Raiders of the Lost Ark: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Short description|1981 film by Steven Spielberg}}

{{About|the 1981 film by Steven Spielberg}}

{{Featured article}}

{{Use American English|date=April 2023}}

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Lucas conceived ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' in the early 1970s. Seeking to modernize the [[serial film]]s of the early 20th century, he developed the idea further with Kaufman, who suggested the Ark as the film's goal. Lucas eventually focused on developing his 1977 film ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]''. Development on ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' resumed that year when he shared the idea with Spielberg, who joined the project several months later. While the pair had ideas for set pieces and stunts for the film, they hired Kasdan to fill in the narrative gaps between them. [[Principal photography]] began in June 1980 on a $20{{nbsp}}million budget, and concluded that September. Filming took place on sets at [[Elstree Studios (Shenley Road)|Elstree Studios]], England, and on location mainly in [[La Rochelle]], France, Tunisia, and Hawaii.

Pre-release polling showed little audience interest in the film leading up to its June 12, 1981, release date, especially compared to ''[[Superman II]]''. Despite this, ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' became the [[1981 in film|highest-grossing film of the year]], earning approximately $354{{nbsp}}million worldwide, and played in some theaters for over a year. It was also a critical success, receiving praise for its set pieces, humor, and action. The film was nominated for several awards, and won [[54th Academy Awards|five Academy Awards]], [[9th Saturn Awards|seven Saturn Awards]], and [[35th British Academy Film Awards|one BAFTA]], among other accolades.

''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' is now considered one of the [[greatest films ever made]] and has had a lasting impact on [[popular culture]], spawning a host of imitators across several media and inspiring other filmmakers. The United States [[Library of Congress]] selected it for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]] in 1999. ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' is the first entry in what became the [[Indiana Jones|''Indiana Jones'' franchise]], which includes four more films—''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom|Temple of Doom]]'' (1984), ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade|Last Crusade]]'' (1989), ''[[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull|Kingdom of the Crystal Skull]]'' (2008), and ''[[Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny|Dial of Destiny]]'' (2023)—a [[The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles|television series]], [[Indiana Jones#Video games|video games]], [[Indiana Jones#Comic books|comic books]], [[Indiana Jones#Novels|novels]], theme park attractions, and toys.

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{{multiple image|total_width=300

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|alt footer = Photos of Harrison Ford and Karen Allen |footer = [[Harrison Ford]] (left, in 2017) and [[Karen Allen]] in 2013. They portrayed archaeologist Indiana Jones and his love interest Marion Ravenwood, respectively.

|image1 = Harrison Ford by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg

|image2 = Karen Allen (8707577445).jpg

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== Production ==

=== Conception ===

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| footer = [[George Lucas]] ''(left)'' in 20111986 and [[Steven Spielberg]] in 20171999

| image1 = George Lucas cropped1986 2009(cropped).jpg

| image2 = Steven Spielberg by Gage1999 Skidmore(cropped).jpg

}}

[[George Lucas]] conceived ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' in 1973, shortly after finishing the comedy drama ''[[American Graffiti]]'' (1973).<ref name="GRAdarOverview"/><ref name="timeSlambangPage1"/> An old movie poster of a heroic character leaping from a horse to a truck reminded Lucas of the early 20th-century [[serial film]]s he enjoyed as a youth, such as ''[[Buck Rogers (serial)|Buck Rogers]]'' (1939), ''[[Zorro's Fighting Legion]]'' (1939), ''[[Spy Smasher (serial)|Spy Smasher]]'' (1942), and ''[[Don Winslow of the Navy]]'' (1942).<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="MovieFone"/><ref name="GRAdarOverview"/><ref name="timeSlambangPage1"/> He wanted to make a [[B movie]] modeled on those serials and conceived ''The Adventures of Indiana Smith'', featuring a daring archaeologist named after his [[Alaskan Malamute]] dog.<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="GRAdarOverview"/><ref name="timeSlambangPage1"/><ref name="EmpireOralHistoryPage1"/> Around the same time, Lucas was trying to adapt the [[space opera]] serial ''[[Flash Gordon (serial)|Flash Gordon]]'' (1936), but could not obtain the rights.<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="MovieFone"/><ref name="GRAdarOverview"/> He shelved the Indiana Smith project to focus on creating his own space opera, ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' (1977).<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="GRAdarOverview"/>

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=== Writing ===

{{multiple image|total_width=350300

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| alt footer=Photographs of Philip Kaufman and Lawrence Kasdan

| footer = [[Philip Kaufman]] ''(left)'' in 1991 and [[Lawrence Kasdan]] in 2015. Kaufman originated the idea of using the [[Ark of the Covenant]] as a central plot device. Kasdan wrote the finished script based on individual set pieces devised by Lucas and Spielberg.

| image1 = Philip Kaufman 03.jpg

| image2 = Lawrence Kasdan by Gage Skidmore.jpg

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===Development and pre-production===

[[File:Frank Marshall Deauville 2012(1117754729).jpg|thumb|upright|left|alt=A photograph of producer Frank Marshall|Producer [[Frank Marshall (filmmaker)|Frank Marshall]] in 20121982. As well as producing, Marshall had a minor role in the film as a Nazi pilot.]]

Lucas wanted to fund ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' himself, but lacked the money.<ref name="Cinephilia"/> [[Lucasfilm]] offered the project to several [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] studios. They rejected it, in part because of the proposed $20{{nbsp}}million budget,{{efn|The 1981 budget of $20{{nbsp}}million is equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|20000000|1981}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}.}} but also because of the deal Lucas offered.<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="EmpireOralHistoryPage2"/> He wanted the studio to provide the budget, have no creative input and allow him to retain control of the licensing rights and any sequels.<ref name="EmpireOralHistoryPage2"/> The studios considered this deal unacceptable.<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="EmpireOralHistoryPage2"/> They were also hesitant because Spielberg's had delivered a succession of films over-schedule and over-budget;<ref name="EmpireOralHistoryPage2"/> his recent effort, ''1941'', was both over-budget and a critical failure. However, Lucas refused to do the project without Spielberg.<ref name="NYTimesSerials"/><ref name="EmpireOralHistoryPage2"/><ref name="TelegraphRetro"/>

When the project was offered to [[Paramount Pictures]], president [[Michael Eisner]] compromised with Lucas, accepting his deal in exchange for exclusive rights to any sequels and severe penalties for exceeding the schedule or budget. Lucas reportedly negotiated a salary between $1{{nbsp}}million and $4{{nbsp}}million plus a share of the gross profits, though a separate report stated he received only net profits. Spielberg received up to $1.5{{nbsp}}million as director and a share of the gross profits.<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="GRAdarOverview"/>

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===Casting===

[[File:Tom Selleck atfilming PaleyFestMagnum 2014P. I., Hawaii, 1984.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A photograph of Tom Selleck|Actor [[Tom Selleck]] in 1984; initially cast as Indiana Jones, Selleck was forced to withdraw due to his contractual obligations to the television series ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]'']]

Lucas wanted a relatively unknown actor, willing to commit to a trilogy of films, to play Indiana Jones.<ref name="Cinephilia"/> Those considered for the role included [[Bill Murray]], [[Nick Nolte]], [[Steve Martin]], [[Chevy Chase]], [[Tim Matheson]], [[Nick Mancuso]], [[Peter Coyote]], [[Jack Nicholson]], [[Jeff Bridges]],<ref name="MovieFone"/> [[John Shea]],<ref name="EmpireOralHistoryPage2"/> [[Sam Elliott]],<ref name="40thAnnVariety"/> and [[Harry Hamlin]].<ref name="Hamlin"/> Casting director Mike Fenton favored Bridges but Lucas' wife and frequent collaborator [[Marcia Lucas]] preferred [[Tom Selleck]].<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="GRAdarOverview"/> Selleck was contractually obligated to filming the television series ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]'' if it were to be made into a full series. Lucas and Spielberg asked the show's network, [[CBS]], to release him 10 days early from his contract. Realizing Selleck was in demand, CBS [[greenlit]] ''Magnum P.I.'', forcing him to drop out and leaving the production with no lead actor only weeks before filming.<ref name="MovieFone"/><ref name="GRAdarOverview"/><ref name="EmpireOralHistoryPage2"/> The [[1980 actors strike]] later put the show on hiatus for three months, which would have allowed Selleck to star as Jones.<ref name="Cinephilia"/>

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=== Filming ===

[[File:Elstree Studios - geograph.org.uk - 1184042 (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|alt=A front-facing exterior photograph of Elstree Studios|On-set filming location, [[Elstree Studios (Shenley Road)|Elstree Studios]] ''(pictured 2009)'' in Hertfordshire, England.]]

[[Principal photography]] began on June&nbsp;23, 1980.<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="LucasFilmProduction"/> Filming took place on location in [[La Rochelle]] in France, [[Tunisia]] in North Africa, and Hawaii, and on sets at [[Elstree Studios (Shenley Road)|Elstree Studios]], England.<ref name="LucasFilmProduction"/><ref name="timeSlambangPage5"/> Elstree was chosen because it was well-staffed with artists and technicians who had worked on ''Star Wars''.<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="EWOpening"/><ref name="ASCMag"/> On-location shooting cost around $100,000 a day in addition to crew salaries; sets cost an additional $4{{nbsp}}million. The production could afford certain equipment only for a limited time, including a [[Panaglide]] camera stabilizer for smoother shots, and a [[Crane shot|camera crane]] for higher angles.<ref name="ASCMag"/> To maintain the tight schedule, Spielberg said he "...didn't do 30 or 40 takes; usually only four... Had I had more time and money, it would have turned out a pretentious movie."<ref name="Cinephilia"/><ref name="timeSlambangPage5"/>

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==Reception==

=== Critical response ===

[[File:Paul Freeman.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=A photograph of Paul Freeman|Actor [[Paul Freeman (actor)|Paul Freeman]] in 2016. He was singled out for praise by the otherwise critical [[Pauline Kael]] for continuing his performance after a fly appeared to crawl into his mouth.]]▼

''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' was released to general critical acclaim.<ref name="AVClubRetro"/><ref name="TelegraphRetro"/> The [[National Board of Review]] and critic [[Vincent Canby]] listed it as one of the ten best films of the year.<ref name="NYTimesNBOR"/><ref name="NYTimesTopTenCanby"/> Canby labeled the film an "instant classic" and one of the most humorous and stylish American films ever made. He described it as having refined the old serial films into their most perfect form for a modern audience.<ref name="NYTimesCanbyReview"/> [[Roger Ebert]] called it a series of "breathless and incredible" adventures inspired by and celebrating childhood stories told in comic books and movies. He concluded the film was successful in its singular goal of entertaining, creating an adventure epic in the vein of ''Star Wars'', the [[List of James Bond films|James Bond films]], and ''Superman''.<ref name="RevEbert"/> Writing for ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', [[Arthur Knight (film critic)|Arthur Knight]] said a constant stream of thrills kept the film moving at a steady pace.<ref name="ReviewTHR"/> Writing for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', Stephen Klain called the film "exhilarating escapist entertainment". He continued that the film successfully balanced action, comedy, and suspense with mystical mythologies.<ref name="VarietyReview"/> [[Michael Sragow]] described it as the "ultimate Saturday action matinee".<ref name="RollingStoneReview"/> [[Gene Siskel]] said it was as entertaining as a "commercial movie" could be, the kind of film that makes children excited about cinema.<ref name="GeneSiskelReview"/>

▲[[File:Paul Freeman.jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=A photograph of Paul Freeman|Actor [[Paul Freeman (actor)|Paul Freeman]] in 2016. He was singled out for praise by the otherwise critical [[Pauline Kael]] for continuing his performance after a fly appeared to crawl into his mouth.]]

[[Richard Schickel]] called it a return to form for Spielberg, demonstrating a competence not seen since ''Jaws''.<ref name="timeSlambangPage1"/> He described it as a film [[Walt Disney]] would have made were he still alive, featuring an "enchanting" combination of fantasy and cinematic movement.<ref name="timeSlambangPage5"/> [[Stanley Kauffmann]] said while the film's thrills did work on him, the frequency eventually irritated him. He criticized the film's reliance on nostalgia and updating older films instead of innovating new ideas.<ref name="NewRepublicReview"/> [[Pauline Kael]] was critical of the film, saying Lucas and Spielberg had thought like marketers in creating a film that would appeal to the broadest masses. Kael said though ''Raiders'' was a sophisticated update of older serials, avoiding cliches with clever editing, it was too focused on surpassing each previous action spectacle to the detriment of characterization or plot progression. She opined the failure of ''1941'' had made Spielberg too cautious, and scenes evidenced he was rushing and not achieving the best possible take as in his previous work.<ref name="PaulineKael"/><ref name="PaulineKaelNYT"/> Lucas later named a villain in his 1988 fantasy film ''[[Willow (1988 film)|Willow]]'' after Kael.<ref name="PaulineKaelNYT"/> [[Dave Kehr]] said the constant rush between setpieces felt monotonous. He also criticized the story for allowing the hero to choose to rescue the Ark over his romantic interest on multiple occasions, believing it made Indiana Jones difficult to support.<ref name="ChicagoReaderReview"/>

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[[File:Sean Connery (1983).jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A photograph of Sean Connery|Actor [[Sean Connery]] in 1983. He was introduced as Indiana Jones' father, Henry, in ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]'']]

The success of ''Raiders of the Lost Ark'' has spawned four sequelother films. ''Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom'' was in development by 1982, while the original was still in theaters.<ref name="NYTimesSequel"/> A narrative prequel to ''Raiders'', ''Temple of Doom'' follows Jones's quest to recover [[Lingam|sacred stones]] and liberate the slaves of a [[Thuggee]] cult leader. The film became one of the highest-grossing films of 1984 and broke box office records, but fared less well with critics who accused it of racism, sexism, and containing content inappropriate for child audiences.<ref name="TODCSM"/><ref name="NYTimesTempleSuccess"/><ref name="VICETOD"/><ref name="NYTimespG13"/>

A narrative sequel to ''Raiders'', ''[[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade]]'', was released in 1989. It serves as the final film of the original trilogy and follows Jones and his father, portrayed by [[Sean Connery]], on a quest to recover the [[Holy Grail]].<ref name="SequelLastCrusade"/><ref name="SequelLastCrusadeOral"/> Like its predecessor, ''The Last Crusade'' broke box office records, becoming one of the year's highest-grossing films. It was also well received by critics.<ref name="SequelLastCrusade"/><ref name="SequelLastCrusade2"/> Spielberg has said the film was, in part, an "apology" for the reception to ''Temple of Doom''.<ref name="DOGLastCrusade"/> Following the conclusion of the film series, Lucas developed a television series, ''[[The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles]]'' (1992–1993), featuring Ford and other actors as Jones at different ages.<ref name="EWYoungIndiana"/>

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Novels, comic books, and video games have also been released detailing the further adventures of Indiana Jones and his supporting cast from the films.<ref name="RaidersVideoGame"/><ref name="CBRComicBooks"/><ref name="SequelYoungIndyComic"/><ref name="EmpireNovels"/> Often set before and after the events of the films, these globe-spanning tales depict Jones' first marriage, and his adventures to discover the [[Indiana Jones and the Spear of Destiny|Spear of Destiny]], [[Indiana Jones and the Dance of the Giants|Merlin]], an Infernal Machine in the Tower of Babel, the Covenant of [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]],<ref name="ScreenRantNovelsGames"/> [[Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings|the staff of Moses]],<ref name="EuroGamerGamesNovels"/> [[Indiana Jones and the Philosopher's Stone|the Philosopher's Stone]], dinosaurs, a Unicorn horn, [[Indiana Jones and the Peril at Delphi|the Oracle of Delphi]], the secrets of the [[Sphinx]], [[Noah's Ark]], and [[Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis|the fate of Atlantis]].<ref name="IGNNovelsGames"/><ref name="ScreenRantNovelsGames"/><ref name="EmpireOnlineNovelsGames"/> Jones is sometimes aided by Sallah in his conflicts against Belloq and [[Lao Che (character)|Lao Che]] (from ''Temple of Doom''), among others.<ref name="ScreenRantNovelsGames"/><ref name="IGNNovelsGames"/>

==ReferencesFootnotes==

===Notes===

{{Notelist}}

==References==

===Citations===

{{Reflist|refs=

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[[Category:1980s action adventure films]]

[[Category:1980s supernaturalAmerican films]]

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[[Category:1980s historical action films]]

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[[Category:1980s Americansupernatural films]]▼

[[Category:American action adventure films]]

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[[Category:American supernatural films]]

[[Category:Ark of the Covenant]]

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[[Category:Films about Nazisarchaeology]]▼

[[Category:Films about poisoningsNazis]]▼

[[Category:Films about treasure huntingpoisonings]]▼

[[Category:Films shotabout intreasure Africahunting]]▼

[[Category:Films adapted into television shows]]▼

[[Category:Films setbased inon theEgyptian 1930smythology]]▼

[[Category:Films directed by Steven Spielberg]]

[[Category:Films with screenplays by George Lucas]]▼

[[Category:Films produced by Frank Marshall]]

[[Category:Films scored by John Williams]]

▲[[Category:Films set in the 1930s]]

[[Category:Films set in 1936]]

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[[Category:Films set in North AfricaEurope]]

[[Category:Films shotset in the United KingdomGreece]]▼

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[[Category:Films set in AsiaNorth Africa]]

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[[Category:Films set in South America]]

[[Category:Films set in GreeceSoutheast Asia]]

[[Category:Films set in Europethe 1930s]]

[[Category:Films set in Washington, D.C.]]

[[Category:Films shot at EMI-Elstree Studios]]

[[Category:Films shot in EuropeAfrica]]

[[Category:Films shot in California]]

[[Category:Films shot in England]]

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[[Category:Films shot in Hawaii]]

[[Category:Films shot in Hertfordshire]]

[[Category:Films shot in San Francisco]]

[[Category:Films shot in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:Films shot in Tunisia]]

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[[Category:Films that won the Best Sound Editing Academy Award]]

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[[Category:Films whose art director won the Best Art Direction Academy Award]]

[[Category:Films whose editor won the Best Film Editing Academy Award]]

▲[[Category:Films with screenplays by George Lucas]]

[[Category:Films with screenplays by Lawrence Kasdan]]▼

[[Category:Films with screenplays by Philip Kaufman]]▼

[[Category:Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation winning works]]

[[Category:IMAX films]]

▲[[Category:Films adapted into television shows]]

[[Category:Indiana Jones films]]

[[Category:Lucasfilm films]]

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[[Category:Paramount Pictures films]]

▲[[Category:Films about poisonings]]

▲[[Category:Films about treasure hunting]]

[[Category:United States National Film Registry films]]

▲[[Category:1980s English-language films]]

▲[[Category:1980s American films]]

▲[[Category:Films with screenplays by Lawrence Kasdan]]

▲[[Category:Films with screenplays by Philip Kaufman]]

▲[[Category:American historical action films]]

▲[[Category:American historical adventure films]]

[[Category:Supernatural action films]]

[[Category:AmericanUnited supernaturalStates National Film Registry films]]

[[Category:FilmsEnglish-language abouthistorical archaeologyadventure films]]