DAfter a thousand postponements, finally tonight May 27th on Channel 5 goes on air Indiana Jones and the Quadrant of Destiny – always with Harrison Ford (80 years old at the time, it was 2023). Directed by James Mangold, it is the fifth chapter of the character created by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Despite Ford’s age, he is perhaps the most action-packed title of the entire saga.
Indiana Jones and the Quadrant of Destiny on Canale 5 tonight 27 May, plot
In the frenetic days of the Moon Landing of July 1969Indiana Jones he is now close to retirement, but continues to work at the university. Separated from his Marion (Karen Allen), fights to stay relevant in a world that seems to have passed him by. Just when he is about to hang up his whip too, he is forced to return to action because of Helena, his goddaughter (Phoebe Waller-Bridge).
The girl is the daughter of an old friend of Indy’s who was “killed” by the obsession with the Antikythera car – also called the Quadrant of Destiny –, a mechanical device designed by Archimedes to find time holes. Half of the dial has been resting for years in the Indiana Jones archives, after having stolen it from the defeated Nazis in 1944, and Helena would like to recover the curious find to sell it at an auction in Morocco.
Tailing her, craving the same good, is Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a former Nazi who participated in the Apollo 11 project under a false name. Defeated years earlier by Indiana Jones on a moving train, the man also wants to track down the other part of the dial and travel through time changing the course of History. In all this tangle, government agent Mason (Shaunee Renette Wilson) follows the situation and he must understand which side he is on.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Harrison Ford in a scene from Indiana Jones and the Quadrant of Destiny. (Lucasfilm Ltd)
The latest adventure of an icon of action cinema
Directed by the expert James Mangold, Indiana Jones and the Quadrant of Destiny represents a surprisingly successful return for one of the most beloved adventure sagas of the history of cinema. Even though inevitably dealing with the weight of the chapters directed by Steven Spielbergthe film manages to rediscover much of the original spirit of the series. That is to say spectacular chases, archaeological mysteries, irony and that continuous sense of wonder that made Indy’s character iconic.
As always, the real strength of the film is Harrison Ford, still perfectly believable as the most famous archaeologist in cinema. An interpretation, that of the actor, who it avoids the pitfalls of what could have been a simple nostalgic exercise. The presence of Phoebe Waller-Bridge was also very successfulwho brings energy, sarcasm and dynamism alongside Ford without ever overshadowing his charisma.
James Mangold also “respects” the original material, alternating great action sequences with more melancholy momentsfocusing on the passing of time and the legacy left by heroes of the past. Even with some digital excess and perhaps an abundant duration, The Quadrant of Destiny works as a “definitive” gift to a character who has entered the collective imagination.
Predictably, it doesn’t reach the perfection of the first chapters, but it still manages the most difficult task: making the magic of Indiana Jones still feel alive. Accompanying the audience towards an exciting, spectacular saga finale and profoundly human.
Where it was filmed in Italy Indiana Jones and the Quadrant of Destiny
For this new adventure of the archaeologist, the production has once again chosen Italy as the setting for some of the film’s most evocative sequences. This is not an absolute novelty for the saga: already in 1989, in fact, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusadethe third chapter of the series, brought the crew and protagonists to the streets and canals of Venice.
For the fifth episode, filming of which took place in 2021, attention has instead shifted towards Southern Italy, and in particular to Sicily, a land rich in history, myths and testimonies of Magna Graecia. The timeless atmosphere of the island provided the ideal backdrop for new adventures. Between ancient temples, Mediterranean landscapes and archaeological sites of extraordinary charm.
The main locations include the archaeological area of Segesta and various locations in the province of Trapanibut the filming also involved symbolic cities of the island such as Palermo, Marsala, Cefalù and Syracuse. Right here, inside the famous Ear of Dionysus, the fascinating cave dug into the limestoneMangold and associates have transformed the monument into a mysterious underground mine. Keeper of an ancient and incredible secret.
