Donovan's High-Backed Chair

High-backed chair faces the fireplace in Castle Brunwald's firelit baronial room. Walter Donovan sits in it, the tall back hiding his identity from bound Indiana Jones and Henry Jones Sr. until he stands abruptly. Its imposing frame sharpens the shock of his betrayal reveal amid flickering shadows and rising fury over the stolen Grail Diary pages.

2 appearances

Purpose

Seating in the baronial room

Significance

Hides Donovan's presence to build suspense, then frames his dramatic rise that exposes him as the Nazi collaborator and mastermind, shattering alliances and redirecting the quest's stakes toward rescuing Marcus Brody.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S1E3 · INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE

The Betrayal’s Shadow: Donovan’s True Face Revealed

The high-backed chair serves as a symbolic and functional device in this scene, initially hiding Walter Donovan’s identity from Indy and Henry. When Donovan rises from the chair to reveal himself, the act underscores his shift from reluctant ally to tyrannical antagonist. The chair’s imposing frame and the way it faces the fireplace create a sense of authority and control, reinforcing Donovan’s dominance over the bound prisoners. Its presence in the baronial room also contributes to the scene’s oppressive atmosphere, as the flickering firelight casts long shadows that mirror the unraveling trust and looming threat.

Before: Occupied by Walter Donovan, who is seated with his back to Indy and Henry, hiding his identity.

After: Vacant, as Donovan rises to reveal himself and confront the prisoners.

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S1E3 · INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE

The Betrayal’s Unmasking: Brody as the Grail’s Achilles Heel

Donovan’s high-backed chair is more than a prop—it is a symbol of his hidden identity and the power he wields. Initially, the chair’s tall back obscures Donovan’s face, allowing him to observe Indy and Henry unseen, reinforcing his role as a puppeteer pulling strings. When he stands to reveal himself, the chair becomes a discarded facade, mirroring the shedding of his benevolent persona. The chair’s imposing frame also casts long shadows in the firelight, visually reinforcing the moral ambiguity and shifting alliances in the room.

Before: Occupied by Donovan, facing the fireplace, its back hiding his identity.

After: Empty, as Donovan stands to confront Indy and Henry, symbolizing the end of his deception.

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