Demetrios (a.k.a. Claw) was a demolitions expert on archaeological digs in Egypt, who later became an arms dealer in Mexico. He was also a collector of archaeological artifacts, including an Egyptian jackal headpiece.
Biography
Egypt
Indiana Jones and Miss Seymour encountered Demetrios in 1908 in Egypt at the archaeological dig site of Kha the architect's tomb, being excavated by Howard Carter. Demetrios was in charge of setting the explosives used for clearing the roadway to the dig site.
Demetrios at work in the Valley of the Kings
After the tomb was opened, Demetrios murdered Rasheed Sallam, who was guarding the tomb, and removed the mummy to incite fear of a curse to cover his true crime: the theft of a headpiece in the shape of a jackal, with rubies for eyes.[2] With Indy's help, T. E. Lawrence eventually solved the murder case and confronted Demetrios, who escaped with the jackal headpiece[3] and headed for Greece[1].
However, Indy claimed later in life that although Lawrence left to confront Demetrios, his ship had left dock just minutes before Lawrence arrived.[2] Indy kept a photograph of Demetrios from the 1908 meeting in his diary. At some point after this encounter, Demetrios lost a hand, which was replaced with a metal claw.
Mexico
By March 1916, Demetrios lived in the northern part of Mexico, supplying arms and explosives to Pancho Villa and was known simply as Claw. After negotiating a deal with Villa, he overheard the target of Villa's next raid: Ciudad Guerrero. Jones, captured by Pancho Villa's men, recognized Demetrios after Demetrios used Arabic to tell Indy and another captive to hurry up when unloading munitions. Later, Indy was sent to help pick up arms at Claw's house and confirmed that Claw was Demetrios.
Demetrios sold the information about Villa's next raid to General Pershing, who then ordered a counterattack that drove Villa's gang from Ciudad Guerrero.
Several nights later, Demetrios found Indiana breaking into his cupboard of archaelogical artifacts. Demetrios and Indy fought in the house, which eventually caught fire. During the fight, Demetrios was knocked into the weapons storage cellar and used a heavy machine gun against Indy, who fled with the jackal headpiece. Demetrios was killed when the gunpowder in his cellar exploded, causing his entire house to be destroyed. His severed claw landed close to where Indy had stopped to catch his breath.
Behind the scenes
Vic Tablian portrayed Demetrios. Tablian also played the roles of Barranca and Monkey Man in Raiders of the Lost Ark
In August 1997, Tablian returned to the role of Demetrios to film the scene of his confrontation with T. E. Lawrence (with Joseph Bennett returning to play that role) during the production of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace in Tunisia. This footage was used to bridge the Egypt and Tangiers segments of My First Adventure.[4]
Appearances
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – "Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal" (First appearance) → My First Adventure
- The Mummy's Curse (Random House)
- The Mummy's Curse (Golden Book)
- Young Indiana Jones in the Curse of Kha
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles – "Young Indiana Jones and the Curse of the Jackal" (First appearance) → Spring Break Adventure
- South of the Border
- The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles game (As "Claw")
