Dandy Cat

Raiders of the Lost Ark was written by Lawrence Kasdan and directed by Steven Spielberg. It was released in 1981. The film was produced by Paramount Pictures and Lucasfilm. The titles were created by the MGM Titles department.

Archaeologist Indiana Jones, played by Harrision Ford, discovers that the Nazis, led by rival archaeologist René Belloq, played by Paul Freeman are hot on the trail of the Ark of the Covenant, the chest holding the Ten Commandments. Indy is recruited by the U.S. Army to recover the Ark before Adolf Hitler can use it to make his army invincible. Reuniting with old flame Marion Ravenwood, played by Karen Allen, and friend Sallah, played by John Rhys-Davies, the trio sets off on a globe-crossing adventure to find the Ark so it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

Coming off the one-two knockouts of Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, it’s no surprise that this film quickly became a critical and commercial success. What’s a little more surprising, even to some of the stars of the film, is how influential and beloved the movie has become since its release. It’s a thrilling and moving film, to be sure, but a crown jewel in the history of cinema? Who ever expects something like that to happen? Something like James Cameron’s Avatar is undeniably more financially successful,¹ but you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who holds Avatar in higher esteem. They’re both action-adventure films, made with the height of filmmaking technology at their respective production times. Yet, here we are. Due to its amazing performances, stellar direction, and a closing sequence that still boggles the mind, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a film that will be remembered forever. 🎞