2nd best action scene in the series behind the desert chase in Raiders.

[Von Stalhein]

Pretending to threaten to kill Elsa in order to get Indy to surrender because he thinks Elsa is with him was a clever scheme, in all fairness.It was also a very risky scheme; more risky than having several of his men in the same room shooting at Jones' kneecaps, for instance.

[Rocket Surgeon]

Pretending to threaten to kill Elsa in order to get Indy to surrender because he thinks Elsa is with him was a clever scheme, in all fairness.

I bet Elsa thought of it...Vogel was as Lazy as he was stupid.

[oki9Sedo]

I bet Elsa thought of it...Vogel was as Lazy as he was stupid.

I could imagine either of them coming up with it.

It was also a very risky scheme; more risky than having several of his men in the same room shooting at Jones' kneecaps, for instance.

There wasn't anybody else around except him. It was just him, Elsa, Indy and Henry Sr in the room, wasn't it?

[Von Stalhein]

I bet Elsa thought of it...Vogel was as Lazy as he was stupid.Indeed, that is likely.


There wasn't anybody else around except him. It was just him, Elsa, Indy and Henry Sr in the room, wasn't it?Elsa and him somehow anticipated that the Joneses were coming.

[Von Stalhein]

There was no reason to keep Brody or Jones sr alive once the rescue attempt had failed with Vogel and his men returning to their tank.
When Jones jr later boarded his tank, Vogel should just have shot him.
It is also likely that he wanted to draw sadistic pleasure from torturing them after he would have destroyed Jones Jr, before killing them.

[Insomniac]

That scene was by far one of my favorite scene in any of the movies. More action? Hell, we had Indy riding a horse around a tank, jumping on the tank, fighting off multiple nazis, while his dad and Marcus were down below.
Hanging on to a cannon muzzle, trying to save his dad and fight off Vogel at the same time.
I completely agree Top 5 action scene in the series.
I think it ranks...

1.Truck Chase
2.Golden Idol
3.Flying Wing
4.Cairo
5.Tank
6.Freeing the Slaves
7.Raven Bar Fight

Or something like that
:hat: