The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Volume Three – The Years of Change

So here we are again with a third collection of episodes from The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles television series. This final series is called Years Of Change. Most of the episodes and features deal with the span of years between the World Wars. The 20’s were indeed an inventive time when people like Thomas Edison were at their peak. Peace was at hand, and no one really knew for how little time it would last. Most people had extra money and life was one big party. From our 21^st Century hindsight, we know it was all doomed to come crashing down before the decade ended, but for most people at that moment life was good. Indy gets himself in some rather unlikely positions in this set. I can’t imagine him getting involved in a film production, but there it is. This set completes the trilogy of releases, and you now have every Young Indy adventure filmed. This is also the set you’ve been waiting for, as it features Harrison Ford’s single appearance in the show as Indy at 50 years old. It’s a bookend type of appearance, but it sure is nice to see old Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones for what we expected back then was the final time.

Like most folks I was skeptical. Could Indy be played by anyone other than Harrison Ford? What about those pesky network budgets and censors? As the series played out, I made another discovery. Indiana Jones was now an American icon. He was our James Bond, and just as 007 had survived many incarnations, so too could Indy. As long as the actor remained faithful to the part and the production lived up to tradition, Indy could live far beyond Harrison Ford. As Temple Of Doom proved, even with Ford, quality is never certain. The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones was certainly different, but I have to say that I did experience some of that spirit of high adventure I did back in June of 1981.

A couple of things you need to know about this set. First the name change. The original series was called The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. The reason this set is not a traditional season set is because it does not present episodes in the order they were aired. The reason for the name change is that this is not exactly the old television series either. Each film in the set is made up of two episodes from the series blended into one new interwoven adventure. This was done some time ago when this material was first released on VHS years ago. The format takes a little getting used to, but the edits are carefully done and, for the most part, these newer versions run pretty smoothly.

Indy is played by Sean Patrick Flannery, who doesn’t have the same flare River Phoenix had as a young Indy in The Last Crusade. He’s not always as assertive as we’ve come to expect from our Indy, but he does manage to get himself into a lot of jams. This series ends up involving Indy in many historical events that, while it stretches credibility beyond belief, offers some very interesting backdrops for adventure. The series was shot in locations all over the globe, from Africa to Europe and here in the United States. The show always attempted to educate by including many references in each episode. The time period settings were always very well done, particularly considering the budget restrictions. Many of the shows are more mystery than archaeology, again expanding the types of adventures Indy can have. There are the expected romantic leads that are played out in true Indy fashion. Lloyd Owen played Indy’s father Henry Jones, but man, I think Sean Connery spoiled that part for anyone who might attempt to come after him. The fact remains that the spirit of Indiana Jones lives in these episodes, remarkably more than you would expect from a television series and other actors in the Indy role. The pace is a bit slower for an Indy adventure with a lot more talking heads. Even the attempts to bring in so many historical figures get stretched a bit, but the effort is a good one and long overdue in getting the DVD treatment.

Video

Each episode of the series is presented in its original broadcast full frame format. I would have loved to see these things wide, and sources tell me they were filmed in such a way that wide presentations are entirely possible. For now we have these versions, and except for the format, they are rather nice presentations just the same. Colors are vivid when need be and appropriately subdued when called for. There is at times some grain that is easily forgiven. Black levels are rather nice, particularly for television transfers. I could find no significant print flaws or compression artifact. Bit rates almost never fall below a solid 5 mbps. Now, the bonus features are a different story. Some of this footage goes back to the beginning of the 20^th century and is by necessity quite rough in every aspect. Take the “better to have rough footage than nothing at all” attitude here, and you’ll be fine.

Audio

The Dolby Digital 2.0 track here is pretty much a utility effort. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it never really shines. The Indy overtures come through fine but with none of the largesse and brilliance an Indy adventure deserves. Dialog is clear and easy to understand, and frankly, I think that was the only intent with this release. Likely the VHS mixes were used, so anything more was not originally considered. Consider this typical 1990’s broadcast quality. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Special Features

All I can say is WOW! This 10 disc set continues the tradition of the previous two; it is packed with stuff. If it were packed any tighter it would likely explode on the shelves. The documentaries are newly created pieces just for this release. The discs are a bit more orderly in this set, as each contains a film and the appropriate features. I like this system better, and it’s very convenient.

I will break down each disc for you and talk about this wealth of extras in some detail.

Disc 1:

Episode: Tales Of Innocence: This film combines the episodes Northern Italy 1918 and Morocco 1917. It’s no surprise that Indy has fallen in love, but his rival for this woman is none other than a young journalist named Ernest Hemingway. Indy’s also spying again for the Allies; he tracks down a propaganda plot only to be injured and end up in Africa as a member of the French Foreign Legion.

Unhealed Wounds – The Life Of Ernest Hemingway: Hemingway’s life was one of adventure and often controversy. This 35 minute bio is one of the longest features in the entire collection. It takes a candid look at his life and the demons that appeared to populate it. His work often spoke of war and heroism, a life Hemingway attempted to live out himself. From his obsession with bullfighting to his own internal struggles leading to his suicide, the piece covers it all.

The French Foreign Legion – The World’s Most Legendary Fighting Force:  Two centuries of myth and legend have shrouded the reality of the French Foreign Legion. This 28 minute feature attempts to separate the fact from the fiction. Actual members of the unit talk about their experiences. Is the reality an even more interesting story? This feature attempts to show just that.

The Secret Life Of Edith Wharton:  Lily Bart was in search of a wealthy husband but ended up instead alone and finally dead in a boarding house. The story has almost the ring of authenticity behind it, but it was all the creation of Edith Wharton. She captivated her readers with highly sensationalized stories, often from the pages of high society. Her characters were almost instantly recognizable from that elite class. This 30 minute feature looks at her work and examines the highs and lows of her life from her public torrid affair with Morton Fullerton to her in-the-trenches reports from France during World War I. Her articles were intended as pleas to bring The United States into the war. She later took the first Pulitzer for a novel with Age Of Innocence.

Lowell Thomas – American Storyteller: Before the likes of Walter Cronkite, there was Lowell Thomas. He pioneered the early days of audio and video news. Through newsreels and the infant technology of radio, he brought dramatic stories from virtually all over the globe. He pretty much created the anchor icon followed to this day on radio and television. This nearly half hour report covers his life and most importantly his contribution to news reporting.

Disc 2:

Episode: Masks Of Evil:  This film combines the episodes Transylvania 1918 and Istanbul 1918.Indy comes face to face with Vlad The Impaler, better known as Dracula. This is one of the better episodes, and you can almost imagine Ford doing this story.

For The People, Despite The People – The Ataturk Revolution:  At the end of World War I the Ottoman Empire was to be carved up by the victorious Allies. The plan would not succeed when a young officer, Mustafa Kemal, held off the Allies even when his troops had run out of ammunition. He single-handedly shaped the nation and culture of Turkey. He abolished religious control and created a truly secular state. This half hour feature provides some background on the Ottoman Empire and chronicles the creation of Turkey by Mustafa. His determination to modernize his society has been responsible for bringing Turkey out of the Third World and into a competing society.

The Greedy Heart Of Halide Edib:  The writer Halide Edib chronicled and participated in the transformation of Turkey. Her influence assured women would be able to participate in the newly formed government. She would eventually be labeled a traitor and exiled from her country. This 28 minute piece examines her struggle and the inspiration she was to the woman in her country.

The Ottoman Empire – A World Of Difference: This 33 minute feature takes a look at the 600 year history of the Ottoman Empire. While mostly a Muslim state, religious tolerance existed for nearly 400 years in the kingdom. Eventually, however,  cultural, ethnic, and religious tensions would lead to not only violence within the Empire but an entire world at war.

Dracula – Fact And Fiction: As the title implies, this 25 minute feature looks at the myths and facts surrounding Dracula. The piece spends much of the time intercutting images of the likes of Bela Lugosi with wood carvings and other images of the original Vlad, The Impaler. Vlad was zealous Christian defender who fought the Muslims of the Ottoman Empire with a viciousness that made him loved by his kin but feared and despised by anyone unfortunate enough to be labeled his enemy. He would dine while his enemies writhed on stakes placed around his dinner table. He reportedly drank the blood of his enemies to remain youthful, at least in appearance.

Disc 3:

Episode: Treasure Of The Peacock’s Eye: This episode was not a combination of others, but rather had the same name in both formats. This episode is much more like the Harrison Ford feature films. Indy is in search of a legendary diamond believed to once be owned by Alexander The Great. Indy is racing against a one-eyed pursuer and even gets caught by cannibals. Can anyone say lunch?

Bronislaw Malinowski – God Professor: Malinowski was a Polish anthropologist who pioneered and coined the term Participant Observation. He went deep into the wilds of New Guinea to study the indigenous populations there. His methods and writings are required reading in most anthropology courses. This feature not only looks at the technique but discusses the harsh man who tried to become the Bill Gates of the science and dictate its methods.

Anthropology – Looking At The Human Condition: The piece starts out with a modern anthropologist studying the culture of low riders in the urban streets of the United States. The feature makes the point that anthropology isn’t always isolated jungles and remote people. This is a nice 24 minute overview of the science.

New Guinea – Paradise In Peril:  The islands of New Guinea are considered the last unexplored populations on Earth. The region is only now being explored, and it is discovered to be rich in natural resources like gold and oil. Naturally this begs a rather important question for the natives. They have something the outside world wants, and it could be their ticket into modern society. On the other hand, their culture and land are at risk from exploitation. This 25 minute feature does a nice job of exploring this dilemma.

Disc 4:

Episode: The Winds Of Change: This film combines the episodes Paris 1919 and Princeton 1919. Young Indy has a front seat at the Paris Peace Conference as a translator. He becomes rather disillusioned after he returns home to find prejudice rampant in the streets of America.

Disc 5:

The Best Intentions – The Paris Peace Conference And The Treaty Of Versailles:  The Treaty Of Versailles officially ended World War I but did little to solve the problems that led up to the war. This 33 minute documentary examines the negotiations and final treaty with a mind toward the mistakes and their ramifications. The victors were more concerned about the “spoils” and practiced short-sightedness in their desire to punish Germany harshly.

Woodrow Wilson – American Ideologue: When Wilson presented his famous 14 points on how to restore the world following the war, it was said in laughter that God himself had only ten. Wilson’s vision was broad, but he was unable to sell his plan even to his own country, which refused to participate in its League Of Nations. This half hour piece looks at the man and his attempt to redefine the world.

Ho Chi Minh – The Price Of Freedom: In many ways The United States served as a role model for Ho Chi Minh, who was fighting for Vietnam’s freedom from European colonization. It came as a bit of a shock when America turned him down for support, mostly because he was fighting an Ally. When he turned to communism it meant an inevitable clash with the nation he once looked upon as a savior. This 31 minute piece does a good job of being fair with the man and his struggles.

Paul Robeson – Scandalize My Name:  James Earl Jones opens this 32 minute feature by describing the first time he heard Robeson sing and speak. It was a bit interesting to hear a man so famous himself for a deep voice describe an identical one in Robeson. Robeson was labeled a communist in an effort to discredit him, a label he unfortunately refused to deny. He used his fame as an actor and singer to attempt to redefine roles most frequently given to blacks in the day. The piece is a candid examination of a man and the troubled times he existed in.

Robert Goddard – Mr. Rocket Science:  There’s no mystery why the NASA Washington D.C. facility where they experiment with cutting edge rocket technology is called the Goddard Space Flight Center. It was Robert Goddard who not only reached for the stars but invented a means of getting there. This inventor and engineer created America’s first rockets. In this 31 minute feature, even modern astronauts express tremendous respect and gratitude for the man who literally started our space program. There’s plenty of vintage footage of these early rockets.

Disc 6:

Episode: Mystery Of The Blues: This episode was not a combination of others, but rather had the same name in both formats. This is the episode that featured Harrison Ford as older Indy telling the story. This one also has it all. It’s the 1920’s and it’s Chicago. Indy’s working at a speakeasy and gets introduced to jazz’s Sidney Bechet. Who does he room with in his finally getting to college but Eliot Ness. Ness helps Indy out when he runs afoul of Al Capone himself.

Disc 7:

Jazz – The Rhythms Of Freedom:   Jazz music is a particularly American form of music. It has its roots, as did the Blues, in slavery years as a way of slaves uplifting their spirits. This 32 minute feature looks at the roots of jazz and covers some of the greatest in the field with wonderful vintage clips.

Prohibition – America On The Rocks:  When I was teaching American History, students found it incredible that there had ever been a law, let alone a constitutional amendment, outlawing booze in The United States. This 33 minute feature explores the America between the 18^th and 21^st Amendments.

Al “Scarface” Capone – The Original Gangster:  While his bloody reign over Chicago only lasted 6 years, few figures in the annuls of crime have left the mark Al Capone has. His exploits have been romanticized and became the fodder for an entire genre of films. This 28 minute feature attempts to address both Capones: the one that still graces Hollywood and the cold blooded killer who ruled over a city through fear and intimidation.

On The Trail Of Eliot Ness: Every villain has a nemesis to bring him to justice. Lex Luthor had Superman, and Moriarity had Sherlock Holmes. In the real world Al Capone had Eliot Ness and his team of Untouchables. Most of us have images of Robert Stack or Kevin Costner, depending upon your age. The real man appears very unassuming in this 29 minute feature. He was known as a rare honest man in law enforcement circles. He was given a task the FBI wouldn’t take because Hoover thought it undoable, and that was to bring down Al Capone.

Louis Armstrong – Ambassador Of Jazz: No one has ever rivaled Armstrong’s trademark voice and trumpet. Many have certainly tried, but Armstrong was one of a kind. The best part about this 32 minute tribute is the wealth of vintage sights and sounds.

Ben Hecht – The Shakespeare Of Hollywood:  Hecht was a reporter during the turmoil of 1920’s Chicago. He parlayed that experience into a successful screenwriting career in Hollywood. This piece looks at his imaginative and fresh-for-the-age style. His characters all talked in clichés, but the audience ate it up. From his breakout script His Girl Friday though the gangster films that followed, he was a prolific film writer to be sure.

Harlem’s Heroes Of World War I:  This feature examines the contribution of blacks in American warfare and particularly the exploits of the 369^th Infantry. They were one of the most decorated units in the war but were barred from marching in Paris in celebration of victory in Europe because of their race.

Disc 8

Episode: Scandal Of 1920:  This episode was not a combination of others, but rather had the same name in both formats. Indy gets to work for George Gershwin, where he deals with actor’s demands, plenty of women, and perhaps someone looking to make a killing…literally.

Tin Pan Ally – The Soundtrack Of America: Throughout American history there have been those handful of songs that define the age. In the 1920’s the arrival of affordable upright pianos created a demand for new songs and the sheet music to go with them to brighten America’s living rooms. Take Me Out To The Ballgame appears to be the centerpiece in this 31 minute feature that offers wonderful classic clips and a ton of merry Tin Pan Ally melodies.

The Wonderful Nonsense – The Algonquin Table: What started as a lark and prank became a ten year tradition. For a decade invited friends would gather for lunch and create witty observations on life around them. The result might well be the birth of American comedy.

Broadway – America’s Center Stage: The prosperity of the roaring 20’s translated to an explosion of shows on New York’s famed Broadway. This half hour piece takes a look at the eclectic shows that mirrored the optimism and free spirit of the time.

Disc 9:

Episode: Hollywood Follies: This episode was not a combination of others, but rather had the same name in both formats. Indy tries his hand at filmmaking with the help of John Ford.

Eric von Stroheim – The Profligate Genius: The era of silent films was the playground for von Stroheim. He was a self indulgent director who didn’t care what he had to do or who he had to mow over to get his vision on film. Hired and fired by all of the major film studios, von Stroheim is the controversial subject of this 33 minute feature.

The Rise Of The Moguls – The Men Who Built Hollywood:  This 26 minute feature examines the birth of the “studio system” in Hollywood. The industry worked much like an assembly line factory, cranking out films with efficiency if not always quality. This piece looks at the men and the imaginary world they created, making billions in the process.

Irving Thalberg – Hollywood’s Boy Wonder:  The most prestigious award the Academy can give is not an Oscar. In fact, the award is not even given every year. It is the Thalberg Award and is given only on the occasion of a body of quality work. It’s no surprise that both Spielberg and Lucas, who are behind the Indiana Jones films, both are recipients. The award honors Irving Thalberg, who while working at MGM elevated films beyond the bland standard fare. This 32 minute feature chronicles his amazing highs and tremendous lows.

The Work Of John Ford: John Ford could create realism on a screen like no one before or since. His production of The Grapes Of Wrath is still considered one of the most vividly real depictions ever made. His goal was to move the everyman and give him characters and stories they could not only understand but could relate to. His audience recognized the characters and circumstances from their own lives.

Disc 10:

Historical Lecture – New Goals For Old: Life between the wars is the subject of this just over an hour lecture. Much of the footage is repeated from the other features, and it can get quite dry.

There are some interactive timelines and a game, but again I had a lot of trouble getting them to work on two different PC’s. On one the DVD-ROM elements froze up my system more than once. Frankly, none of this stuff seems worth the trouble. You get plenty of value from the documentaries and episodes.

Final Thoughts

After 3 generous collections, the Young Indiana Jones Adventures come to a close. It’s fitting to get this finally complete collection in your hands just as a new chapter in the Indiana Jones story is about to begin. Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull is likely the most eagerly awaited film of the last couple of years. Until then, you can get yourself primed by watching these final stories along with some incredible historical documentaries. This collection of nearly 100 features might just be the most complete historical record yet released on DVD. These stories aren’t often the high flying adventure the films have been, but they are well written and executed. Still, it’s important that there was significant effort to bring us exotic locations and a little of the whip-cracking adventure we’ve come to expect. You can have tons of scripts, but remember, “It’s not what’s on the page that counts. It’s what’s up there on the screen.”