Raiders of the Lost Ark

1981 1 hr 55 min

PG

In 1936, quick-witted and intrepid archaeologist Indiana Jones (portrayed with wry humor and charm by Harrison Ford) is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers. Resurrecting the action serials of the ‘40s, this legendary collaboration between filmmakers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas helped redefine the possibilities of big-budget adventure cinema.

Every action hero deserves an anthem to match their greatness, and the “Raiders March” is as essential to defining Indiana Jones as his trademark whip and fedora. Whether Indy is trotting the globe, uncovering long-lost treasures, or cutting Nazis down to size, composer John Williams underscores his hero’s glorious feats of derring-do with pep and fanfare. He reached back to Max Steiner and other classic Hollywood composers for inspiration as he wrote the romantic melody for Indy’s scrappy paramour, Marion. Williams is also strategic when deploying his mysterious leitmotif representing the Ark of the Covenant, teasing an incomplete musical idea throughout and not allowing it to reach its full crescendo until the film’s fiery, gory climax. More than just memorable melodies, Williams’ rich score makes the adventure and the danger in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK feel exciting and real.

Director Steven Spielberg

Cast Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies

Country USA

Language English

Aspect 2.39

More info on IMDB ››