Raiders Of The Lost Ark
George Lucas had the story, but not the time to direct. He was too deeply involved with his Star Wars movies. He described the idea to Steven Spielberg, suggesting he direct a film based on it. Spielberg agreed, and what evolved was Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film was not expected to be a blockbuster, but it was. It earned 5 Oscars and led to 3 more movies featuring the exploits of Indiana Jones. The name was changed to Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in keeping with the titles of these additional films.
Harrison Ford was not the first choice to play the lead, primarily because he had already appeared in two George Lucas films, American Graffiti and Star Wars. Tom Selleck was chosen, but his commitments to his television series, Magnum P. I., led him to turn down the role. Several other actors were considered before the role was finally offered to Harrison Ford shortly before production was to commence. The role turned Ford into a certified box office draw and is generally credited with making him a star.
Debra Winger had first refusal for the part of Marion Ravenwood. Karen Allen was then signed to play the part of Marion, the daughter of Indy’s mentor, Abner. John Rhys-Davies was cast as Sallah, Indiana’s Egyptian friend. The museum curator Marcus Brody was portrayed by Denholm Elliott. Paul Freeman was cast as Belloq, the French archaeologist who is Indy’s nemesis.
Total budget for the movie was about twenty million dollars. By comparison, the first Star Wars movie, released in 1977, had an eighteen million dollar budget. Blade Runner, filmed a year later, carried a twenty eight million dollar price tag. Raiders grossed in excess of $380 million at the box office, the most of any film that year. Paramount, who had finally agreed to finance the film after every other studio turned it down, was no doubt pleasantly surprised.
The action takes place in 1936, centering around the exploits of Indiana Jones, the archaeologist. He teaches at a college and travels to remote parts of the globe in search of valuable artifacts. Within the first few minutes, he hacks his way through the jungle and dodges booby traps to retrieve a priceless idol. Belloq, however, has a tribe of natives on his side, and forces Indy to hand over the idol. Jones escapes from the natives and goes back to the classroom. Almost immediately, he is contacted by federal agents, who tell him that the Nazis, led by Belloq, are after the Staff of Ra. Indy’s friend, Abner, is the last known owner of the staff. Indy realizes that the Nazis are searching for the Ark of the Covenant and flies to Nepal in search of Ravenwood. He finds Abner is dead, but the staff’s headpiece is in the possession of Abner’s daughter. Marion, however, bears Indy no love and delays giving him the headpiece. The Nazis raid her bar, and she and Indy escape with the headpiece. They endure many more dangerous encounters before finally losing the Ark to the Frenchman Belloq and his Nazi colleagues. However, Belloq wants to test the Ark before he delivers it to Adolph Hitler, so he opens it. This kills everyone except Jones and Marion, who keep their eyes closed. At the end, the Ark arrives in America and is promptly stored in a warehouse.
The film received Oscars for Sound Effects Editing, Visual Effects, Art Direction, Film Editing, and Sound. It received a nomination in the Best Picture category but did not win. Ben Burtt was in charge of sound effects while Industrial Light and Magic handled the visual effects. John Williams was nominated for his score but lost to Vangelis, who had scored the immensely popular movie, Chariots of Fire.
On location filming in Tunisia was challenging for members of both the crew and cast. The heat was oppressive, and many also fell victim to dysentery and other illnesses. The scene with the fancy sword work that ends with Indiana shooting the swordsman was not originally scripted. Ford was too ill to play the scene as it had been written and suggested the alternative. He also injured his knee when, during a fight scene, the wheel of an airplane rolled over his leg.
Since its premier, Raiders of the Lost Ark has been a perennial fan favorite. In 2008, a DVD version which included extras as well as correcting some errors was released. The film is also available in a boxed set.
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