"The Real Story: Indiana Jones" Or, At Least That's What They Claim

The Real Story: Indiana Jones (2009)

The Story:

The Smithsonian Channel began a series in 2009 where they looked at the behind the scenes real-life stories that may have inspired some of Hollywood's biggest hits. From the first season, a look at the stories that may have inspired Indiana Jones.

While George Lucas and Steven Spielberg say that Indiana Jones was a throwback to the movie serials of the 30s and 40s, apparently those serials were inspired by Roy Chapman Andrews, adventurous archaeologist.  While his were purely scientific endeavors, a German scholar, Otto Rahn spent his life searching for the Holy Grail.

Through recreations and archival footage, the show makes a case that these were the real inspirations, whether Lucas or Spielberg knew it or not.

Again, not a bad show, but a lot of repetition of stock footage and the same facts throughout the 43 minute run time.  I suppose with commercials, this works, but going from start to finish without a bathroom or kitchen break... this show should be paced at 30 minutes.

:)

Now streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: C

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was good.  I may give another shot or two at some of their other episodes.