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Raiders of the Lost Ark

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 3 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #3370 in Movies & TV, #80933 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

Making Movie History

 

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark...History for most movie-goers my age began back in 1981, when two giants of cinematic storytelling came together to bring a legendary hero to life for us. Henry Jones, Jr., or Indiana -- Indy to most of us -- came to us bigger than life from the moment he cracked his whip and stepped out of the shadows in the jungles of South America and on to the greatest silver screen adventure not seen since the golden age of cinema. This lens serves as my homage to the greatest movie, the greatest actor and the greatest storytellers of all time. IMHO

P.S.: Please don't forget to rate my lens above...

The Greatest Movie of All Time - IMHO 

Raiders of the Lost Ark (also known as Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark) is a 1981 adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas and starring Harrison Ford. It is the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise, and pits Indiana Jones (played by Ford) against the Nazis, who search for the Ark of the Covenant, to make their army invincible. Indiana and the Nazis search for a medallion, owned by Indy's former girlfriend Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), which will pinpoint the Well of Souls in Egypt, the Ark's resting place. The film also co-starred Paul Freeman as Indiana's nemesis, French archaeologist Rene Belloq; John Rhys-Davies as Indiana's sidekick, Sallah; and Denholm Elliott as Indiana's colleague, Marcus Brody.

The film originated in Lucas' desire to create a modern version of the serials of the 1930s and 1940s. Production was based at Elstree Studios, England, and filming also took place in La Rochelle, Tunisia, Hawaii, and California from June to September 1980.

Released on June 12, 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark became the top grossing film of 1981; it remains one of the highest-grossing movies ever made. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, in 1982 and won four. The film's critical and popular success led to three additional films, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, as well as The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles television series.

Cast of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" 

Harrison Ford..........Indiana Jones
Karen Allen............Marion Ravenwood
Paul Freeman...........Dr. Rene Belloq
Ronald Lacey...........Major Arnold Toht
John Rhys-Davies.......Sallah
Denholm Elliot.........Dr. Marcus Brody
Alfred Molina..........Satipo
Wolf Kahler............Colonel Dietrich
Anthony Higgins........Gobler
Vic Tablian............Barranca/Monkey Man
Don Fellows............Col. Musgrove
William Hootkins.......Major Eaton
Fred Sorenson..........Jock
George Harris..........Katanga
Pat Roach..............Giant Sherpa/1st Mechanic

Have You "Scene" This Movie? 

Or have you been living in a cave off Nova Scotia for the last 30 Years?

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Raiders of the Lost Ark Original Theatrical Trailer 

The narrator of this film trailer is the epitomy of 70s/early 80s film trailer narration...

Raiders of the Lost Ark - Theatrical Trailer

"The creators of JAWS and STAR WARS now bring you the ultimate hero in the ultimate adventure". The classic first adventure of Indiana Jones, directed by Steven Spielberg, executive-produced by George Lucas. Starring Harrison Ford and Karen Allen. [Downloaded from www.movie-list.com]

Runtime: 2:40
133089 views
10 Comments:

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My favorite scene (of many) 

from "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

A unique way of reviewing a movie...hope you will like it. Be sure to mark this lens as a favorite because this module will be constantly changing, and you won't want to miss a thing!

Novelized Scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark

An interesting NOTE: the name of the Indian guide in both the original screenplay and at IMDB is written as "Satipo". However, when you watch the movie, Harrison Ford, when he recovers the idol from the spiked Indian guide, says: "Adios Sapito." I am going here in this scene with the original screenplay and IMDB. Sorry Harrison.

Indy and Satipo entered a long, darkened hallway. Light from sunshafts ran intermittently through the dank interior. Turning a corner, Indy stepped briefly into shadow. At the far end of the chamber, his eyes rested upon his goal: the idol of the Chuchapoyan Warrior. It was this small, golden head that he had risked his life to obtain, and it was right before him. Resting his hands on his hips, he grinned, stopping to admire the yellow gold glinting in the sunlight. It rested upon a dias, bathed in the warm glow from outside. It was also smiling back at the archaeologist.

Satipo started forward. "Let us hurry. There is nothing to fear here."

Amazing, Indy thought, how quickly a coward can turn brave in the face of greed. He rushed Satipo, stopping his advancement, and pushed the Indian guide roughly against the nearby wall. "That's what scares me."

Indy eyed the ground leading up to the idol's pedestal. Something about it didn't sit well with him. The pattern, dark oval brick spread out in a checkerboard fashion, seemed out of place with the rest of the temple. He reached for Satipo's torch, which had long since burned itself out. Kneeling before one of the oval bricks, Indy traced its edge, covered in dirt and rotting leaves. Beneath, a gap showed. Just as he thought, Indy mused. The gap was too wide to be set ornamentally in the floor here. This had to be another trap set by the ancient inhabitants of this temple.

He looked over at Satipo. The Indian had no clue what they were looking at. So Indy knocked the base of the torch down heavily on the oval brick. Suddenly the brick receded, easily dropping a few inches on archaic mechanisms. Half a breath later, a barbed, metallic arrow flew at them from a hole along the wall, where warriors of time past stared open-mouthed at the archaeologist and his unwary guide. With a deep thud, the arrow embedded itself in the torch stump.

Indy handed the wounded torch stump back to Satipo and stood. "Stay here," he pointed.

"If you insist, senor," the relieved Indian nodded.

...to be continued...

It's all in the cast... 

The characters make the story...

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Raiders of the Lost Ark around the Web 

When this Lens is not enough

Raiders of the Lost Ark on IMDB
Directed by Steven Spielberg. With Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman. Archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find ...
Indiana Jones -- Official Site
Official site from Lucasfilm. Features synopsis of Indy's film and television adventures. Also includes information on the hobby aspect such as: gaming, ...
Raiders of the Lost Ark - (1981)
Review with a plot synopsis and descriptions of key events in the film.
Raiders of the Lost Ark Box Office
Raiders of the Lost Ark summary of box office results, charts and release information and related links.

Indy on Squidoo 

Please visit other lensmasters as they pay tribute to the man in the fedora...

Is "Raiders of the Lost Ark" the Greatest Movie of all time? 

Storyteller thinks so, how about you?

PleasantValley

I'm impressed by the depth of this lens. Actually, I've been torn between this film and the third one. Like Al mentioned, I don't know if it's the greatest film of all time, but definitely one of the best in its genre.

Posted May 26, 2008

AlStewart

Dunno about greatest movie, but certainly up there for best action / adventure. From the excellent work you've put into your lens, I'm guessing you'd disagree :-)

Cheers.

Posted May 16, 2008

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Storyteller

About Storyteller

I learned to read from the age of 3 - newspapers with mom were my most enjoyable. In the 4th grade, I was introduced to writing stories - that was 1976! - and I have been enjoying the craft ever since.

 

My interests lie in movies, television, reading, history and writing.

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