I can hear you right now.
“Really? You’re reviewing Raiders of the Lost Ark for Horrorthon? That’s not a horror movie!”
Well, you’re right, it’s not. That said, it’s definitely a film that borrows from the genre even if it doesn’t embrace it. If you’ve got a thing about spiders, you’ll cringe when Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) has to wipe all of those tarantulas off of that guy’s shirt while they’re exploring the Peruvian temple. If you’ve got a thing about snakes, you’ll share Indiana’s reaction when the cobra hisses at him. And don’t even get me started on the justifiably famous finale. “It’s beautiful!” Belloq (Paul Freeman) shouts right before the angels turn into skeletons. A man’s eyes pop out of his head. Another one melts. Another explodes. There are plenty of scary moments in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but it’s such a thrill ride that the fear doesn’t necessarily linger the way that it would need to for Raiders to actually be considered a horror film. We’re too busy cheering on Indy and Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) to duck behind the couch. That said, I think Raiders of the Lost Ark is still a perfect film for the Halloween month. Though it was released a little before my time, I imagine that Indiana Jones, with his hat and his bullwhip, was a popular figure when Halloween rolled around in 1981.
I rewatched Raiders of the Lost Ark on Tuesday and, as always, I found myself more than a little amazed at how well it holds up. There’s not a single wasted moment. The action scenes are still exciting. The moments of humor — that poor swordsman! — still make me laugh. There’s not a single weak performance to be found in the film’s large cast. Denholm Elliott is instantly lovable as Prof. Brody and John Rhys-Davies plays Sallah with just the right amount of gusto. Ronald Lacey and Wolf Kahler are thoroughly hissable as the Nazi villains and Paul Freeman brings just enough wit to the role of the duplicitous Belloq that you can understand why he and Indiana were once friends. Of course, the film truly belongs to Karen Allen and Harrison Ford. Karen Allen projects a toughness and an inner strength that keeps Marion from being just another damsel-in-distress. Harrison Ford was the perfect choice for Indiana Jones and he’s equally believable whether he’s running through the jungle, falling into a crypt, or teaching a class. (Indiana is so cute when he puts on his glasses!) My mom always used to say that she liked the way Indiana would smile in a semi-confused way before taking decisive action. For all the arguments about why the last two Indiana Jones movies failed, the answer is pretty simple. They forgot that an Indiana Jones movie is supposed to be about Indiana Jones, not Shia LaBeouf and certainly not some condescending Brit. Harrison Ford is Indiana Jones. He’s the reason we watch.
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a film that is so good that I think there’s a tendency to take it for granted. That’s why, much like with the best of the James Bond films, I think it’s important to rewatch it and re-experience just how good it is. Producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg sought to recreate the experience of watching the serials and the adventure films of their youth and they succeeded. Spielberg directs like a man in love with the movies and, as a result, it’s hard not to fall in love with this movie.
Raiders of the Lost Ark was, of course, a huge box office success. It was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Harrison Ford was (unforgivably, in my opinion) not nominated for Best Actor. In the end, the Academy selected Warren Beatty over Steven Spielberg and Chariots of Fire over Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Jamie Shannon (Christopher Walken) is a professional mercenary who is hired, by a British businessman, to overthrow the government of Zangaro. Though Zangaro is currently ruled by a ruthless dictator, Shannon’s employers want to replace him with someone even worse, all so they can get their hands on the country’s platinum mines. After Shannon is captured and tortured by the government, he wants nothing else to do with Zangaro. Instead, he wants to return to New York and propose to his ex-wife (JoBeth Williams). But, when she turns down his proposal, Shannon and his mercenary army return to Zangaro.
Life on the planet Mongo is not easy. Aided by Darth Vader wannabe Klytus (Peter Wyngarde) and the sadistic General Kala (Mariangela Melato), the evil Emperor Ming (Max Von Sydow) rules with an iron fist. All of the citizens are heavily taxed and kept in a state of perpetual war in order to keep them from joining together and rebelling. Those who attempt to defy Ming are executed.
