- "Rolls-Royce Phantom Two. 4.3 litre, 30 horsepower, six cylinder engine, with Stromberg Downdraft carburetor. Can go from zero to 100 kilometers an hour in 12.5 seconds. And I even like the color."
- ―Sultan[src]
The Sultan was the ruler of Hatay in 1938. He also served as an ally of the Nazis during their search for the Holy Grail.
Biography[]
The powerful[2] ruler of the Republic of Hatay, the Sultan realized since childhood that he had been born into one of the world's wealthiest and most powerful families with little or nothing, accepting the fact he was privileged. Growing up, the Sultan heard an old story about the Holy Grail being empowered and met the American multimillionaire Walter Donovan more than once in his travels.[3]
In 1938, when Donovan and his Nazi colleagues sought to enter the Republic of Hatay to search for the Holy Grail, they needed the Sultan's permission to cross Hatay's border.[1] The Sultan didn't believe in the legend of the Grail and considered it a foolish quest, but was willing to allow them do as they wished accompanied by his soldiers in exchange for suitable compensation.[3] He turned down the gold and jewels 'donated' by the finest Jewish families in Germany. However, he allowed them passage and even loaned them some of his troops in exchange for Donovan's Rolls-Royce Phantom II staff car,[1] as he had always wanted that car.[2] After completing negotiations with Donovan and Colonel Ernst Vogel, the Sultan supplied the Nazis with staff cars, troop carriers, supply trucks, riding camels, spare horses, Turkish soldiers and even his prized Mark VII Tank, a modified British type from World War I[4] which was his pride and joy.[2]
Despite the Sultan's assistance, however, the Nazis ultimately failed to obtain the relic for Adolf Hitler, with Vogel losing the tank to the Canyon of the Crescent Moon and Donovan himself perishing after drinking from a false grail at the Temple of the Sun, proving that the Grail was quite real. Any Hatayan survivors of the quest were forced to retreat upon the Temple's destruction.[1]
Personality and traits[]
A savvy man[5] who valued technology over mysticism[1] due to regarding himself a modern individual who liked newer, more up-to-date things and objects of true power, the Sultan dismissed the search for the Holy Grail as "foolish",[3] but was willing to let the Nazis explore his country if they provided him a good reason, which in their case was Walter Donovan's Rolls-Royce Phantom II car over monetary treasures, hinting at an affinity to vehicles.[1] His vintage Mark VII Tank from the World War I era his pride and joy, given how it provided formidable opposition and was one of the most formidable tans ever made, which he was willing to share with Walter Donovan and Ernst Vogel for the expedition he gave his blessing for, providing them as well with horses, camels, supply vehicles and an armed escort of his own best fighting men.[2] He did think the Grail could exist but as a mere golden cup destined for a private collection or museum, so he was fine with the artifact's value increasing if more than one party was interested in acquiring it. An aloof-looking man with a silky beard and whose eyes somehow definied his royal bearing, the Sultan had a purple high-backed throne that made him look larger than life. Because of his privileged upbringing, nothing really surprised him.[3]
Behind the scenes[]
The Sultan was portrayed by English stand-up comedian Alexei Sayle in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.[1]
In the third revision of Jeffrey Boam's original script, the Sultan's role was largely the same. However, in the original version of the story, Kemal (Kazim in the final film) was his personal assistant and the one who, under the orders of the Sultan, offers all possible help to the Nazis. In addition, the Sultan was interested in acquiring the Holy Grail and willing to compete against the Germans than joining them until Elsa Schneider and Walter Chandler (Donovan) in the final film) proved him they had the map and he didn't.[6]
In reality, Hatay was a Turkish republic and didn't have a Sultan. The League of Nations adopted a constitution on May 19, 1937 and the Republic of Hatay was founded. On June 29, 1939 the parliament of Hatay voted to reunite with the Republic of Turkey. France accepted unification of Hatay with Turkey. Tayfur Sokmen (1892-1980) was the first and only president of the Hatay Republic.
In LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures, the Sultan is absent during the Hatay scenes, so Ernst Vogel and his army attack Indiana Jones and his friends without the help of the Hatayan army.[7] In the sequel, the Sultan is again absent during the story, but is available as an unlockable character.[8]
Appearances[]
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade novel (First appearance)
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade storybook
- LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (Non-canonical appearance) (As "Hatay King")
Sources[]
- Indiana Jones: The Ultimate Guide
Indiana Jones Heritage trading cards (Card: A Most Handsome Exchange)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Storybook
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade novel
- ↑ Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade junior novel (2008)
- ↑ Indiana Jones Heritage trading cards (Card: A Most Handsome Exchange)
- ↑ Indy III
- ↑ LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
- ↑ LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues