Review of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) by Norman B — 25 Sep 2013

When doctor Indiana Jones the professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist and adventurer is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime. Raiders of the lost ark has some suspect plot points and they are easily ignored I mean hey it was released back in 1981 so I won't knock them for that. Executive producer George Lucas gets the credit for the film's great idea in 1936, a heroic archaeologist braves dangers to seek out hidden treasures and protect them from hands of bad individuals. Beyond the notion of the globe trotting professor adventure , Lucas concept was to breathe new life into an old theatrical form the cliffhanger serial, with its roller coaster structure constantly building up thrills. Lucas shares story credit with Philip Kaufman, with the screenplay credited to Lawrence Kasdan.

Spielberg lends his expertise to witty and inventive action sequences, scored to perfection by movie music mister John Williams. The chases and brawls with their attendant stunts, photography, and editing are the measure of all action films since in their clarity and high energy. The film also created a winning formula that lent itself to three sequels a mission of great import to retrieve an artifact of cultural significance and supernatural power. The journey is amazing, with Jones proving his mettle, but in the end meeting profound forces with awe and humility. The religious overtones archetypal play of shadow and light, and brushes with mortality are yet more canny choices on the part of pop masters Spielberg and Lucas. They know filmgoers sit down wanting to get carried away, to invest themselves in a story not only to suspend disbelief, but to believe. Reality can wait for two hours as you kick back, relax, and enjoy an adventure.