Captain Simon Katanga

composed observant powerful authoritative

Captain Simon Katanga commands the tramp steamer Bantu Wind out of Cairo. He is an observant, authoritative shipmaster who watches Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood before their voyage, and later, under the threat of Nazi pursuit and approaching submarines, orders them below for cover. Faced with armed boarding parties on his bridge, Katanga mixes protective quick thinking with desperate commercial pragmatism—declaring Jones dead and attempting to barter Marion to recoup losses and save his ship. His role across these scenes marks him as a composed but pragmatic maritime authority caught between duty to passengers and the hard realities of piracy and commerce.

6 appearances

Maritime Command

Also known as: Simon Katanga, Katanga, Captain Katanga

Captain Simon …'s Journey

A timeline through the narrative

6 moments

S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Last Calm on the Bantu Wind

Stoic and steady, exuding confidence and vigilance; emotion is muted in favor of duty and control.

Captain Simon Katanga watches from the ship's rail, pipe in mouth; his composed, authoritative bearing surveys the pier operation and frames the farewell with calm competence.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Wolf Submarines on the Horizon — Katanga Orders Hide

Urgent and protective — steady outwardly but clearly alarmed; his command tone masks concern for passengers and the ship's safety.

Standing on the bridge, Katanga scans the horizon, abruptly turns, points and issues rapid, protective orders. He names that he has sent a crewmember and directs Indy and Marion below …

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Ark Embarked; Belloq Claims Marion

Defensive and anxious, trying to mask fear with calculated bargaining and dishonest bravado.

Captain Katanga stands surrounded on the bridge, reports Jones dead, lies about killing him to defuse Nazi scrutiny, and attempts to barter Marion as compensation to lessen his crew's losses …

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Bargain for Marion

Pragmatic resignation layered with desperation — willing to compromise morality to save crew and livelihood.

Captain Katanga stands on the bridge watching his crew corralled by soldiers; he bluntly declares Jones dead and attempts to barter Marion to reduce his ship's losses, speaking with pragmatic …

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Hold Fire — Shliemann's Restraint & Indy's Periscope Lifeline

Defiant composure—using visible presence to communicate sovereignty and resilience in the face of threat.

Katanga stands tall on the Bantu Wind's bow, visible and defiant; his gesture toward the Wurrfler reads as a proud salute that the Captain acknowledges, a human counterpoint to the …

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Tethered to the Periscope

Stoic defiance; proud yet aware of the danger, projecting bravery for his crew.

Katanga stands tall and defiant on the Bantu Wind's rail, executes a salute toward the Wurrfler and is observed by the Captain; his stance provides the human counterpoint that the …

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Affiliation

Nazis (general organizational force)

Military Pursuit, Capture, and Security of Grail Artifacts