Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman

Synopsis:
Adventurer archaeologist Indiana Jones is in a race against time to uncover the Ark of the Covenant before his rival.

Impressions:
Indiana Jones is one of the two primary pillars of my childhood along with Star Wars. I had the hat and bullwhip. I even cut my chin swinging around with said bullwhip and couldn't be more thrilled because I knew I'd have a scar like Harrison Ford. (Yes, really.) Steven Spielberg and George Lucas do a great job of bringing the serials they grew up with to the modern era, a grand globetrotting adventure with some of the most well-loved set pieces in all cinema. The trap-laden South American temple, the bar fight in Nepal, the Well of Souls, the truck chase, and then the finale. Good times. It almost goes without saying that to core trio is strong, Harrison Ford as the iconic Indy, Karen Allen as the feisty Marion and Paul Freeman as the slimy Belloq, but I also want to give nods to Ronald Lacey as the sadistic Toht and John Rhys-Davies as Sallah. And let's not forget the score by John Williams. The main theme is one of the most memorable pieces of film music out there. I can't recommend it enough. This is one of the great cinema treasures and should be treated as such.

Rating:
Treasure It