The Best (and Worst) Indiana Jones Replicas in Adam Savage’s Collection

Adam picks up Hasbro's recently-released replica of the Headpiece to the Staff of Ra from Raiders of the Lost Ark, and it prompts him to bring out his long running collection of replicas of this Indiana Jones prop. Here's what the new toy gets right in its sculpt, and the ways in which prop replica makers have captured the details of the iconic bronze medallion.
Shot by Adam Savage and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#adamsavage #props

[@thir13enthman]

I always really enjoy watching Adam unbox things. You can feel his excitement and it is infectious. You can always tell when he is blown away by whatever he is unboxing when he says "Duuuuuddde" which he doesn't say in this video.

[@webbot15]

You almost have enough staff of Ra headpieces to be able to recreate the grail scene where they have to pick the one true grail!

[@Cristopher.C]

picks the wrong one and dies on camera

[@dh2032]

@@Cristopher.C but Adam would choose wisely 🙂

[@askingwhy123]

Adam denies the existence of all the movies besides Raiders, so he won't get the reference 😢

[@GameDeveloperTraining]

Adam's face desperately trying not to betray his utter disappointment when he opened the medallion is priceless.

[@aserta]

Meine Enttäuschung ist unermesslich und mein Tag ist ruiniert.

[@mm9773]

Reminds me of Norm “reviewing” the hilariously overpriced and altogether useless hand-cranked disk sander.

[@jm9371]

..... after handling the REAL one, it would be hard to impress anyway.

[@Blueeyes2584A]

To quote Adam from the AT-AT I boxing, "Sometimes it is a never ceasing lesson in disappointment."

[@darthseverus89]

@@aserta (I hope this translates correctly) I couldn't agree more.

[@jmalmsten]

Now I really want to see a one day build where Adam recreates this "toy" in brass and full height staff. Somehow retaining the light piping effect.

[@Earthenfist]

Could manage it with thin colored Polycarbonate, or orange glass, too.

[@kyleplatz3751]

that'd be sick, I'd be bummed if Adam didn't give this a shot

[@ScottBarrettihq]

agree - he could silicone mold his favorite one, expand it a bit to allow the poly carbon interior, and even 3D print in metal and translucent poly

[@davidvalentine3630]

the fact that he was able to grab 2 x AA batteries in under 6 seconds must be commended on the systems of organization he has in his shop . nice work Adam

[@coreymonday1375]

There's a cut

[@jedifyfe]

The RELICMAKER headpiece was cast from my production used headpiece. You’re welcome. 😊

[@thirstyCactus]

I'd love to see you take that plastic medallion apart and cast bronze replacements for the outer shell! How cool would that be?

[@shawnrains4047]

You could just keep it simple and give it a proper paint job and a wash, the thing would look a million times better

[@hraefn1821]

@@shawnrains4047 seconded. Paint goes a long way. And if yer feeling fancy, disassemble the pieces and have the clamshells electroplated then weather them.

[@JediDropBear]

for a one day build (probably series of them) is reamake that base for one of your hero props to a fairly real looking part and have a small wooden rod to hold it. I won't light up but would look fantastic and would help make your hero versions of this prop shine

[@Rileysworld727]

Its always been funny to me that whether Harrison Ford was playing Rick Deckard, Indiana Jones, Han Solo, or Jack Ryan it didnt matter I always have thought of those characters as the same basic person which is Harrison Ford's actually personality. So when you mixed up Deckard and Jones it made me chuckle.

[@cleverusername9369]

Need a handsome but gruff and rugged slightly shady everyman for your 80s action movie? Harrison Ford.

[@martins.4240]

Kind of the same thing with Tom Cruise. No matter his character I always just see Tom Cruise. For some reason it's the exact opposite with Tom Hanks, that guy just becomes every character he plays.

[@jm9371]

Tom Cruise is the same way, he just plays the same character. However, he casts himself AWESOMELY and it workks.

[@whooshwhoosh]

Really when you think about it Han and Indy are the exact same person just in a different situation. They think the same, they act the same, they think religion is a bunch of BS until its thrown in their faces lol

[@SquirrelGrrlBlue]

Reminds me of years ago: my little brother asked to watch "that one movie where Han Solo plays Indiana Jones". 🙃 I mean, he wasn't wrong...

[@BrickAction101]

You should take a look at the one Disney sells at the parks and their online store! It's $75, and I always thought it looked pretty dang good, but would like to hear your thoughts on it.

[@mariuscinematicuniverse]

I picked that one up and reviewed it. It looks great!

[@lukebtaylor]

"If you're Jonesing for one": I understood that reference

[@josephevans1415]

I searched for thos comment 😅

[@ArcaneWolf9]

Am I the only one seeing a 'One Day Build' of the Tanis model within the map room. That was another part of the magic of that prop. Such a unique way of revealing the location.

[@joevictor53]

The staff is that length because this is from an alternate version of the movie where Toht burned his hand on the opposite side of the medallion. He got the staff length even more wrong because he only knew about the one kadam taken back

[@paperbackstories]

At Karnak Temple they have a scale model of the complex in the interpretive center. When I saw it, all I could think was, "Somebody get me the Staff of Ra!"

[@crispincain9654]

Adam, I bought one on Amazon as soon as 2:34 on this video. I bought this for my eldest son's 39th birthday. The magic I just experienced is I have a rarely used credit card that had exactly enough points to get this for free! You are The Wizard!

[@Thomas_Esson]

Just for the record, it should be the Raven Bar version for the map room scene. Still a very cool lighting idea, though.

[@LiamBrazier]

I always go back 30/40 years when handling these things and marvel at yes something 70-80% of the way there realisim wise. Back then the hunks of plastic, if you got them at all were more imagination cues than any attempt at prop replication. I for one welcome these MUCH cheaper options - those elite metal castings aren't going anywhere if you want and can afford them, but for some sweet nostalgia on a budget Hasbro et al are doing amazing things in the last few years if you ask me.

[@khronokraze]

The staff is too short... "... he's digging in the wrong place..." Cool Indy prop replica!

[@minnesotajones261]

My very first prop replica of any kind, being in Indy fanatic, was RedFour's headpiece. He was from California, and worked in metals for a business. His was cast in bronze with a Swarovski crystal in the center of it. I got one of his back in 2003. Maybe your bronze one is his? He maybe still around, perhaps on the RPF? I just got two of the Hasbro one's as well. For $50 or so, it's nice!

[@jeffreysulik3311]

I was able to pick up a RedFour headpiece years ago. It’s my favorite.

[@greenirontv324]

It would look awesome with a wash and shading to grim it up a bit like the others.

[@veganconservative1109]

Take the open one apart, try grinding down the plastic where able, repaint. Send Hasbro an 'I'm disappointed in you' letter with a photo of what they should have done.

[@idontwanttopickone]

Come on Adam you can totally make your own with the light pipe trick built in, but looking exactly like the original. I believe in you!

[@misterkami2]

I'm thinking it should actually be possible to remake the base into a larger one, make the staff longer into it's correct size while letting the wiring run through it, and finally; weather the plastic replica to look better. That would create a pretty good looking correct size staff that could light up when placed in the right hole

[@Pup_Pryde]

while it'd certainly be non trivial work, it wouldn't be particularly complicated to replicate the design of the plastic medallion (with the lightpipe and clamshell design and whatnot) except using metal for the outer pieces. you'd be able to slim down the medallion slightly due to higher strength of metal v. plastic, and it'd have a much better weight as well.

[@TeaGamingPanda]

I love Adam Savage going all in with Indiana Jones and Blade Runner. Considering, I love those the most, but Adam teaches me new things about it every time! As for everything he talks about! Love this man

[@jessekennedy9940]

"If you're Jonesing for one", I like what you did there.

[@mattjones5987]

The prop i want is the book Jones uses to refer to the illustration of the Ark of the Covenant

[@chungdha]

I feel like there should be an de-age video coming or some improvement video where Adam gonna make this look even better.

[@Talonthir]

Kinda think Adam needs to make one with the light up aspect. Could be a great series of videos. Love ya Adam.

[@DrakeAurum]

The lighting-up is just okay. If it could project a spot of light across a floor to your notional Well of Souls map model, it would be cool.

[@darklordsmu]

Since you bought two, I'd love to see you give one of them some painting/weathering love to bring the plastic closer to screen original.

[@zoinomiko]

YES I was just thinking the same thing!!

[@slaid3876]

Time to make a bronze one that lights up. Use a real rock for the base and the correct staff length. Would make a awesome piece to have in the corner of the office

[@jacksonarmstrong]

now you've got to do a one day build where you modify the piece to look more accurate while retaining the light up mechanic. If you could put the light hardware into the end of a full length staff with a switch on the tip, you could walk around in costume and set the staff down anywhere and get it to light up, would be cool.

[@Jakeu1701]

you could build a new base, have one power the light up headpiece and you could display all of them on a mini hole grid, each on their own staff tops.

[@MordantMagic]

The path is clear. You have to make one from bronze that is perfectly accurate but also lights up.

[@teacupoctopus]

I would love to see a one day build where Adam distresses the plastic medallion so it has a more authentic look (if he can't make a custom cast...)

[@jackhime5628]

I’m a fan of the Indiana Jones films and I got into the franchise and I enjoyed the Mythbusters episodes on Indiana Jones and the Blade Runner video on the gun and seeing the props from 2049

[@oskar6661]

I'd disassemble it and repaint the clamshell parts. Needs better paint/wash/aging, etc.

[@mr.e1944]

I love Barry Manot’s work. He is a great artist. Love his miniatures like Thane Tostig. I need to get one of those staff pieces.

[@Joe___R]

Adam, Since you keep a stock of batteries. May I advise you to get Energizer ultimate lithium batteries. They come in all the standard sizes and have a 10-20 guaranteed shelf life. Since I discovered them I have invested in a large stock of every batterie size I regularly need. So I have 24 AA and AAA 8 9V and 12 CR2032, and as soon as I use half of them, I refill them as well as rotate the older batteries to be used next. I haven't grabbed a single dead or leaking batteries in the 3+ years since I did that. I have used exclusively lithium batteries since they became commonly available to protect my devices from leaking batteries. I couldn't tell you how many items I have seen destroyed by leaking batteries over the years.

[@wesrasmusson1567]

Adam, you should do some weathering paint on the toy replica, maybe it’ll look a bit better and more realistic!

[@tungstentaco495]

mod the hasbro version by putting a laser pointing up inside the staff pole, a hole in the bottom of the medallion for the laser path up to the crystal, and then an angled mirror inside the crystal to send the beam out and angled slightly downward.

[@DragonAceSg7]

One of my favorite eps of MacGyver growing up was the one that did a staff thing like Indiana Jones. That looks, so cool. And because of my psoriasis back in the day cleaning my computer was like the map room scene XD. But that is a really, really cool toy.

[@THESCUMMBAR]

It's £50?! I know this is a niche market, but still... I'd expect it to look a lot better for that price.

[@robinmichel9048]

The Abner Ravenwood backstory is the backstory we need to see.

[@Matt-rq3bu]

Love Indy relared videos, another great video.

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

What it REALLY needs is a red/orange laser diode in the stone that projects a beam onto the floor, but only if you use the correct hole in the base. And a staff that is 6 (-1) kadam tall. And a full 3D model of Tanis.

[@cowgirl9014]

There’s a jewelry version of the medallion now, silver plated with gold, but not as big as the props. I’m thinking about getting one ❤

[@dale4034]

Now that you have seen how it lights up it would be cool to make one in metal with perhaps a glass core. It would be especially cool to have a laser pointer shine through the jewel.

[@Mr.Hopper1]

Adam, opening it up, and in his mind saying "Mediocre" in his best Immortan Joe.

[@IMarvinTPA]

@TechnologyConnections "Through the magic of buying two of them."

[@Collinsfamilylights]

The Indianapolis children's museum has the cross I wish they would 3d scan it and share it

[@Thomas_Esson]

Last I checked, their pieces were on loan from the Lucasfilm Archives, so that would be up to them. I think there are decent replicas out there, though.

[@pies765]

That lighting does look pretty cool

[@DecanFrost]

I wonder if you also have the cup of Christ from The Last Crusade? I've seen many plastic versions of it, also the licensed ceramic version, but never an actual wood version with gold leaf. I would actually be surprised if you don't have one 😂 If you do, did you make it yourself?

[@atticstattic]

The 'original' was a clay cup.

[@RileyZilla1001]

I got a decent one from a ren faire

[@wokeupinapanic]

He hates all other Indy films so I doubt he has any props 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@DecanFrost]

@@wokeupinapanic untrue as he has diary from the same film, multiple versions in fact. including the golden cross from young indy.

[@wokeupinapanic]

@@DecanFrost and if you watched the video he posted about the diary, you’d know that he goes on record as saying that Raiders is the only movie in the franchise he even acknowledges which is why he calls it Raiders and not Indiana Jones 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@nathkrupa3463]

Always a wonderful video Adam sir you are awesome

[@apemancommeth8087]

Indiana Jones movies (specifically the original 3) are my all time favorite movies of all time! The only thing that’s comparable is the Star Wars trilogy ( original 3) that are great as well!

[@bguise9753]

I have a cool idea. Use blue poster sticky stuff to fill in the gaps to cover the parts that light. Then spray paint the headpiece with gold. Wait for it to dry. Then Vallejo sp. wash it to make it look dirty and old. I bet it'd look more heavy and cooler-lit. Especially in the dark.

[@veganconservative1109]

How dark are we talking? 😂

[@bguise9753]

@@veganconservative1109 is as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as you wish without the darkness sticking to your soul, ruining other people's lives around you. 😘🤪

[@Sillydraco]

Adam you should recreate this using actual stone, wood and metal that still lights up!

[@Ravenwood1936]

I see so many interesting variants of the medallion, but most of the variants are rare to come by like the Tanis

[@Pschtyckque]

I have two headpiece replicas myself. One is Acme Artifacts' magnificent gold(ish) plated version, and the Disney version sold in the Parks. Both of mine have red crystals. I know they are amber on screen, but the spot of light in the Map Room was red, and that's the one that stuck with me as a kid. I've been contemplating this light up version. But I don't know if I'm thrilled about the text lighting up.

[@steveschnetzler5471]

The next step would be to have a motion detector in it, or solar charging. Or having a laser pointer shoot out the front when light hits the back! Complete with dramatic music.

[@roncatalano7956]

Adam, awesome work your doing. There is a little treasure I've been trying to reproduce It's the Egyptian money that was never used in Raiders of the Lost Ark but can only find one side to the note..2 stories behind it...Sallah either gave a few 50 cent notes to Indy and Marion before going to the market and or this money was supposed to be thrown in air to act as a distraction...any help in this quest would be well appreciated.

[@TeaGamingPanda]

You should review the Disney Park’s Staff of Ra headpiece!

[@andywheatley6149]

Hello Adam, I have a question what is more important to you when collecting objects the way they look or how they feel in your hand.

[@corruptpixel8441]

Would love to see adam weathering the hasbro one

[@jamar2349]

"I've been 'Jonesing' for one." Well played sir.

[@markmcgillicutty6644]

"If you're Jones-ing for one" ?? Yer killing me, Mr Savage! :D :D :D

[@hisownsidekick]

I love Adam's unboxing videos.

[@Anonymous-fu5ok]

Indy calls it a worthless bronze medallion then proceeds to offer her $5000. In 1936, that would be equivalent to $110,716 today.

[@MorrisonManor]

I wonder if Adam's prop storage is as big as the warehouse at the end of ROTLA.

[@MartyMcFly88]

Awesome video! Hey Adam, are you excited for the new Indiana Jones movie?

[@brettsalter3300]

Would be great to use the toy as mould and cast it in bronze. Then reassemble with the orange plastic still inside.

[@nathanhiggins860]

Staff meeting.... great pun.

[@ChrisGorman87]

I just love how you are big Indy fan just like me!

[@twalt]

that staff meeting pun was painful

[@bshaun2740]

I got the disney one from my work awhile ago, cool item to put on a shelf but I wish it was a bit more realistic given that it was 80$ CAD.

[@NickGulan]

"if you're jonesing for one" I was dying

[@yuliza_mc_8i8_ASMR]

Que genial trabajo 💗💗💗

[@HMFan2010]

I was hoping for an industrial grade, metal cutting laser to come shooting out of the central gemstone and melt something in Adam’s studio...

[@cleverusername9369]

It's not a stunning replica by any means, however if it's a toy aimed towards a younger generation who may just now be learning about Indiana Jones, I'm all for it. I've got 3 young nephews, I'm sure they'd love this thing once they're old enough to watch Indy. Hopefully a little older than I was, I think I was like 8 the first time I saw Temple of Doom and was traumatized by Mola Ram yoinking that dudes living heart 😆

[@Gorgonzeye]

A custom wash and it would improve a lot. The sculpting looks to be there.

[@aserta]

Their mistake was making it in 3 parts. It should've been a 1:1 cast of a movie one in the clear material they used for the light pipe, and simply apply a metal coating on top, with the letters and gem sockets masked, this would've been closer to the real one, as is,... kinda phoned in, considering we used to get some pretty sick light pipe toys back in the day... toys that were dice sized, like the small cars that would light up if pressed down or the various die cast metal guns with light effects that were made in the same fashion. Surprised Hasbro isn't able to at least match that.

[@cenciende9401]

There's no such thing as 'phoned in', the fact they even bothered to make one AT ALL, is an enormous unnecessary effort. Typical toxic fanboy nonsense. Unlike Adam who can appreciate it for what it is because he actually has the knowledge/experience.

[@WadeWilson-]

From the good old times when Indiana Jones movies were good.

[@WadeWilson-]

@Persuasive Barrier not talking about the aliens... If you don't know what I'm talking about. Just wait.

[@johnnymac7340]

Could you review the Disney World/Disneyland Indy artifact replicas?

[@dogfrog9543]

Raiders of the Lost Ark, the only movie I ever sat through twice in a row at the theater 🍿👍

[@Clemenssnemelc]

Now i want a tattoo of the burned Ra Headpeace in my hand .

[@elusive1970]

How did you get a cast of the hero version of this? Make another mold I'd love to see you do that! I want a real copy of one myself someday.

[@princewithoutakingdom9716]

I get it. I feel the same about the alchemists device in cronos... Trying finding one of those made by hasbro 😢

[@woopize]

I have like 6kg of old bronze coins (all of them really worn-out so there's not any numismatic value in them) and I would love to cast my own Ra's staff headpiece. Do you recomend any specific method to make the mold? I found a couple 3d printable versions that look pretty good.

[@robertillston2350]

When you are recreating a prop, how do you judge, for yourself, what looks good with your mark 1 eyeball verses how it may look on film with lighting a possible filters, which version do you go for?

[@John_Krone]

"uh put the staff on the thing, put the thing in the staff, put the thing on the thing" - Adam Savage

[@iddeegee]

Well at least you can copper plate it except the glowing parts ... and then add some patina (you can search how to plate plastic)

[@TK-421_66]

I feel a ODB coming to make this thing actually look right.

[@JoshSweet]

Now you have to make one, with crystal inner and bronze outer to give it weight and fidelity, as well as an ability to glow…..

[@joshbrown8756]

Does Adam have any documented opinion on the Indy replicas sold in DIsney parks?

[@wolfmanjack2001]

I doubt it. Most of them are not very good quality. Private replica makers have made much better. I’m my opinion the only one he’d probably recommend is the crystal skull. For the price, and the light up feature? It’s a good deal. It’s undersized but by far the most affordable for that prop. There are very few skull replicas out there and the others are all a grand or up. He’d probably refrain from bad talking Disney or Hasbro on these channels, since that’s not very smart for business or freebies! Lol. But if you know his passion for accuracy and quality, it’s easy to have a good idea where his opinion would land. Doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the Disney stuff. Everyone has a budget and with some weathering a lot of the items will look fantastic to any Indy fan. Unless you want to drop thousands on a nice Indy collection, they are more than good enough.

[@Rainingindublin]

Adam there is a very realistic looking airsoft pulse rifle!

[@geraldstiling3735]

Never underestimate the power of a young person's imagination. A toy doesn't have to be 💯 authentic to become the HEAD PIECE of the STAFF of RA 🤠

[@NickGulan]

Please make a video of you weathering this!

[@gabrielsilva-wq6sk]

Hello Adam. I would like to suggest an idea for your channel, it would be really cool if your channel was dubbed in different languages, like MrBeast's channel, he duplicates his videos in several nationalities and uses other accounts like: MrBeast Brasil ..... Your content is very good, more people need to know, especially here in Brazil. Sincerely, Gabriel from Brazil !!!

[@clintUofR08]

First rule of prop purchasing: Why buy one when you can buy two at twice the price