Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

“Professor of Archeology, Expert on the Occult, and Obtainer of rare antiquities.” There is no better way to describe Indiana Jones than with these three statements. Full disclosure: this is one of the films on this prestigious list that I have seen. Another disclosure: when I was younger, perhaps a teenager, I, like many other young boys and girls, wanted to be an archeologist. I soon realised that being an archeologist involved a lot of studying and not as many opportunities to punch Nazis in the face. With that little excerpt from my life out of the way, let’s discuss “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” and why it has earned its place on the IMDb top 100 movies list.

I want to start by saying I will discuss this movie as though it’s August 14, 1981. We’ve just exited our local cinema, greeted by the cool night breeze as we hurry to the car. You start the engine, and rather than heading straight home, we find ourselves driving aimlessly around town, engrossed in discussing this thrilling adventure film that masterfully combines action, humour, and iconic moments. In other words, spoilers ahead.

Seven Notes

E, F, G, C, B-flat, A, and G. With these seven notes, a hero is born. Interestingly, we are first introduced to his theme as Indy swings from a vine, plunging into the water while desperately trying to flee from the natives chasing him. John Williams’s ability to create such iconic scores is unmatched, and the Indiana Jones theme is no exception. However, as memorable and legendary as the theme is, it’s Williams’s knack for crafting a tense, thrilling, and sometimes downright scary atmosphere that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. There is no Indiana Jones without John Williams.

John Williams

Shadows & Silhouettes

No stranger to giant blockbuster films, Steven Spielberg cemented his place in the pantheon of directors with “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” One could write a thousand-word essay on the directing masterclass he displayed in this film. I’d like to focus on one aspect I thoroughly enjoyed.

Navigating through dangerous and deadly obstacles, Indy encounters a particular trap. He advises Satipo (Alfred Molina) to “stay out of the light,” indicating that anything shining in the light is impaled. Spielberg conveys to the audience that light signifies danger. He then presents numerous shots of Indy either emerging from darkness into light, symbolising “stepping into danger,” or showcasing beautiful silhouetted frames. One standout moment is of Indy standing atop a sand hill with the sun setting behind him as they inch closer to the lost Ark, implying that his presence in darkness offers some comfort to our hero. Spielberg’s approach is absolutely brilliant.

Fry Pan vs Knife

With Indiana Jones serving as the titular character of this film and, for lack of a better term, “the hero,” there are numerous instances where Marion (Karen Allen) comes to Indy’s rescue. Is she absolutely stunning? Absolutely. Does the film emphasise this? Certainly. However, the film also portrays her as resilient, powerful, and strong. In one notable scene, she confronts a knife-wielding adversary armed only with a frying pan. After defeating him, she skillfully conceals his body. Talk about strength! Additionally, when Marion reconnects with “our hero” Indy, her first action is to reconnect her fist with his face, signalling that she’s not a woman to be trifled with. She can also drink you under the table.

The locations and set designs in the film were incredible, capturing an essence that the modern reliance on green screens and sound stages cannot replicate. Filming on location and being able to see the actors sweat because it’s legitimately hot, or having a fly land on Harrison Ford’s face because they’re in the desert, brings an air of authenticity. Knowing that during the major action set pieces, practical effects, miniatures, and traditional filmmaking techniques were primarily used for special effects, conveys a feeling of realism and helps the audience fully immerse themselves in the world.

A Flawed Hero

The great thing about Indiana Jones is that he is a flawed character. Multiple times when faced with the decision to save Marion or go after the treasure, he chooses the latter. When one-on-one with an enemy, he will resort to fighting dirty, whether that’s as simple as a kick to the groin or more extreme, such as shooting an enemy when their choice of weapon is a sword. Never bring a knife to a gunfight, I suppose. Dr. René Belloq (Paul Freeman) even points out to Indy, “You and I are very much alike,” and then boldly states, “I am a shadowy reflection of you.” The brilliance of a flawed character is that we are flawed as humans and can therefore relate to and empathise with the characters on screen.

And who brings this flawed, adventurous, resilient, and charismatic character to life? The one and only Harrison Ford. Coming off his portrayal of a similar character in Han Solo, Ford managed to differentiate the two brilliantly—a feat not many could achieve. Beyond his stellar acting, it’s Ford’s physicality that truly shines in the role. Consider the first time we see our hero on screen: his ability to step out of the shadow and into the frame, immediately conveying to the audience that THIS is our hero, is nothing short of phenomenal. From that to the more perilous task of clinging underneath a moving truck, Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones.

My one and only gripe with this film is how campy most of the fisticuffs scenes are. From the sound effects of the punches to how unchoreographed the fights appear, it’s noticeable. Conversely, I do realise that this is a me problem, as I’ve been spoiled by the choreographed nature of modern fisticuff scenes.

Favourite Scene

The Nazis have just commandeered the vessel transporting Indiana Jones, Marion, and the lost Ark. Surrounded by a massive submarine, Indy frantically rushes to Marion, hoping to secure her safety. However, he arrives too late, leaving him with no choice but to hide and await the perfect moment to strike.

With the Nazis now in possession of  Marion and the Ark, Captain Katanga gazes intently at the German U-Boat that has trespassed into his waters. His reverie is interrupted when a crewmate admits, “I can’t find Mr. Jones, Captain. I’ve searched everywhere.” Sternly, Captain Katanga responds, “He must be here somewhere. Look again.”

After scanning the surroundings, the crewmate excitedly declares, “I found him!” Without hesitation, Captain Katanga asks, “Where?” Pointing immediately, the crewmate joyfully replies, “There!”

As the camera swiftly pans and the unmistakable seven-note theme begins, we witness Indiana Jones climbing atop the German U-boat. Cheers erupt from Captain Katanga and his crew on their vessel. Accompanied by the triumphant Indiana Jones theme, Indy offers a playful salute before embarking on his daring rescue mission.