The 25th Element

About the challenge

The 25th Element is a special endurance performance, invented as a challenge with exchange visit or group possibilities. Two people try to perform all 25 classic Harrison and Ford moves, in a tag team fashion, in 25 minutes. Each move has to be performed in its appropriate place around the home, i.e. you can’t do all 25 moves in one room. The moves must be completed in alphabetical order and each person must complete the move before moving on to the next.

For documentation purposes of potential challengers, the performance must be video recorded in one continuous shot (use the onscreen time display on the camera to show duration). It must be timed and adjudicated by an unbiased third party, who must sign and date a certified checklist of the 25 moves.

Harrison and Ford failed on their first attempt on 7 December 2002 (which was recorded for an exhibition DVD) mainly due to Ford’s hungover state, and his inability to perform carpet crabs and handstands. Harrison and Ford managed to complete 24.5 moves in 26 minutes. The anguish in the film is intense and there is an overt element of pathos when Ford continually struggles and fails to perform the Elevated Carpet Crab. The viewer becomes part of the entourage following Harrison and Ford around the house, willing them to succeed. You can watch a clip from the first challenge attempt below.