Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Why Is Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Rated PG?

If you haven’t seen this film since it released in 1984, you may do well to take a peek prior to inviting the family to gather ‘round the big screen. Rated PG prior to the implementation of the MPAA PG-13 rating, it has far more intense violence than what you would typically find in a newer movie with the same rating. Many people are killed in various ways including an impaling with a flaming skewer, a hanging from a ceiling fan, and a man crushed under a huge wheel (blood is shown). During a cult ceremony, a man, has his heart ripped out of his chest while alive (the wound miraculously heals). Other scenes show people, including children, being whipped. Men are thrown off a cliff into a river of crocodiles (we see the animals chomping on something and clothing is floating on the water). A scene has men with machine guns shooting bullets randomly throughout a room of people, some of which are shot (blood shown). Discussions of voodoo religion and demonstrations of a voodoo doll are included, along with the drinking of human blood. Some suggestive sexual remarks are made and an unmarried man and woman exchange sexual banter as they discuss having intimate relations. A naked statue is seen and a characters place their hands on its breasts. Language consists of one moderate scatological expletive, a few mild profanities and terms of deity. Some viewers may feel this movie is somewhat derogatory toward people from the nation of India. As well, the protagonist treats women in a demeaning way on a couple of occasion, including using a whip to wrap around a woman’s waist and pull her toward him. Social drinking is portrayed.