- "You must choose. But choose wisely. For as the true Grail will bring you life, a false Grail will take it from you."
- ―Grail Knight to Walter Donovan[src]
The False Grail was a golden chalice found at the inner sanctuary of the Temple of the Sun in 1938.
History[]
Origins[]
A large drinking vessel, made of gold, and encrusted with jewels, was taken from Constantinople by the Knights Templar and eventually ended up in the Grail sanctuary of the Temple of the Sun, where it sat near the Holy Grail, along with dozens of other false grails that sat upon the altar, all guarded by the Grail Knight.[2][3]
The final test to prove one's worthiness to find the Holy Grail was to be able to correctly identify the real Holy Grail among the collection of other chalices and bowls set out as decoys. Once a seeker selected a grail, they would have to fill it from a font in the chamber and then drink from it. Water from any of the false grails would cause death to the poor crusader, while water from the true cup would grant eternal life.[1]

Donovan examines the chalice, which would turn out to be false.
Last Crusade[]
In 1938, Indiana Jones was forced to enter the Temple to find the Grail in order to save his father, shot by Walter Donovan. Jones made it past the assorted traps and tests to enter the inner sanctum where he encountered the Grail Knight. After making it through, Donovan and Elsa Schneider followed into the chamber. Donovan asked the Austrian doctor which vessel was the true Holy Grail and Schneider purposely selected the most beautiful, bright and princely false grail for him.[1]
After assuring himself that the false Grail was in fact the cup of the King of Kings, Donovan filled it with water and took a drink, expecting eternal life.[1] Jones briefly considered tackling Donovan and wrestling for the false Grail, initially thinking the Grail must have been the true one, but he was soon proved wrong.[4] To Donovan's horror, he instead began to age instantly; even his clothing began to disintegrate. Dropping the chalice, he raised his arms and, decomposing before her eyes, tried to attack Schneider. Jones shoved him away and Donovan shattered against a wall, leaving nothing but bones, dust, and his Nazi pin. The Knight then observed that Donovan had chosen poorly.[1]

The result of choosing poorly.
Recognizing that the true Grail would be the cup of a carpenter, Jones then selected the most humble of chalices and proved its authenticity by drinking from it and surviving. Needing the real Grail to save his dying father, Jones and Schneider ignored the golden chalice cast off to the side and returned to the entrance area of the temple.[1]
Legacy[]
Years after the search for the Holy Grail, Jock Lindsey homaged the False Grail and its role in Walter Donovan's death through his cocktail Donovan's Dilemma, which he served in his Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar establishment, including a note mocking how Donovan chose the wrong goblet and explaining humorously the origins of the drink's name.[5]
Behind the scenes[]
The False Grail prop measured roughly 15 x 15 x 21 cm.[6]
Appearances[]
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade comic
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade game
- Indiana Jones: Traps and Snares (Mentioned only)
- Indiana Jones: The Search For Buried Treasure
- LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (Non-canonical appearance) (As 'Fake Holy Grail')
- LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (Non-canonical appearance)
Sources[]
- "Lost in the Mists of Time: The Muddled Myths of the Holy Grail" – The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine 8
- From Star Wars To Indiana Jones - The Best of the Lucasfilm Archives
The Last Crusade: Choose wisely on IndianaJones.com (backup link on Archive.org) (Pictured only)
Indiana Jones Movie Photo Cards (Card: Dealing with Danger)
Indiana Jones Heritage trading cards (Card: Donovan Chooses... Poorly)
- Indiana Jones: The Ultimate Guide
- Holy Grail Chalice Prop Replica on RegalRobot.com (backup link on Archive.org)
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Annual 2009
- Sideshow Collectibles (Pack: Holy Grail Chalice)
Into The Unknown: Lucasfilm's Brushes with Horror on Lucasfilm.com (backup link on Archive.org)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- ↑ Indiana Jones: The Ultimate Guide
- ↑ Indiana Jones: The Ultimate Guide does not mention a date, though it is likely to be connected to the taking of Constantinople in 1204, after the time the Knights of the First Crusade discovered the Holy Grail.
- ↑ Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade novel
- ↑ Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar
- ↑ From Star Wars To Indiana Jones - The Best of the Lucasfilm Archives