Entry 1: Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indy Timeline: 1936

Released: 1981

From the opening shot of the Paramount logo dissolving into the mountain in a South American jungle to the final image of the secret government warehouse as the credits roll, Raiders of the Lost Ark is as iconic as it is exciting from start to finish.  Although I have seen this movie dozens of times, I still enjoy watching as the intrepid American hero, Indiana Jones, races against the Nazis to find the Ark of the Covenant. 

Every shot in the movie is expertly planned and the pacing of the editing feels just right.  The famous original score (with the “Raiders March”) by John Williams, coupled with the excellent sound effects throughout, add up for a classic adventure that achieves (and surpasses) the feel and excitement of the 1930’s serial adventures that it was based on. 

Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones - an exciting and mysterious adventurer, scouring the globe for lost artifacts.  This character is a hero and an anti-hero, a scholar and a scoundrel.  He is first introduced hidden in the shadows of a South American rain forest, casually brushing off poisonous tarantulas from his terrified companion and dodging the bullets and poison darts of his would-be assassins.  This sequence precedes a depiction of the OTHER side of Indy- the academic Dr. Henry Jones Jr. – as he delivers an archeology lecture to his spellbound (and mostly female) students. 

His love interest in the film, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), is every bit as strong and worldly as he – punching Indy in the face before taking a drag from her cigarette in her remote Nepalese bar.  The supporting cast is also excellent- veteran British actor Denholm Elliott acts as a conservative father figure and mentor to Indy as Marcus Brody.  John Rhys-Davies plays Sallah, Indy’s avuncular Egyptian friend, who serves as a helper and guide to Indy in 1930’s Cairo. 

Equally as compelling are the villains playing Indy’s Nazi foes as he races to capture the Ark.  The character actor Ronald Lacey plays Toht, a creepy and sinister Nazi always dressed in black.  Indy’s main adversary is Dr. Rene Belloq (played by Paul Freeman), who, in his own words, is a “shadowy reflection” of Dr. Jones himself. 

The storytelling in the film is direct and creative.  The moments of expanded exposition are rare, and when they do occur, are cleverly delivered.  For example, in Indy’s initial meeting with the US government officials, various props are used to keep the viewer engaged as the history of the Ark of the Covenant is explained (a giant leather book, a chalk board, etc.). 

Generally though, the movie goes at a fast clip, from one action set piece to the next.  The action sequences are many and all are well done (truck chase, flying wing fight, Raven Bar brawl, etc.).  They have a gritty authentic feel, although they are all slightly unbelievable.  The film was released in the pre-CGI era, meaning that much of the action is authentic (they really DID send a stuntman underneath that truck) and those snakes (and tarantulas) are REAL.  Again, the fast pace and expert editing of these sequences mean that the viewer is on to the next sequence before they can question how absurd the previous one was. 

There is also a lot of humor in the film.  While this can be campy and silly at times (see the frying pan to the head gag), for the most part it is actually quite funny (see the fate of the Cairo swordsman or Sallah’s reaction to unearthing the Asps).  While the movie has some darker moments as well (notably Indy’s bender following the “death” of Marion), the overall tone of the movie is on the lighter side, making for a fun ride. 

By the end of the film, the viewer has been to South America, the USA, Nepal, Egypt, a Greek island, and back to the US (to DC).  All of this adds up to a film that has the genuine feel of a great rollercoaster ride.

Indy Rating: 10/10