“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) – Steven Spielberg’s Iconic Introduction to Indiana Jones

Director: Steven Spielberg

Writer: Lawrence Kasdan

Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman

‘Timeless Classic’

“Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” is directed by Steven Spielberg. Its script is written by Lawrence Kasdan and the story is created by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. This is the first instalment in the Indiana Jones franchise. It stars Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, and Alfred Molina. The plot follows archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), who is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis. The film was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, however it ended up winning only 4. These included for Best Art Decoration, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound.

Steven Spielberg is a master at shifting genres. He has made films like “Jaws” in comparison to “Saving Private Ryan” and “E.T.”. This first instalment in the Indiana Jones franchise is a timeless and highly memorable classic. It is a joyful, and breathtaking ride from the opening scene all the way to the end credits. Not a single moment in this film is dull or boring. The pacing is excellent and Spielberg manages to enhance the film by offering nonstop entertainment. His direction blends in beautifully with the gorgeous cinematography. The script by Lawrence Kasdan is filled with memorable dialogue and represents full commitment.

Harrison Ford delivers a fantastic performance in one of his most iconic roles up to date. Ford is extremely good looking, but he also carries strong characterization with each character he plays. This was one of Ford’s major roles that got him popular at the time period. Karen Allen is beautiful and charming as Marion. She demonstrates a likeability and certain screen presence. The rest of the cast including Paul Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, and Alfred Molina are great in their roles.

John William’s score is terrific. It literally takes the film to another level. Williams has composed scores for films like “Harry Potter”, “Schindler’s List”, and “Superman”. He is widely known as one of the best composers in the world. This film adds to his already impressive collection of scores.

“Raiders of the Lost Ark” is a classic adventure film. A delightful blockbuster that succeeds in every area. This is recommended for any movie-buff because it is simply an unforgettable piece of Cinema.

5/5 stars