For some time, hes been asking aboutIndiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom.

But I couldnt put out of my head how I felt when I first watchedTemple Of Doom.

Still, he persisted, and over the weekend, we settled down to watch the film.

Hes had an early schooling inDoctor Who, which helped.

He liked the film, he consequently reported.

It just scared him.

I half expected him to ring Childline.

Thing is, Ive always been on the same page as him where this particular film is concerned.

Watching it again, I still think that.

I think its a muddy film, and one that gets in a few logic muddles.

Im also not convinced its core narrative is that strong (although next toCrystal Skull?

Well, you know).

Its hardly dripping too in what we now come to regard as Indiana Jones DNA.

But theres nonetheless plenty to enjoy and like, even if it is sometimes from behind the nearest cushion.

Say what you like about the film, but its uncompromising and unflinching in its approach.

Id argue it makes the likes ofThe Wolverine,The Lone RangerandWorld War Zlook tame in comparison.

So how did it come about?

There was no story in place.

Lucas told Kasdan that he wanted a story encapsulating child slavery, religion and human sacrifice.

Kasdan passed, leaving scripting duties in the hands of Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck.

Kasdan did not come to regret his decision.

But those moments are not in bountiful supply.

Whats also come to light since though is the circumstances facing the main three players in theTemple Of Doomproduction.

As Spielberg told the Sun-Sentinel back in 1989, I wasnt happy with the second film at all.

It was too dark, too subterranean, and much too horrific.

I thought it out-polteredPoltergeist.

Theres not an ounce of my own personal feeling inTemple of Doom.

Furthermore, ifTemple Of Doomfeels a bit cobbled together narratively, then thats arguably because it was.

That it hangs together as well as it does then is no small achievement.

But there are a few moments that really, really strike.

Take the whole opening 20 minutes or so.

The opening ofIndiana Jones And The Temple Of Doomis very much like that.

Then said dinghy goes over a waterfall.

Then its three occupants survive with barely a scratch.

And then, finally, theyre where they need to be.

Then you’re able to breathe out.

Its an exhilarating, improbable, illogical opening, but chaotically good fun.

Indeed, the Indian government refused permission to film in the country, partly on racism grounds.

Theres no way round this: this is where the film gets really brutal.

The clues are in the meal they enjoy.

Its just a proverbial taste of whats to come.

You see a man being lowered to his burning death.

And, most memorably perhaps, you see someones heart being taken out of their body.

By the time the voodoo doll comes out, it looks like small change.

But theres no playing any of it for cartoon violence.

Its bloodless, which presumably got it under the ratings guideline, but shocking.

Spielberg does not pull his punches.

Its as if hes got this far, hes not going to duck at the last minute.

Thats proper Indy: a slow-ish sequence, where you see the before middle and after.

But thats no reason to write the film off: far from it.

Is it suitable for a ten year old?