30 Great Indiana Jones Moments

The posters are right - "adventure" only has one name and it is Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford's performance as the tough, humorous, intelligent, slightly cynical archaeologist is undoubtedly one of his best. However, Indy can only function as a character if he has some seriously interesting and compelling adventures to journey upon, be it a mission to secure the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis or uncover a Thuggee conspiracy deep beneath the catacombs of an ancient palace.

He's seen a lot of things, seduced a lot of women and taken out a bundle of bad guys, so here are some of his greatest personal moments... the ones that justify Indiana Jones as one of the best heroes to have ever taken to the screen. I had to round it down to 30, so, if I've missed some of your personal favourites, let me know. Spoilers within!

1. The Introduction, Raiders of the Lost Ark

A character like Indy needs a memorable introduction, and boy does he get one. After following our fedora-wearing adventurer through the South American undergrowth, it is revealed that one of his "guides" is not very trustworthy - he has decided to bump off the archaeologist for one reason or another. He raises the pistol, cocks it and... that's all Indy needs. He spins, lifts his whip and strikes, sending his terrified, backstabbing companion running into the rain forest as the pistol flies pathetically into the river. Then, accompanied by John William's bold score, he steps out of the shadows and reveals himself. Here he is, boys and girls - Indiana Jones... and yes, he can handle himself.

2. The Grin, Raiders of the Lost Ark

After throwing his second untrustworthy companion the Idol of Fertility in exchange for the iconic bullwhip he uses so very often, Indy finds himself in a bit of a pickle. Sapito hasn't thrown him the whip - instead, he's thrown it to the ground on the other side of a seemingly bottom pit and Indy has no choice but to jump if he wants to get out alive. He does so, just managing to grip the edge of the hole. It's not looking good until... yes! Indy's grabbed a vine and with it he can pull himself up! Clutching it, he grins widely... it's this grin that says, Ha, I'm one lucky son of a bitch and I know it. It's classic Ford stuff. Too bad the vine almost snaps a second later, huh?

3. The Boulder, Raiders of the Lost Ark

It had to be on the list somewhere. Perhaps the most famous of all Indiana Jones moments, it sees our archaeologist friend on the path to freedom when suddenly... ruummbble... a huge boulder rolls out from above and begins to tumble after him. He runs, stumbles and dives just in the nick of time! This is the part that everybody who hasn't seen Indiana Jones references: "Indiana Jones? Oh, that movie with the boulder chase, right?" It sure is, and it's one of those golden moments in cinema because it finishes off the epic opening sequence perfectly. "Adios, Sapito!"

4. The Swing, Raiders of the Lost Ark

That darn French archaeologist Belloq! As Indy flees from the Hovitos, he yells for his Air Pirate buddy Jock to start the engine. Indy leaps down onto the riverbank and scrambles for whatever he can get, clutching onto a conveniently-placed vine (another vine, wow!) and swings almost clumsily into the water. There's a few reasons why this moment is so excellent. Firstly, we are shown Indy's established way of making things up as he goes and we see that he's just a man, so everything doesn't have to look perfect. Secondly, as he glides through the air, we are introduced for the first time to a little piece of music that, soon enough, would be recognised all over the world as... The Raiders March.

5. The Professor, Raiders of the Lost Ark

The sudden revelation that Indiana Jones is... what? A university professor? is something that makes the character even more wonderful. He's an intellectual, but in his spare time Dr. Jones is out on dangerous adventures risking his life in the pursuit of "rare antiquities". Seeing Indiana Jones with his hair combed, glasses on and shirt tucked neatly in to his pants gives us the classic formula of a character living a "double life." It's not used as an important plot device as it is in say, Superman, but us as audiences members being suddenly made aware of our hero as a professor and an adventurer - it's fantastic! Plus, all the girls are attracted to him, it seems. Lucky guy.

6. The Swordsman, Raiders of the Lost Ark

Another iconic and well-remembered Indy moment, on par with the legendary boulder chase. Marion's been kidnapped and Indy's on a frantic search to find her through the busy Cairo streets. Suddenly, he finds himself in a crowd of peasants... they part ways and reveal a new foe, a deadly-looking swordsman in black. He grins, swinging a huge sword, ready to take Indy on. Indy gives him a I haven't got time look and pulls out his pistol - blam! The peasants cheer as Indy races off, having thought nothing of it at all. How cool.