Named by countless publications and popular polls as one of the greatest movies of all
time, this action-adventure film from acclaimed director Steven Spielberg earned more than
21 times its $18 million dollar budget following its release in the summer of 1981.
With this near-$400-million dollar cume, "Raiders" ranks amongst the top-25 highest grossing
films ever made, when adjusted for inflation.
Besides its impressive commercial success, the picture was also praised by critics, scoring
nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and winning for Best Art Direction,
Film Editing, Sound, and Visual Effects - with a "Special Achievement Award" for Sound Effects
Editing as well.
Harrison Ford portrays Indiana Jones, a ruggedly handsome archaeology professor who embarks
on dangerous quests to obtain rare artifacts.
The whip-cracking, fedora wearing hero is perhaps Ford's most iconic role, which given
his extensive filmography and near endless string of success, is saying quite a lot.
Conceived from writer George Lucas's desire to modernize the Saturday matinee serials
of the 1930s and 40s, the 115-minute story sees Jones hired by the US Government to track
down the famed Ark Of The Covenant before the Nazis can get a hold of it.
It's a plain old "good vs. evil" narrative, but the PG-rated film excels because of this
simplicity.
Ford imbues all of the trademark characteristics of the confident and invincible hero; and,
in fact, never once losses his hat during all the excitement.
He portrays this iconic protagonist with humor, charm, fear, vulnerability, strength, anger,
and faith- to create a multifaceted character all audiences still love rooting for 35 years
later.
When pressed for details regarding an ambitious rescue plan, Indy simply barks, "I don't know,
I'm making this up as I go!"
Although he'll be 75 years old when filming commences on the recently announced fifth
installment - he's so perfectly cast in this role, I wouldn't have it any other way.
As his romantic foil and ex-lover, Karen Allen holds her own, and brings a great deal of
warmth and purpose to the otherwise narrowly focused script.
Their chemistry is contentious, flirtatious and believable.
Paul Freeman and Ronald Lacey are featured as the bad guys, and although they're generally
uninteresting - they deliver just enough personality and threats to make their villainous personas
stand out.
Plus, the latter has one of the all-time coolest on-screen deaths in movie history.
John Ryhs-Davies, Denholm Elliot, and Alfred Molina do marvelous work in smaller supporting
roles - as allies and untrustworthy guides.
The problem-solving, clue-discovery, and character interactions in "Raiders Of The Lost Ark"
are all excellent, and surprisingly entertaining - but obviously, the real bread and butter
are the action set-pieces.
Chief among them is a legendary cold-open that famously ends with Ford out-running a
massive boulder he accidentally booby-trapped.
Later, he chases after a Nazi caravan on horseback, knocks out a bunch of soldiers onboard a truck,
gets dragged between the wheels, and climbs back up to finish the job.
The six-minute sequence is pure, unadulterated fun; the classic components of what makes
a great action movie boiled down to its essential components.
It may not be the biggest, or most expensive scene - but its brilliant execution, careful
pacing, impressive stunt work, incredible sound, and easy-to-follow choreography make
this a textbook example of how to entertain.
For my money, this self-contained chase may very well be the best scene in action movie
history.
Spielberg's direction throughout is sharp and steadfast - using long-takes and deep
focus to show off the large sets and fantastic production design.
A foray into the snake-infested "Well Of The Souls" is photographed with tall shadows and
warm firelight.
Audio pioneer Ben Burtt's inventive work with foley recordings gives the feature some incredible
and convincing sound.
A majority of the punches and body-blows were in fact created by hitting a pile of leather
jackets with a baseball bat.
The visuals effects are kept to a minimum until the picture's climax, where Industrial
Light & Magic continues to impressive; by visualizing the intangible.
From the playful whimsy of "The Basket Game", to the romantic and tender "Marion's Theme"
- John Williams' score is a true masterpiece.
The titular "Raiders March" is one of the most recognizable pieces in cinematic music
for a reason; a decidedly defiant and powerful anthem for our thrill-seeking hero.
It also served as my ringtone for most of my mid-20s.
The only real criticism I even have about this film is that our protagonist is largely
inconsequential to the developments of the plot.
Almost everything would have played out exactly the same with or without his involvement.
Indiana Jones is ostensibly a bystander to his own movie.
This nitpicking notwithstanding, the film has proven to be incredibly popular and wildly
influential - spawning three sequels, a prequel, a television series, over a dozen video games,
and plenty of merchandising.
Even Indy's hat and jacket are on display at the Smithsonian museum.
It may not have any broad thematic message, or emotional depth - but its near-perfect
filmmaking just the same.
A believable and thrilling experience on every viewing - I simply cannot recommend this movie
enough.
In a career filled with Oscar victories and box office hits, "Raiders Of The Lost Ark"
remains Spielberg's magnum opus and the quintessential adventure film.
Now let's see what you had to say about it.
You used words like "classic", "best", and "masterpiece", so it's no surprise everyone
rated this a TEN out of ten.
That does it for this quick excerpt - but if you'd like to watch full episodes of "Movie
Night", and submit your own reviews to be included on the show, please visit the Jogwheel
YouTube channel.
My name is Jonathan Paula, thanks for watching and have a good Movie Night!