Adolf Hitler (Indiana Jones)

"The guy is like a hypnotist — a madman who can make a whole country nuts."

- Indiana Jones on Hitler. "The Ark belongs in the Reich. Something of such antiquity belongs in Germany."

- Adolf Hitler.

Adolf Hitler (also known as the "Führer") was the major antagonist/Bigger Bad of the Indiana Jones series, being mentioned in the first instalment Raiders of the Lost Ark and making a cameo in the third installment Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. He was the leader of Nazi Germany and is described by Colonel Musgrove as being "obsessed with the occult," hence his interest in acquiring the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail.

Hitler has a small appearance in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, where he was portrayed by Michael Sheard (who also played Admiral Ozzel in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back) and also appeared in various Indiana Jones comics and novels.

Biography
His interest in the occult and in archaeological artifacts prompted Nazi research and recovery expeditions into artifacts to either support his views of Aryan racial superiority or to be used as weapons against Nazi enemies.

Hitler met with archaeologist René Belloq in 1936 to hire his services in acquiring the lost Ark of the Covenant. After Indiana Jones thwarted Hitler's plans on numerous occasions, including his desire to claim the Ark, the Führer personally assigned Hans Degen to assassinate Jones but the attempt ended in failure. In 1938, Hitler was presiding over a book-burning rally in Berlin outside the Institute of Aryan Culture. As he was being escorted from the forum, he came face to face with a man in a Nazi officer's uniform who held a book in his hands. Not knowing the man was a disguised Indiana Jones or that the book was the Grail diary his agents needed to find the Holy Grail, Hitler took the book, motioned one of his aides for a pen, signed the book, and returned it to the startled 'officer' before continuing on his way.

Seeking to expand Germany, he first used diplomatic means to gain territories in building a greater German state, then invaded Poland in 1939, initiating World War II. In 1945, Hitler appeared in Professor Jones' vision where he claimed ownership for the Spear of Destiny. Later that year, with the defeat of Germany likely, and Berlin near invasion, he committed suicide.

Trivia

 * Despite being mentioned several times and making a cameo appearance, Hitler is obviously the Heavy of the entire series as the Nazis (including Belloq and Walter Donovan) were all answering to him since he's behind the plan to obtain the Ark and the Holy Grail.