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Set in 1936, Raiders of the Lost Ark follows Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), an archaeologist and adventurer that goes around the world recovering ancient relics. But when he is recruited by the US Army to find the Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself caught between rival and arch-nemesis Belloq (Paul Freeman) and the Nazis that hired him.
This is yet another film I've seen dozens of times since I was a kid. I consider it to be the epitome of what an adventure film should be. From the iconic opening with the booby-trapped temple and the rolling ball in Peru to the underground hunt in Egypt, Spielberg creates numerous memorable setpieces that set the template for future adventure films. But he anchors them with a charismatic performance by Ford.
He is joined by an excellent ensemble with Karen Allen being a tough and spunky companion and John Rhys-Davies as his loyal Egyptian partner. Freeman is pretty good as Jones counterpart, and does well in portraying the contrast and similarities between the two, but I've always enjoyed the hell out of Ronald Lacey's performance as Toht, the evil Nazi agent that joins Belloq.
That is just an example of the great things the film has in its favor. Spielberg does right everything that he needs to do right, along with a talented cast and crew, which is why this film has stood the test of time. Numerous adventure films have come after, but in my opinion, none have managed to surpass it. Films like The Mummy or The Avengers are good, but this, this *is* history.
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RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
(1981, Spielberg)
(1981, Spielberg)
"All your life has been spent in pursuit of archaeological relics. Inside the Ark are treasures beyond your wildest aspirations. You want to see it opened as well as I. Indiana, we are simply passing through history. This, this *is* history."
Set in 1936, Raiders of the Lost Ark follows Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), an archaeologist and adventurer that goes around the world recovering ancient relics. But when he is recruited by the US Army to find the Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself caught between rival and arch-nemesis Belloq (Paul Freeman) and the Nazis that hired him.
This is yet another film I've seen dozens of times since I was a kid. I consider it to be the epitome of what an adventure film should be. From the iconic opening with the booby-trapped temple and the rolling ball in Peru to the underground hunt in Egypt, Spielberg creates numerous memorable setpieces that set the template for future adventure films. But he anchors them with a charismatic performance by Ford.
He is joined by an excellent ensemble with Karen Allen being a tough and spunky companion and John Rhys-Davies as his loyal Egyptian partner. Freeman is pretty good as Jones counterpart, and does well in portraying the contrast and similarities between the two, but I've always enjoyed the hell out of Ronald Lacey's performance as Toht, the evil Nazi agent that joins Belloq.
That is just an example of the great things the film has in its favor. Spielberg does right everything that he needs to do right, along with a talented cast and crew, which is why this film has stood the test of time. Numerous adventure films have come after, but in my opinion, none have managed to surpass it. Films like The Mummy or The Avengers are good, but this, this *is* history.
Grade: