Demetrios

Demetrios (a.k.a. Claw) was a demolitions expert on archaeological digs in Egypt, who later became an arms dealer in Mexico. He was also a collector of archaeological artifacts.

Egypt

Indiana Jones and Miss Seymour encountered Demetrios in 1908 in Egypt at the archaeological dig site of an architect's tomb, being excavated by Howard Carter.

After the tomb was opened, Demetrios murdered Rasheed Sallam, who was guarding the tomb, and removed the mummy to incite fear of a curse to cover his true crime: the theft of a headpiece in the shape of a jackal, with rubies for eyes. Eventually, T. E. Lawrence, with Indy's help, solved the murder case and confronted Demetrios, who escaped with the jackal headpiece.

Indy kept a photograph of Demetrios from the 1908 meeting in his diary.

At some time after this encounter, Demetrios lost a hand, which was replaced with a metal claw.

Mexico

In May 1916, Demetrios lived in the northern part of Mexico, supplying arms and explosives to Pancho Villa and was known simply as Claw. After negotiating a deal with Villa, he overheard the target of Villa's next raid: Ciudad Guerrero. Jones, captured by Pancho Villa's men, recognized Demetrios after Demetrios used Arabic to tell Indy and another captive to hurry up when unloading munitions. Later, Indy is sent to help pick up arms at Claw's house and confirms that Claw is Demetrios.

Demetrios sold the information about Villa's next raid to General Pershing, who then orders a counterattack that drives Villa's gang from Ciudad Guerrero.

Several nights later, Demetrios finds Indiana breaking into his cupboard of archaelogical artifacts. Demetrios and Indy fight in the house, which eventually catches fire. During the fight, Demetrios is knocked into his cellar and proceeds to use a heavy machine gun against Indy, who flees with the jackal headpiece. Demetrios is killed when the gunpowder in his cellar explodes, causing his entire house to be destroyed. His severed claw lands close to where Indy has stopped to catch his breath.

Behind the scenes
Vic Tablian played Demetrios. Tablian also played the roles of Barranca and Monkey Man in Raiders of the Lost Ark

Appearances

 * Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal