Raiders of the Lost Ark

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Raiders of the Lost Ark is a 1981 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. It is the first installment in the Indiana Jones franchise, and stars Harrison Ford as the title character, Indiana Jones. The film also features Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, and Denholm Elliott.

Plot

Set in 1936, the story follows archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones as he is hired by the United States government to locate the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers. The quest takes Jones from the jungles of South America to the deserts of Egypt, where he faces numerous challenges and adversaries, including his rival archaeologist, René Belloq.

Cast

• Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones
• Karen Allen as Marion Ravenwood
• Paul Freeman as René Belloq
• Ronald Lacey as Arnold Toht
• John Rhys-Davies as Sallah
• Denholm Elliott as Marcus Brody

Production

The film was produced by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman, with a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan. John Williams composed the iconic score, which includes the famous "Raiders March". The film was shot on location in various places, including Hawaii, Tunisia, and England.

Reception

Raiders of the Lost Ark was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $389 million worldwide. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won four, including Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and a Special Achievement Award for Sound Effects Editing. The film is considered one of the greatest films of all time and has had a lasting impact on popular culture.

Legacy

The success of Raiders of the Lost Ark led to the creation of three sequels: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). A fifth film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, is in development. The character of Indiana Jones has become an iconic figure in cinema, and the film has inspired numerous other works in the action-adventure genre.

Related Pages

• Indiana Jones (character)
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• Steven Spielberg
• George Lucas
• John Williams