The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Treasure of the Peacock's Eye (1999)
In the eighteenth film in the series, in late 1918, the Great War may have ended, but a new adventure begins for Indy when a mysterious man's dying words send him and Remy on a thrilling treasure hunt for one of Alexander the Great's most treasured possessions. Pursued by a dangerous one-eyed man, Indy follows the trail of the diamond from London to Alexandria to the South Seas where he has a run-ins with murderous Chinese pirates, is captured by savage headhunters, and meets anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Similar titles
Reviews
Considering that these Young Indy movies were made for TV, this one is exceptional. Much as we saw in "Raiders" young Indy traveled to exotic countries in search of antiquities, often putting his fighting skills to the test. Many of the Young Indy movies were two separate segments, different stories, about 45 minutes each. But this one is a single 90-minute movie.This one begins at the very end of the war, when a soldier is shot and a German is trying to get his boots off. Indy and his friend Remy chase the German away and find a map in the dead man's boot. They believe it is a treasure map, leading to the very large diamond, called the "peacock's eye", that had belonged to Alexander the Great. So the war ends and the two friends decide to search for the diamond.Sean Patrick Flanery is of course Young Indiana Jones and Belgiam actor Ronny Coutteure is his friend Remy.The real-life anthropologist for that period is Bronislaw Malinowski, and he is featured in the final scenes in New Guinea, where Indy and Remy end up in their search for the treasure. The DVD extras has a 25-minute segment on the real Malinowski, who is credited with the modern method of studying cultures, to actually become immersed in it, speaking their language and living with them, instead of just observing them. SPOILERS: Indy and Remy did find a small square locked strong box during their searches, presumed to contain the diamond. At New Guinea they were able to use tools to open it. Inside was a rock, but it had inscriptions. Remy wanted to continue the search, but Indy realized that he did not "need" that diamond, and they might search it for the rest of their lives and never find it. So he resolved to go back to Chicago and pursue his studies, something that he really did want.
Treasure of the Peacock's Eye, Chapter 17 of the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, is the type of adventure that made Raiders of the Lost Ark so popular. Even the titles are similar! The story follows young Indy, about twenty (and played rather well by Sean Patrick Flannery), in 1919. The war is over, but Indy and friend Remy discover a treasure map on the battlefield. The map will lead to the Eye of the Peacock - Alexander the Great's fabled diamond.Also after the diamond is an eye-patched villain, a seductive femme fatale who sees Indy as her prince, and a band of ruthless pirates. It boasts inventive action sequences - for a made-for-TV movie - including a battle with a pirate ship.The ending, however, is a minor letdown. The question on whether the Eye of the Peacock is discovered or not resolved, but many believe it was featured in the opening of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.A good time!
Considering that this is a made-for-TV movie, I have to give it an 8 out of 10. Great acting, good plot, exciting actions and fun to watch. If you like Indiana Jones or Sean Patrick Flanery, you've gotta see this!
This movie was loads of fun. It's obviously made-for-TV, but still has a higher production value than most of them.The story follows a 20-year-old Indy (Flannery) and his friend Remy from the battlefields of Belgium to the South Pacific in search of a precious gem.Along the way we get to peak inside young Indy as he must decide whether it's the prize or the chase that he loves.All-in-all fun family fare. If you're a big Indy fan, I recommend this flick to add to your collection.