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Can you believe that it’s been 45 years since Raiders of the Lost Ark first graced the silver screen? When George Lucas and Steven Spielberg get together, incredible things happen, and that was certainly the case here with the very first Indiana Jones adventure. Harrison Ford stars as Indy in this pulse-pounding, globe-trotting thrill, and after all this time, it continues to prove itself to be not only the best adventure movie of all time, but perhaps one of the best films ever made.
Raiders is a masterclass in action, character work, suspense, and pulp-inspired storytelling that helped shape pop culture more than we dared believe it could. Spawning several sequels, a television show, video games, and even comic books, Indiana Jones revived the B-picture genre as an A-list form of entertainment. So, what makes Raiders the best adventure movie ever made? Here are some of the reasons we consider the first theatrical Indy outing to be superior to all others.
It’s Harrison Ford At His Best as Indiana Jones
In his career, Harrison Ford has played Indiana Jones in live-action on six separate occasions (yes, including that one episode of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles), but when you put them all together, he’s still at his best here in Raiders. His cowboy-like swagger commands every moment he’s on the screen, from that initial introduction with the whip to the moment he shows up with a rocket launcher threatening to blow up the Ark of the Covenant. Ford perfectly embodies Indiana Jones in the same way he does Han Solo, with natural charisma.
Additionally, Raiders of the Lost Ark also allows Ford to explore his more sensitive side. Apart from being a badass teacher-turned-adventurer (and he’s certainly that), the film allows it’s leading star to occasionally offer glimpses of the man underneath, yet without removing that masculine exterior. We see this in his despair at Marion’s (Karen Allen) apparent death, as well as his several defeats at the hands of René Belloq (Paul Freeman). No matter his emotional state, Indy is still Indy.
All the Incredible Sets and Locations
It’s not uncommon for movies, and especially Hollywood blockbusters, to be filmed on large blue-screen sets these days. While there is a time and place for digital scenery, Raiders is impressive for its attention to detail and masterfully-constructed set pieces that make the whole thing feel larger than life. The snake temple in Tanis, for example, is a brilliant piece of work that is as much a character as those trying desperately to escape the slithering around them (the use of real snakes also perfectly adds to the suspense).
Additionally, the film’s on-location shoots in Tunisia and Hawaii, in particular, perfectly simulates Egypt and Peru is that we instantly believe it. It doesn’t feel like some poor digital recreation that takes us out of the adventure, but rather adds to the mystique and overall production value. While Raiders spent plenty of time in the studio, its use of place elevates the material.
The Perfect Mixture of Science and Religion
It can be quite difficult for modern blockbusters to so effortlessly balance the notions of science and religion in the same way that Raiders of the Lost Ark does. For every Disclosure Day that does the mixture injustice, there is a Project Hail Mary that honors both faith and fact in different ways. But back in 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark perfected the idea by sending a skeptic archeologist after one of the most enchanting biblical discoveries out there, forcing him to confront the supernatural despite his opposing beliefs.
Raiders of the Lost Ark never shoves religion down one’s throat, but it does highlight this Old Testament object as a source of incredible power desired by the Nazis in their growing schemes to take over the world. Because the Ark is so central to the plot (not unlike the Holy Grail in The Last Crusade), Indy and those in search of the relic are forced to confront it through more secular, scientific methods — at least until they cannot deny its power. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, Raiders feels like it’s made for everyone.
The Practical Effects Still (Mostly) Hold Up
For years now, audiences have lamented the absence of practical effects in many blockbusters, with many noting the decline in quality of CGI over the years. Wherever you fall in that debate, there’s no doubt that Raiders of the Lost Ark‘s use of practical effects is part of its charm. From the giant boulder that nearly crushes our hero to the sweeping car chases and explosions, everything about the film feels real, tangible, and authentic. Yes, even the infamous face-melting sequence.
Admittedly, not every practical effect used in Raiders holds up to scrutiny. Belloq’s demise, for instance, could have been done better today. That said, there’s a certain charm to terrifying moments like Arnold Toht’s (Ronald Lacey) face melting before our eyes that we cannot deny — the technical aspects alone are so enrapturing as we wonder how Spielberg and company pulled it off.
The Romance Between Indy and Marion
Not all of Indiana Jones’ on-screen romances are particularly engaging, but what made Marion Ravenwood great from the get-go was that she was a woman who could rival Indy’s confidence. When we first meet her in Nepal, she’s drinking her customers under the table, and when Indy arrives looking for her father’s amulet, she is not duped by his pleas, but rather sees right through them. Marion knows Indy better than perhaps anyone, and it’s for this reason that the pair work so well together — and always return to one another.
Raiders of the Lost Ark doesn’t make more of its romantic subplot than it ought, yet Marion remains an important fixture in Indy’s journey that makes it all worth it in the end. The chemistry between Ford and Allen is exceptional, rivaling even the riveting on-screen romance between Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in The Mummy. Without it, Raiders would be without its heart.
It’s Loaded With Meaningful Action
Another thing that sets Raiders of the Lost Ark apart from its contemporaries is the film’s purposeful use of action. There are no over-the-top overly-choreographed fight sequences just for the sake of it, nor does anything come across as ham-fisted or inauthentic. Every action sequence has a clear purpose, and in the moments where Raiders teeters toward redundancy, the picture reins itself in.
One famous behind-the-scenes tidbit from the set of Raiders is that Ford suggested that the initial three-page whip-versus-gun battle between Indy and the Arab swordsman be cut short. Rather than repeat the same “Indy’s whip saves the day” beat as previously expressed earlier in the film, our hero takes the villain down with a single shot — and it works masterfully in the picture. Just another example of how self-restraint can do wonders in moviemaking.
John Williams’ Triumphant and Immersive Score
Although John Williams had already blown audiences away with his scores for Star Wars and Superman, the composer defied the odds by doing so once again with Raiders of the Lost Ark. The famous “Raiders March” is a well-known piece of musical genius that sets a clear tone for the picture, establishing Indy as our leading hero, highlighting each romantic beat, and keeping us on the edge of our seats. It doesn’t just do everything that a good score should do, it excels with each new track.
Part of the reason that the Indiana Jones saga is so thoroughly rewatchable is because of Williams’ score. The rousing tune encourages the viewer to participate in the excitement and every time that familiar trumpet blast is heard, one is instantly transported to 1936 — or, at least 1981.
Visually Speaking, ‘Raiders’ Is Stunning
These days, even big-budget blockbusters feel like they’re shot like commercials and advertisements, but back when Raiders was first released, every shot was constructed like a painting. Part of this was the limited 35mm film stock that forced the filmmakers to be more selective with their time and resources, and part of it was the creative eye of cinematographer Douglas Slocombe, who shot the original trilogy.
In short, Raiders of the Lost Ark still looks great. The shot compositions, character blocking, and expert lighting techniques all combine to craft something that few can emulate today. It’s not just popcorn entertainment (though it is certainly that), it’s truly a work of cinematic art. No wonder it’s considered a crown jewel on the “Mount Rushmore” of Spielberg movies.
The Tight Script Hits All the Right Beats
A great film starts long before the cameras ever roll, and Raiders of the Lost Ark was destined for greatness the moment Lucas and Spielberg cracked the Indiana Jones character. Soon after, Lucas and Philip Kaufman went to work on the story, with Lawrence Kasdan penning the screenplay. Frankly, it’s one of the more perfect screenplays out there, especially when it comes to the adventure genre.
Raiders hits every story beat exactly when required, expertly balancing character work with plot in a 115-minute adventure that gives its heroes room to breath while never letting up on the stakes. There’s no excess fat here, as Raiders is well-trimmed and thoroughly brought to temperature. Not once are we bored, and that’s part of the magic.
‘Raiders’ Is George Lucas and Steven Spielberg At Their Best
Although both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas had their own respective careers and creative visions apart from one another, the two will always be tied together by Indiana Jones. Raiders of the Lost Ark is truly the pair at their collaborative and creative best, as Spielberg’s clear cinematic vision is on full display while Lucas’ role as a creative force magnifies the hero and his journey. Without one or the other, Raiders would not be what it is today.
No matter if you adore Star Wars or think Jaws is the best movie ever, when it comes to the adventure genre, Lucas and Spielberg knew how to evoke all the stories they grew up with and repurpose them into an action-packed thrill worthy of its title. As one of the most recognizable heroes in film history, Indiana Jones was only ever possible because of these two filmmakers. It’s just a shame they weren’t creatively involved in Ford’s final installment as the character.
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Michael John Petty
Almontather Rassoul
