Parents' Guide to

The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones

By Will Wade, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

A thrilling, educational romp through history.

TV ABC Drama 1994
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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age 9+

Based on 9 parent reviews

Acadienne
Acadienne Adult
February 3, 2021
age 13+

Beware Vlad Dracu!

We have been watching the Chronicles with our kids since last year (Vol 1 & 2) and find them very interesting & good conversation starters on many subjects. We talked about the mostly war-related violence along the way, but last night we started watching the Dracula-related episode, and I wish there had been a warning here. Scenes of impaled secret agents, an accomplice of Indy’s seemingly possesed and blood dripping from the ceiling, I wish my 11- and 12-yr olds had not seen this. I had watched some episodes on TV a while ago, but not this one. As we progress through Vol 3, I will watch ahead of time! It is still a valuable series and although my kids probably don’t understand much of the battle strategies and treaties mentioned, they will come away with enough information to look it up when they’re older.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much violence
1 person found this helpful.
AllAges
AllAges Parent of 8-year-old
August 13, 2020
age 5+

Good alternative to the films for younger viewers.

1 person found this helpful.
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When the world was first introduced to Indiana Jones, he was deep in the Peruvian jungle in 1936, hunting for an ancient golden idol. His practiced ease at avoiding booby traps in Raiders of the Lost Ark made it clear that he was at the peak of his career as an archeologist and adventurer. So how did this daring, whip-wielding buccaneer get his start? That's the premise behind THE ADVENTURES OF YOUNG INDIANA JONES, a thoughtful, entertaining, Emmy-winning series that traces Indy's life from about age 10 through his early 20s as he careens around the world in search of excitement. Some episodes focus on Indy's life as a young boy, with Corey Carrier in the lead role, while others follow his escapades as a young man (Sean Patrick Flanery). In both periods, the adventurer frequently finds himself at the center of major historical events and meeting some of the most important people of the 20th century, from Ernest Hemingway to Sigmund Freud to Winston Churchill and Ho Chi Min. As he spends his youth on archeological digs, hunting for treasure, and joining up with some of history's great military leaders during World War I, it's easy to see how Indiana Jones developed both a sense of daring and his noble character.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9):
Kids say (3):

That said, don't expect a straight adaptation of the movies as the character moves to the small screen. Though there's plenty of action, and the series manages to capture the entertaining blend of thrills and comedy that made the movies so much fun, the plot twists sometimes seem a bit forced as the writers must engineer ways for Indy to run into the next big historical character. And it's hard for even the best action sequences to match the sheer audacity of Indy's big-screen exploits, some of which remain among the best ever filmed.

On the plus side, while the movies were non-stop thrill rides from start to finish, the TV version of Indy's life takes time to introduce some important ideas. When Indiana Jones sits down to discuss philosophy or love or art or military strategy with some of history's greatest thinkers, the series adds an enjoyable element of education that's missing from the films.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about history. Is a show like this a good way to get viewers -- especially kids -- thinking about history? Does seeing history "come alive" make it more interesting? Why or why not? How accurate do you think the events and people portrayed here are? How could you find out more about the facts of Indy's adventures? Also, what historical figures would you like to meet? Is there any historical moment you wish you could have witnessed -- or changed?

TV Details

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