We’ve seen it all. Someone thinks Indiana Jones is “message free”
There are a lot of things you can say about movies from the 80s. But one thing that I don’t think really applies to most films from that decade is that they’re removed from politics or subliminal messaging. And yet people seem to find a way…
The latest comes from a British Olympian who said that she enjoyed watching the Indiana Jones movies because they were “message free.” Yes, you read that right. Indiana Jones, going to foreign lands and putting artifacts where they belong, all in the name of stopping Nazi Germany is what Sharron Davies considers to be “message free” entertainment.
“Making my way through all the Indiana Jones movies on Netflix remembering the days when movies (& movie stars) were fabulous ‘message free’ entertainment & escapism.” You know, the franchise where Indiana Jones himself punches literal Nazis on screen. That “message free” version of escapism.
Take the punching Nazis out of it and I’d like to point out some other things about Indiana Jones that are not “message free.” His need to protect history is a direct commentary on the Nazi Party’s desire to destroy it. But sure, if you ignore the literal Nazi flags references in something, you can maybe just see an adventure movie but even then, there are so many themes present throughout every single Indiana Jones movie.
Which brings up a larger point: Movies are not “message free” escapism. Every movie has a point and if you don’t view them as art, then you’re part of the problem.
No movie is removed from the world around us
The idea that movies from the 80s were not dealing with harder issues is just false. Look at The Goonies. It was breaking down the issues with capitalism and the damage it does to families and young kids who have to be uprooted from their homes because of it. Sure, it is an adventure movie about a bunch of kids trying to find treasure but the cause of their dilemma is incredibly dark.
That’s what I think people like Davies and those who think movies should be “message free” miss. All these movies do have a deeper messaging and maybe you’re too lost in your own inability to understand what the film is saying to unpack it.
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