Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies

Archeologist and university proffesor Indiana Jones must retrieve the mythic Lost Ark of the Covenant before the it gets into the hands of Adolf Hitler who plans on using its power to guarantee his gl...( read more  read more... )obal conquest.

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93% liked it

735,433 ratings

Critics

94% liked it

47 critics

PG, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Release Date: June 1, 1981

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Flixster Reviews (33,664)


  • October 11, 2006
    The ultimate adventure,"Raiders Of The Lost Ark", introduces the world to a character who has become a pop-culture phenomenon and an reason why we go to the movies in the first place. Although it gets moderately gory by the time Ark is opened at the end, kids & adults will enjoy ...( read more)this classic 80's entertainment.
  • October 14, 2009
    Yes, I'm ashamed that I didn't see the entirety of Raiders of the Lost Ark until I was 24. Yes, I know that I must have some kind of internal scarring as a result. Yes, I know that there is no excuse that I can offer for not seeing this movie long before now. 

    Raiders of the Los...( read more)t Ark is an adventure movie in the truest sense of the word. The influence of the Indiana Jones series can be seen today in countless movies, tv shows, and video games. It seems like every other scene was iconic and familiar, even though I had never seen it before. I can only imagine what it was like watching this movie on the big screen when it was first released. I bet it was an amazing experience. 

    I had a good time watching the movie. The pacing was good, the story was good, and the eye-catching action just kept coming and coming. It really made me excited to see the other movies in the series.  
  • September 18, 2009
    Indiana Jones's first outing and a fantastic adventure film. Classic!
  • September 1, 2009
    There are only so many films in history that I can watch again and again, gaining new appreciation for, one of them is this film. I went from the movies to VHS, and finally to DVD. The availability and quality of this film keep raising the bar of what I can get from it.

    I read s...( read more)omeone posted that this is the king of B movies or something of that sort, while I honestly think in some scenes like when Indy is running from the Hovitos and he rises over the hill, the film had a really strange documentary feeling, like if a comic actually came to life and like in the Twilight Zone, you were stuck in it. It is great to see this film, now that I edit and produce small independent films, and have worked in post production in Los Angeles. I honestly think nearly every scene in this film is better than what's coming out today in sci-fi/adventure. I might pull back that comment in regards to some nice visuals in Riddick, and perhaps the new Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, but I'm not certain.

    The amount of time and effort put into the comedy, adventure, and depth of each character dazzles me because I really can't tell it was filmed the same year Fame was. It really has a unique look to it. The key lighting in the piece is amazing, almost everything looks like it was perfectly worked out.

    My only complaint is the attempt to visualize the opening of the Ark, as most of the other scenes don't deal with the supernatural except maybe a burning crate with a nazi symbol on it. George should redo that last scene in my opinion, and tighten it up, because I really think it wasn't coming together, however when I was a child it was so amazing and scary realistic. It's all perspective, but my point it that now in this modern filming era, the acting and film production is holding tight to this day.

    I forward you to just enjoy this film and look for things like formulas on chalkboards, skeletons in classrooms, proper patches on Nazi gear, gun accuracy. Research the film's era and background, and it only gets better. That's the ability that Spielberg and Lucas have, attention to detail and clever twists on most of their bodies of work.

    Watch this film again, it's worth it, I promise you.
  • May 19, 2009
    Swashbucklers were deeply unfashionable at the time when Raiders was made, and it took the talents of the then new golden boy of Hollywood to breathe new life into the genre. With a bespectacled alter ego who is a million miles away from his action man persona like an archaeologi...( read more)cal Clark Kent, Indiana Jones became an iconic action figure who was often knocked on his backside, played fair only when it suited him and was far more interested than his treasure than getting the girl. Sound familiar? Yes without Raiders, Captain Jack would probably never have existed. Like POTC, this film takes its cues from the golden age of the Hollywood swashbuckler, to the point where Ronald Lacey's sinister yet effeminate secret policeman and Paul Freeman's amoral gentleman rogue could easily have been mistaken for Peter Lorre and Sidney Greenstreet respectively. The action is as superbly handled by Spielberg as always, the truck chase scene being one of the all time great stunt sequences and the wholly unexpected finale that blends religious mythology with gothic horror is fantastic. A perfectly judged combination of slam bang set pieces and humour that makes for flawless family entertainment.
  • November 20, 2009
    I love this movie one of my all time favorites.
  • November 20, 2009
    A landmark in film and a nice homage to pulp adventure stories of the 20s and 30s. Harrison Ford was perfectly casted in the now iconic role of Indiana Jones. The visual style of the movie is like no other, it looks incredibly real and convincing, The story is a great adventure t...( read more)ale, full of action and excitement. It's intelligent, while also being incredibly fun at the same time.
  • November 19, 2009
    Indiana Jones. I always knew some day you'd come walking back through my door.-Marion Ravenwood

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    Director:Steven Spielberg
    Cast:Harrison Ford,Karen Allen,Paul Freeman,John Rhys Davies,Denholm Elliot
    Genre:Action,Adventure
    Year of release:1981
    Running Time:111 minutes

    Plot:
    The year is 1936. A professor who studies archeology named Indiana Jones is venturing in the jungles in South America searching for a golden statue. Unfortunately, he sets off a deadly trap doing so, miraculously, he escapes. Then, Jones hears from a museum curator named Marcus Brody about a biblical artifact called The Ark of the Covenant, which can hold the key to humanly existence. Jones has to venture to vast places such as Nepal and Egypt to find this artifact. However, he will have to fight his enemy Renee Belloq and a band of Nazis in order to reach it.

    Review:
    With no doubt one of the greatest movies of all time and an absolutely phenomenal film.More than just a tribute to the 1930īs adventure serials,Raiders of the Lost Ark changed the adventure genre forever.I watched Raiders back at 2005 on DVD and it become my all favorite movie.Personally,no movie will beat this classic in my opinion and Raiders of the Lost Ark has everything i love in a movie:action,comedy,great scenes and a memorable character.This is the movie that will never die.
    Raiders introduced to the world one of the most iconic heroes of cinema history:Indiana Jones,the daredevil and charming archaeologist who travels around the world to find legendary artefacts and at the same time gets into the most incredibles but dangerous situations.

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    Harrison Ford delivers a great perfomance as Indiana Jones.He was meant to play Indy.Ford gives the attitude,the personality and the charm that made Indy a legend and he also gives humanity to him on making his laughable fobhia of snakes very realistic.I love Harrison as Indy more than as Han Solo of Star Wars because he īs so cool and he always gets in very diferent situations.Ford is legendary and Indiana Jones was really made for him. I love Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood because she is the only woman that can handle Dr.Jones.Allen is a great actress and very strong as well.Paul Freeman is excellent as Indy s arch-nemesis Rene Belloq.What i love about Belloq is he knows Indy better than noboby and he īs always one step of him.Belloq is the best villain of the series along Irina Spalko of the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.Ronald Lacey is preety damn scary as Toth,John Rhys Davies is so funny as Sallah and the late great Denholm Elliot is unforgettable as Marcus Brody.

    Steven Spielbergīs direction made this movie a instant classic.Iīm a huge of him since ever and he created such iconic scenes as the famous boulder chase which is the best action sequence of all time and my favorite scene ever.

    The sequels may be good but Raiders is where everything starts.Like a rollercoaster,Raiders of the Lost Ark doesnīt stop every second and offers the audience a great time.The greatest action-adventure masterpiece of cinematic history,the adventure has now a real name:Indiana Jones.
  • November 19, 2009
    Voted the best action film of all time. I think it probably is
  • November 18, 2009
    Classic! With all the thrills, great characters, funny moments and excitement of great adventure thrillers!

Critic Reviews


Comments


  • SkywalkerJones
    January 15, 2009
    My favorite movie ever.Timeless classic.
  • SkywalkerJones
    October 2, 2008
    2 down.2 to go.
  • thedoctor2k7
    May 12, 2008
    this film is the best film harrison ever did it's so gd i'm going to see the foruth when it comes out
  • yona71
    May 10, 2008
    What a brilliant film and character! I've been a die hard fan since I was nine.
    Cheers
  • SkywalkerJones
    October 7, 2007
    Indiana Jones is my idol forever.
  • SkywalkerJones
    June 26, 2007
    īthe background is awesome.
  • artisticboy92
    April 17, 2007
    it was...okay, i liked the plot and some of the action sequences were good but i didnt feel that impressed by it and the acting kinda sucked plus there was nv a moment watching the movie that i felt totally into the world of indiana jones plus his girlfriend or w/e was REALLY annoying..hoping the 2nd 1 will b a little better
  • therealkurtflurt
    February 25, 2007
    A GOOD MOVIE HEY YOU SEXY GIRL'S CAN I RAID YOUR VICTORIA'S SECRET DRAW LOL !
  • TheMess
    December 8, 2006
    Easily one of the best films ever made!
  • SkywalkerJones
    November 3, 2006
    my all time favorite movie.

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Raiders of the Lost Ark (Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark) Trivia

Raiders of the Lost Ark (Indiana ... Trivia


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