Harrison Ford Did One Thing In Indiana Jones That No Action Hero Has Matched In Over 40 Years

Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones pulled a move so perfect in Raiders of the Lost Ark that no other action movie has topped him since. There's an alternate universe where Tom Selleck fronted the Indiana Jones movie franchise, as George Lucas resisted the idea of Harrison Ford playing the role. Thankfully, we don't live in that universe - with no disrespect intended to Mr Selleck.

With the original Steven Spielberg movie, Ford not only cemented himself as a movie star, he also pioneered a new type of action hero. Indy might punch and shoot with the best of them, but he's just as often using his smarts or wits to get out of trouble. Part of the fun of the series is seeing Jones problem-solve, and while he might be tough, the multiple injuries he collects through the films make him feel more relatable and human.

Following the emotional ending of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Ford has officially retired from the role. It's inevitable that, someday, the property will be dusted off with a new actor, but for now, producers have the good sense to let the character rest. While Indy has had lots of iconic moments, shooting the swordsman in Raiders of the Lost Ark comes out on top.

Indiana Jones Shooting The Swordsman Is A Perfect Action Movie Moment

For context, this moment comes around the midpoint of the movie, where Indy is running through a Cairo market desperately searching for the kidnapped Marion (Karen Allen). During the chase, the crowd suddenly parts to reveal an imposing swordsman (Terry Richards), who puts on an impressive display with his blade. An exhausted Indiana Jones just has no time or patience for this and abruptly pulls out his revolver, shooting the assassin dead.

This, of course, wasn't the original plan, as Indy and the swordsman were supposed to have a whip vs sword battle in the market. Despite this Raiders of the Lost Ark sequence having been thoroughly rehearsed, Ford's suggestion to Spielberg of "Why don't we just shoot the ****er?" instead of filming another elaborate battle led to an iconic moment. In addition to being hilarious and cool, it also fits Indy's level-headed, pragmatic approach to problems.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark's BTS Story Makes The Moment Even Better

At this point in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana needs to find Marion and has no time for the swordsman's BS, so he solves that issue with one bullet. This moment famously came about due to Ford and many members of the crew suffering from dysentery during filming, with the actor frequently having to run back and forth to the restroom during filming.

A physically intensive battle shot over the course of many days probably didn't sound like much fun, which led to Ford's suggestion that Indy solve the problem quickly. The sword vs whip fight might have made for a great setpiece, but Jones pulling out his gun is so much better while doubling as a nice character beat. Knowing it came from a place of desperation for its leading man just makes it funnier.

Indiana Jones Still Stands Apart From Other Action Heroes

On many levels, Indiana Jones is a one-of-one. He's up there with the best action protagonists ever created, being a history dork who happens to have a great right hook. He can be clumsy both physically and in his love life, but his heart is always in the right place, and he'll always stand up against evil.

While Die Hard's John McClane is often credited with popularizing the vulnerable everyman hero during the 1980s, Raiders of the Lost Ark got there seven years earlier. Jones often has to push past his own pain barrier and physical limitations to succeed, and unlike many other action stars, Ford isn't afraid to show the title character experiencing pain or fear.

That's what makes Ford so special as an actor, and Indiana Jones so beloved as a character. Shooting the swordsman in Raiders of the Lost Ark only underlines this - even if its origin was its leading man needing to stick close to the toilet.

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  Movie(s) Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

  TV Show(s) The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

  Video Game(s) Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

  First Film Raiders of the Lost Ark

  First TV Show The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

  Genres Action, Adventure

  Created by George Lucas, Indiana Jones is an action-adventure franchise that began with 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark. The series follows Dr. Henry "Indiana" Jones, Jr., an archaeologist who adventures across the world as he faces off against the likes of Nazis and other groups bent on collecting ancient artifacts of power. Seeking to preserve history, Jones races against his incidental foes to stop them from conquering - or destroying- the world.