Released in 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark marked a significant milestone in cinematic history as it was crafted by visionary filmmakers George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. This film sought to reinvent the thrilling action-adventure genre of the 1930s, drawing inspiration from the classics they passionately admired. However, its debut came shortly after the revolutionary impact of Star Wars in 1977 and the release of The Empire Strikes Back in 1980—ushering in the era of blockbuster franchise films. It wasn’t long before the Indiana Jones character capitalized on this burgeoning trend.
The immediate success of Raiders led to the creation of sequels and adaptations across various media, solidifying Indiana Jones as a prominent franchise. Encompassing multiple films, television series, novels, comic books, and video games, the franchise transitioned from a singular hit to an expansive entertainment universe. Despite long gaps between installments, the franchise continues to draw interest. Recent enthusiasts may find it challenging to place the newly released adventure game, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, within the broader narrative of the franchise or to understand how it connects to key events in Indy’s storied life.
Where Does Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Fit in the Series Timeline?
1912 – Flashback Sequence from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
The narrative timeline of the franchise first returns to 1912 during the opening prologue of 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. In this sequence, a young 13-year-old Indiana Jones, portrayed by River Phoenix, faces off against grave robbers for the first time. Not only does this scene reveal the origins of Indy’s infamous whip skills and fear of snakes, but it also provides context for Harrison Ford’s real-life chin scar.
Furthermore, the early 1990s television series The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles continues Indy’s saga during his formative years from 1912 to 1920. However, its status within the current canon remains ambiguous.
1935 – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
Chronologically, 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom serves as a prequel to Raiders of the Lost Ark. Set approximately a year before Raiders, the film showcases a 36-year-old Indy embarking on a perilous journey to India accompanied by Willie Scott and Short Round. Together, they confront a sinister plot involving the mystical Sankara Stones, ultimately thwarting a villainous scheme.
1936 – Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark is seminal to the franchise, introducing audiences to a 37-year-old Indiana Jones on his thrilling pursuit of the legendary Ark of the Covenant. In this narrative, Indy reunites with Marion Ravenwood, the daughter of his mentor Abner Ravenwood, reigniting a previously dormant romance. The film’s emotional climax is characterized by a heated confrontation where Marion confronts Indy about his sudden abandonment. Their journey leads them to rekindle their relationship as they face numerous obstacles together, ultimately walking into the sunset in shared commitment.
1937 – Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Set approximately a year following the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle opens with a nostalgic recap that invites players to control Indy during the iconic Temple of the Golden Idol sequence. As they navigate peril, familiar voices from Raiders echo in the background.
Indy later awakens in his office at Marshall College, revealing emotional turmoil as he reflects on having left Marion merely a week before their anticipated wedding. His expedition in Siwa to uncover an ancient cat mummy led to Marion’s departure from his life, creating a vacuum of longing and regret.
This adventure occurs just one year prior to the complex narrative of The Last Crusade, in which Indy reconciles with his father on a quest for the Holy Grail. This timeline situates The Great Circle twenty years before the events of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and thirty-two years prior to Dial of Destiny.
Leave a Reply