Raiders of the Lost Ark

Steven Spielberg, 1981 (9.0*)

AFI Top 100

Anyone remembering those old movie serials will realize the roots of this adventure, one of Spielberg's most fun. The pace starts fast, then allows you to catch your breath, then it starts up again, just like the old cliffhangers used to. This tall tale involves an archeaology professor, Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, who searches the world for lost and valuable artifacts but seems to keep running into Nazis instead. Raiders has him on the quest of the "Ark of the Covenant", which housed the ten commandments and supposedly was a war weapon in ancient times. Throw in old flame Karen Allen, after a terrific drinking contest in Tibet, and Egyptian comrade John Rhys-Davies, and you have a motley crue of world-saving Nazi fighters. Classic adventure, 30’s style told in 80’s technical terms, with great special effects and mind-blowing revelations.

In keeping with the serial theme, this was followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (6*), and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (*8).