The return of Indiana Jones The wait is over
Fans inspired by Jones' adventures in history
Posted: Thursday, May 22, 2008
Grant Hanstein, right, holds a Holy Grail he crafted as he and Branden Boe talk about their love of the Indiana Jones movies. (Staff photo by Tim Hynds)
It's been a long time since Indiana Jones last graced the silver screen.
So long that some of his most avid fans have been introduced to the movies through video or DVD.
Grant Hanstein, 23, first discovered he had a jones for the character introduced by Harrison Ford in 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" after catching the film with his parents on HBO at the age of 4.
"Here's a guy who was brave and had adventures and got to save the world," Hanstein said. "What kid wouldn't want to aspire to that?"
Leading up to today's official Siouxland release of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," Hanstein and fellow fanatic Braden Boe, also 23, prepared with a marathon of movies starting with "Raiders," and continuing with "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984), "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989) and the TV series "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," which aired from 1992-1996.
But nothing could likely prepare him for his first Jones experience in the theater.
"Up until this point, my only exposure to the character has been on video," Hanstein stated. "This will mark the first time I'll be able to see Indiana Jones on the big screen."
Hanstein doesn't limit his fanaticism to Indiana Jones; the LeMars resident is also a "Star Wars" fan and collector. He started his Jones collection at age 12 with action figures and other smaller items. Soon, Hanstein's collection began to include books, board games, video games, props used in the movies, even pop cans bearing the likeness of the world's most famous archeologist.
Also important to the details-driven Hanstein is dressing the part of his cinematic hero.
"Don't call this a costume," he warned as he showed off his Indiana Jones-themed apparel's different components. "It's my gear. My jacket isn't just a leather jacket. It's an aviator jacket. This isn't a purse I'm wearing. It's a satchel."
"That's the same type of satchel British soldiers carried their gas masks in during World War II," Boe interjected.
The only thing missing from Hanstein's ensemble is Indiana Jones' signature bullwhip.
"I have it back ordered," Hanstein said. "Hopefully, it's in the mail."
The crowning part of attaining the Indiana Jones look is the distinctively tall-crowned, wide-brimmed fedora Harrison Ford wears in all of the movies. Hanstein said his hat was made by the same people who constructed Ford's fedora.
"The construction and the stitching is impeccable," he said as he doffed his hat.
Wardrobe considerations aside, Boe and Hanstein both said Indiana Jones has left a lasting impression on their lives.
"I have an associates degree in film making from Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla.," said Boe, who currently works at KCAU-TV. "Yup, I want to be (Indiana Jones' producer and director, respectively) George Lucas or Steven Spielberg when I grow up."
Hanstein said the Indiana Jones movies inspired him to pursue an interest in history. A 2007 Briar Cliff University graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, Hanstein hopes to some day work in a museum.
Um ... just like Indiana Jones?
"Yes, just like Indiana Jones," Hanstein said with a smile.
So long that some of his most avid fans have been introduced to the movies through video or DVD.
Grant Hanstein, 23, first discovered he had a jones for the character introduced by Harrison Ford in 1981's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" after catching the film with his parents on HBO at the age of 4.
"Here's a guy who was brave and had adventures and got to save the world," Hanstein said. "What kid wouldn't want to aspire to that?"
Leading up to today's official Siouxland release of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," Hanstein and fellow fanatic Braden Boe, also 23, prepared with a marathon of movies starting with "Raiders," and continuing with "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984), "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" (1989) and the TV series "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles," which aired from 1992-1996.
But nothing could likely prepare him for his first Jones experience in the theater.
"Up until this point, my only exposure to the character has been on video," Hanstein stated. "This will mark the first time I'll be able to see Indiana Jones on the big screen."
Hanstein doesn't limit his fanaticism to Indiana Jones; the LeMars resident is also a "Star Wars" fan and collector. He started his Jones collection at age 12 with action figures and other smaller items. Soon, Hanstein's collection began to include books, board games, video games, props used in the movies, even pop cans bearing the likeness of the world's most famous archeologist.
Also important to the details-driven Hanstein is dressing the part of his cinematic hero.
"Don't call this a costume," he warned as he showed off his Indiana Jones-themed apparel's different components. "It's my gear. My jacket isn't just a leather jacket. It's an aviator jacket. This isn't a purse I'm wearing. It's a satchel."
"That's the same type of satchel British soldiers carried their gas masks in during World War II," Boe interjected.
The only thing missing from Hanstein's ensemble is Indiana Jones' signature bullwhip.
"I have it back ordered," Hanstein said. "Hopefully, it's in the mail."
The crowning part of attaining the Indiana Jones look is the distinctively tall-crowned, wide-brimmed fedora Harrison Ford wears in all of the movies. Hanstein said his hat was made by the same people who constructed Ford's fedora.
"The construction and the stitching is impeccable," he said as he doffed his hat.
Wardrobe considerations aside, Boe and Hanstein both said Indiana Jones has left a lasting impression on their lives.
"I have an associates degree in film making from Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla.," said Boe, who currently works at KCAU-TV. "Yup, I want to be (Indiana Jones' producer and director, respectively) George Lucas or Steven Spielberg when I grow up."
Hanstein said the Indiana Jones movies inspired him to pursue an interest in history. A 2007 Briar Cliff University graduate with a bachelor's degree in history, Hanstein hopes to some day work in a museum.
Um ... just like Indiana Jones?
"Yes, just like Indiana Jones," Hanstein said with a smile.
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