Ray Harryhausen on "Raiders"/Indy FX

Ray Harryhausen was here a few days ago for a film festival
in which he gave a Q&A period. During one of his replies he
was shooting down the overkill of CGI these days and mentioned
that the last movies he really remembers enjoying were "Raiders"
and "E.T.".

It made me realize that these were some of the last major
blockbuster films that used stop-motion animation (although
by 1979 the process had become "go-motion", ex. Tauntaun).
All 3 Indy films have these effects, with "Doom" leading by
a long stretch - the most effects-laden of the trilogy.

Indy Stop/Go-Motion Effects (that I can think of...)

Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Jeep and soldiers going over cliff

Temple of Doom
- Kali sacrifice victim
- Willie Scott sacrifice
- Mine shaft chase (numerous shots)

Last Crusade
- Messerschmitt 109
- Donovan's decaying head

In homage, it would be great to see one of these shots
in "Indy 4" - keeping the tone of the originals...

Harryhausen a Raiders fan?

Wow! That's awesome! I love Harryhausen's work.

Taking extreme delight hearing of other fan's choice favourites,
which of his films strike your fancy, Canyon? There are many
that make my list but I think Indy/Lara Croft fans would enjoy
"The Golden Voyage of Sinbad". (w/ cool Kali sequence).

Yeah, the Golden Voyage of Sinbad is a good one. I think my favourite has to be Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger.

I also quite like Clash of the Titans. Bubo the owl is just awesome! I also love Jason and the Argonauts because of the fighting skeletons. I always thought that skeletons made awesome enemies.

"Eye of the Tiger" your favourite? Wow...Interesting. One notable
Indy connection is that both "Last Crusade" and EOTT have location
shots from Petra in Jordan. (In particular, the Khazneh temple/tomb
where I think you've visited, Canyon).

Another Lucas connection: Peter Mayhew was the stand-in
for the Minoton/minotaur.

As for skeletons being a great enemy...Do you have the Marvel
comic series? #33 & #34 have Indy struggling with sword-wielding
skeletons who rise from the ground, in a scene seemingly inspired
by "Jason & Argonauts"!

Stoo, thanks for posting that.

I didn't know that Indy had fought skeletons in a Marvel comic, as I don't have all of those.

Speaking of skeletons, in the current Indy book I'm writing, skeletons feature in part of the story.

Here is a little bit of my story.

Medusa then let out a scream and threw her hands out towards the door that Indy and been trying to reach and almost immediately, a clippity-cloppity sound of footsteps could be heard.
Indiana Jones stared in disbelief at several skeletons which began to march over to them.
The skeletons were brandishing swords and round shields and gnashed their teeth at Indy.
Then there was a flash of light, and Medusa was gone.
?A little help here!? shouted Indy to the others as the bony figures closed in around him.
Stella, Selene, Maria, and Francesca ran out from behind the wall also brandishing swords and Francesca threw one over to Indy.
?Where did you find these?? asked Indy as he blocked a move from one of the skeletons.
?We found them hidden in a room!? yelled Selene, as she did her best to fight off one of the bony attackers.
?This is crazy!? yelled Stella. ?Dr. Jones, we?re supposed to be uncovering human remains, not fighting them!?
?Just in case you?re wondering, this doesn?t come up in the exam!? shouted the archaeologist.
Indy kicked one of the skeletons in the ribs and the creature fell to the floor, his bones smashing into pieces.
Indy gasped as another skeleton flew at him.
No-one at Barnett College would believe this.
?Indy?, began Selene, as she hit one of the skeletons on the skull with her sword. ?How on earth did you survive Medusa?s stare??
?It?s a long story sweetheart and I?ll tell you when we get out of here but right now, we?ve got a big problem.?