Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writers:

Lawrence Kasdan (screenplay)
George Lucas (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

12 June 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure

Tagline:

Indiana Jones - the new hero from the creators of JAWS and STAR WARS.

Plot:

Archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis.

Plot Keywords:

Nazi | Ark Of The Covenant | Escape | Indiana Jones | Archeologist

Awards:

Won 4 Oscars. Another 25 wins & 21 nominations

Cast

Harrison Ford	...	Indiana Jones
Karen Allen	...	Marion Ravenwood
Paul Freeman	...	Dr. René Belloq
Ronald Lacey	...	Major Arnold Toht
John Rhys-Davies	...	Sallah
Denholm Elliott	...	Dr. Marcus Brody
Alfred Molina	...	Satipo
Wolf Kahler	...	Colonel Dietrich
Anthony Higgins	...	Gobler
Vic Tablian	...	Barranca / Monkey Man
Don Fellows	...	Col. Musgrove
William Hootkins	...	Major Eaton
Bill Reimbold	...	Bureaucrat
Fred Sorenson	...	Jock
Patrick Durkin	...	Australian Climber
Matthew Scurfield	...	2nd. Nazi
Malcolm Weaver	...	Ratty Nepalese (as Malcom Weaver)
Sonny Caldinez	...	Mean Mongolian
Anthony Chinn	...	Mohan
Pat Roach	...	Giant Sherpa / 1st Mechanic
Christopher Frederick	...	Otto
Tutte Lemkow	...	Imam
Ishaq Bux	...	Omar
Kiran Shah	...	Abu
Souad Messaoudi	...	Fayah
Terry Richards	...	Arab Swordsman
Steve Hanson	...	German Agent
Frank Marshall	...	Pilot
Martin Kreidt	...	Young Soldier
George Harris	...	Katanga
Eddie Tagoe	...	Messenger Pirate
John Rees	...	Sergeant
Tony Vogel	...	Tall Captain
Ted Grossman	...	Peruvian Porter
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vic Armstrong	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Darin Chambers	...	Nazi Supporter (uncredited)
Peter Diamond	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Harry Fielder	...	German (uncredited)
Nick Gillard	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Romo Gorrara	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Barrie Holland	...	Archivist (uncredited)
Terry Leonard	...	Driver of German Truck (uncredited)
Sergio Mioni	...	Driver of German Truck (uncredited)
Dennis Muren	...	Nazi Spy on the Airplane (uncredited)
Glenn Randall Jr.	...	Flying Wing Mechanic (uncredited)
Rocky Taylor	...	German Soldier (uncredited)
Frank Welker	...	Special Vocal Effects (voice) (uncredited)

Directed by
Steven Spielberg

Writing credits
Lawrence Kasdan		(screenplay)
George Lucas		(story) and
Philip Kaufman		(story)

Produced by
Howard G. Kazanjian	....	executive producer (as Howard Kazanjian)
George Lucas	....	executive producer
Frank Marshall	....	producer
Robert Watts	....	associate producer

Original Music by
John Williams

Cinematography by
Douglas Slocombe		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Michael Kahn
George Lucas		(uncredited)

Casting by
Jane Feinberg
Mike Fenton
Mary Selway

Production Design by
Norman Reynolds

Art Direction by
Leslie Dilley

Set Decoration by
Michael Ford

Costume Design by
Deborah Nadoolman

Makeup Department
Mike Lockey	....	hairdresser
Patricia McDermott	....	chief hairdresser
Richard Mills	....	makeup artist (as Dickie Mills)
Tom Smith	....	key makeup artist
Chris Walas	....	special makeup effects: ILM (as Christopher Walas)
Jim Gillespie	....	key makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Patricia Carr	....	assistant production manager
Mohamed Ali Cherif	....	production supervisor: Tunisia
Dorothy Marchini	....	production manager: France
Hassine Soufi	....	production manager: Tunisia
Douglas Twiddy	....	production supervisor
Robert Watts	....	production manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Roy Button	....	second assistant director
Patrick Cadell	....	second assistant director
Louis G. Friedman	....	second assistant director: Peru/Hawaii
Carlos Gil	....	first assistant director: second unit (as Carlos Gill)
Michael Hook	....	second assistant director: second unit
Vincent Joliet	....	first assistant director: France
Naceur Ktari	....	first assistant director: Tunisia
Michael D. Moore	....	second unit director (as Michael Moore)
David Tomblin	....	first assistant director
Frank Marshall	....	second unit director (uncredited)
Julian Wall	....	second second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Frank Bruton	....	property master
Roy Carnon	....	sketch artist
Sharon Cartwright	....	art department assistant
Kenneth Clarke	....	supervising plasterer (as Kenneth Clark)
Ron Cobb	....	production artist
Ken Court	....	assistant art director
George Djurkovic	....	draftsman
John Fenner	....	assistant art director
Andrew Garnet-Lawson	....	scenic artist
George Gunning	....	assistant construction manager
Peter Hancock	....	property master: Tunisia
Fred Hole	....	assistant art director
Michael Lamont	....	assistant art director
Michael Lloyd	....	production artist
David Lusby	....	chief buyer
Ralph McQuarrie	....	illustrator: ILM
Dave Middleton	....	construction storeman
David J. Negron	....	sketch artist (as David Negron)
Bert Rodwell	....	head plasterer
Eric Shirtcliffe	....	master painter
Keith Short	....	modeller
Hassen Soufi	....	assistant art director: Tunisia
Charles Torbett	....	property supervisor
Ed Verreaux	....	production illustrator
Bob Walker	....	decor and lettering artist
Bill Welch	....	construction manager
Andy Aitken	....	plasterer (uncredited)
Michael Finlay	....	painter (uncredited)
Taieb Jallouli	....	property buyer: Tunisia (uncredited)
Paul James	....	plasterer stand-by (uncredited)
Dave Midson	....	dressing prop (uncredited)
Brian Muir	....	sculptor (uncredited)
Kent State	....	art department (uncredited)
Dave Stevens	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)
William Stout	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Richard L. Anderson	....	supervising sound effects editor
Ben Burtt	....	sound designer
Roy Charman	....	production sound
John Dunn	....	foley editor
Stephen Hunter Flick	....	sound effects editor (as Steve H. Flick)
Peter Grives	....	apprentice sound editor
Howie Hammerman	....	sound recording technician
Gregg Landaker	....	sound re-recordist
Mark A. Mangini	....	sound effects editor (as Mark Mangini)
Steve Maslow	....	sound re-recordist
Andrew Patterson	....	dialogue editor (as Andy Patterson)
George Rice	....	production sound maintenance
John Salter	....	sound boom operator
Curt Schulkey	....	supervising dialogue editor
Gary Summers	....	sound effects recordist
Bill Varney	....	sound re-recordist
Eric Whitfield	....	assistant dialogue editor
Alan Howarth	....	special sound effects (uncredited)
John Roesch	....	foley artist (uncredited)
Lionel Strutt	....	adr mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Chris Condon	....	special effects electrician
Roy Coombes	....	special effects carpenter
Peter Dawson	....	senior effects technician
Yves De Bono	....	special effects welder
Rodney Fuller	....	effects technician
Ken Gittens	....	effects assistant
Terry Glass	....	effects engineering
Ray Hanson	....	effects assistant
Trevor Neighbour	....	effects technician
Terry Schubert	....	effects technician
Bill Warrington	....	special effects equipment supervisor
Kit West	....	mechanical effects supervisor
Michael Dawson	....	special effects assistant (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Peter Amundson	....	assistant effects editor: ILM
Charles Bailey	....	model maker: ILM (as Charlie Bailey)
Craig Barron	....	matte photography assistant: ILM
William Beck	....	stage technician: ILM
David Berry	....	optical printer operator: ILM
Patricia Blau	....	production coordinator: ILM
Mike Bolles	....	design engineer: ILM
Marty Brenneis	....	electronics engineer: ILM
Kris Brown	....	computer engineering: ILM
Conrad Buff IV	....	visual effects editorial supervisor: ILM (as Conrad Buff)
Laura Buff	....	production accountant: ILM (as Laura Kaysen)
Scott Caple	....	animator: ILM
Melissa Cargill	....	electronics technician: ILM
Wade Childress	....	special projects: ILM
Terry Chostner	....	still photographer: ILM
Sam Comstock	....	animation supervisor: ILM (as Samuel Comstock)
Dick Dova	....	stage technician: ILM
Don Dow	....	camera operator: ILM
Loring Doyle	....	animator: ILM
Richard Edlund	....	visual effects supervisor
Judy Elkins	....	animator: ILM
John Ellis	....	optical printer operator: ILM
Chrissie England	....	administration assistant: ILM
Bob Finley III	....	stage technician: ILM (as Bobby Finley III)
Pat Fitzsimmons	....	stage technician: ILM (as Patrick Fitzsimmons)
Warren Franklin	....	optical line-up: ILM
Dietrich Friesen	....	animation supervisor: ILM (as Deitrich Friesen)
Michael Fulmer	....	model maker: ILM (as Mike Fulmer)
Steve Gawley	....	model maker: ILM
Tim Geideman	....	laboratory technician: ILM
Miki Herman	....	production associate: ILM
Edward Hirsh	....	stage technician: ILM
Paul Huston	....	model maker: ILM
Jerry Jeffress	....	electronic systems designer: ILM
Joe Johnston	....	art director: visual effects, ILM
Ed Jones	....	laboratory technician: ILM
David Kakita	....	production accountant: ILM
Sylvia Keulen	....	animator: ILM
Kim Knowlton	....	animator: ILM
Neil Krepela	....	matte photography: ILM
Shirley Lee	....	production accountant: ILM
Gary Leo	....	electronics engineer: ILM
Mike MacKenzie	....	electronics engineer: ILM
Alan Maley	....	matte painting supervisor: ILM
Scott Marshall	....	animator: ILM
Cristi McCarthy	....	electronics technician: ILM
Roberto McGrath	....	still lab technician: ILM
John McLeod	....	stage technician: ILM (as John McCleod)
Ted Moehnke	....	supervising stage technician: ILM (as T.E. Moehnke)
Thaine Morris	....	pyrotechnics: ILM
Duncan Myers	....	laboratory technician: ILM
Bill Neil	....	camera operator: ILM
Bruce Nicholson	....	optical photography supervisor: ILM
Kerry Nordquist	....	still lab technician: ILM
Ease Owyeung	....	model maker: ILM
Clint Palmer	....	assistant cameraman: ILM
Udo Pampel	....	machinist: ILM
Michael Pangrazio	....	matte artist: ILM
Lorne Peterson	....	modelshop foreman: ILM
Gary Platek	....	cloud effects: ILM
Bruce Richardson	....	model maker: ILM
Nilo Rodis-Jamero	....	assistant art director: ILM
Thomas Rosseter	....	optical line-up: ILM (as Tom Rosseter)
Wesley Seeds	....	model maker: ILM
Kenneth Smith	....	optical printer operator: ILM
Thomas G. Smith	....	production supervisor: ILM (as Thomas Smith)
Howard Stein	....	assistant effects editor: ILM
Peter Stolz	....	stage technician: ILM
Marc Thorpe	....	model maker: ILM
John T. Van Vliet	....	animator: ILM (as John Van Vliet)
Mark Vargo	....	optical line-up: ILM
Jim Veilleux	....	effects cameraman: ILM
Laurie Vermont	....	production coordinator: ILM
Garry Waller	....	animator: ILM
Gene Whiteman	....	equipment engineering supervisor: ILM
Bess Wiley	....	electronics technician: ILM (as Bessie Wiley)
Samuel Zolltheis	....	model maker: ILM (as Sam Zolltheis)
Chris Crowell	....	digital compositor (restored version) (uncredited)
Beth D'Amato	....	digital paint and roto lead (restored version) (uncredited)

Stunts
Vic Armstrong	....	stunts
Peter Brace	....	stunts
Gerry Crampton	....	stunts
Peter Diamond	....	stunt arranger
Romo Gorrara	....	stunts (as Romo Garrara)
Martin Grace	....	stunts
Reg Harding	....	stunts
Billy Horrigan	....	stunts
Wendy Leech	....	stunts (as Wendy Leach)
Terry Leonard	....	stunts
Sergio Mioni	....	stunts (as Sergio Mione)
Glenn Randall Jr.	....	stunt coordinator (as Glenn Randall)
Rocky Taylor	....	stunts
Chuck Waters	....	stunts
Bill Weston	....	stunts
Paul Weston	....	stunts
Vic Armstrong	....	stunt double: Mr. Ford/Indiana Jones double #1 (uncredited)
Peter Diamond	....	stunts (uncredited)
Martin Grace	....	stunt double: Indiana Jones #3 (uncredited)
Richard Graydon	....	stunts (uncredited)
Wendy Leech	....	stunt double: Karen Allen (uncredited)
Terry Leonard	....	stunt double: Indiana Jones #2 (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Paul Beeson	....	additional photography
Alan Brady	....	gaffer: Peru/Hawaii
Wally Byatt	....	operating cameraman: second unit
Albert Clark	....	still photographer
Jerry Dunkley	....	operating cameraman: second unit (as Gerry Dunkley)
Martin Evans	....	gaffer
Jim Kane	....	dolly grip: second unit
Red Lawrence	....	head rigger
Colin Manning	....	dolly grip
Eamonn O'Keeffe	....	second assistant cameraman: second unit
Danny Shelmerdine	....	second assistant cameraman
Chris Tanner	....	assistant cameraman: second unit
Robin Vidgeon	....	assistant cameraman
Chic Waterson	....	operating cameraman
David Worley	....	operating cameraman: second unit
Wick Finch	....	electrician (uncredited)
Ronnie Herschman	....	electrician (uncredited)
Bruce Hill	....	ultra high speed photography (uncredited)
Paul Kenward	....	clapper loader (uncredited)
Ray Meehan	....	best boy (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Ian Hickinbotham	....	wardrobe assistant
Sue Wain	....	wardrobe assistant
Rita Wakely	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Duwayne Dunham	....	assistant film editor: ILM
Bruce Green	....	assistant film editor
Bob McMillian	....	color timer (as Robert McMillian)
Brian Ralph	....	negative cutter
Phil Sanderson	....	assistant film editor
Colin Wilson	....	assistant film editor
Julie Kahn Zunder	....	apprentice film editor

Music Department
The London Symphony Orchestra	....	music performed by
Herbert W. Spencer	....	orchestrator
Eric Tomlinson	....	music recordist
Kenneth Wannberg	....	supervising music editor
Tommy Johnson	....	musician: tuba (uncredited)
Lionel Newman	....	music supervisor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Harry Ueshiro	....	transportation captain: Peru/Hawaii
John Ott	....	camera car driver (uncredited)
Terry Pritchard	....	driver: cast (uncredited)

Other crew
Simon Atherton	....	armorer
Abdelkrim Baccar	....	location manager: Tunisia
Jane Bay	....	assistant: Mr. Lucas
Tarak Ben Ammar	....	production coordinator: Tunisia
Arthur Carroll	....	production accountant
Gilly Case	....	production assistant (as Gill Case)
Martin Casella	....	assistant: Mr. Spielberg (as Marty Casella)
Habib Chaari	....	loaction manager: Tunisia
Junior Charles	....	production assistant: France
Bryan Coates	....	location manager
Michael Culling	....	animal handler
Jack Dearlove	....	stand-in: Mr. Ford
Jed Edge	....	animal handler
Steve Edge	....	animal handler
Deborah Fine	....	researcher
Barbara Harley	....	assistant: Mr. Marshall
Felicity Hodder	....	doctor (as Dr. Felicity Hodder)
Maggie Jones	....	continuity: second unit
Laura Kenmore	....	assistant: Mr. Kazanjian
Kathleen Kennedy	....	associate to Mr. Spielberg
Michael Larkins	....	assistant accountant
Pamela Mann	....	continuity
Hassam Moossun	....	doctor: second unit (as Dr. Hassam Moossun)
Dan Nichols	....	production coordinator: Peru/Hawaii
Daniel Parker	....	production assistant
Stefano Priori	....	location accountant
Stella Quef	....	accountant: France
Bonne Radford	....	accountant: Peru/Hawaii
Derek Robbins	....	unit publicist
Patty Rumph	....	assistant: Mr. Marshall
Maile Semitokol	....	location manager: Peru/Hawaii
Ridha Turki	....	accountant: Tunisia (as Ridna Turki)
Jim Steranko	....	original illustrations (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Paramount Pictures (presents)
• Lucasfilm

Distributors

• Paramount Pictures (1981) (USA) (theatrical)
• Paramount Home Video (1982) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Paramount Home Video (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Paramount Home Video (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• Cinema International Corp. (1981) (UK) (theatrical)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1981) (France) (theatrical)
• Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1981) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Cinéma International Corporation (CIC) (1981) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Eye Film Instituut (2011) (Netherlands) (theatrical) (digitally restored version)
• Greater Union Organisation (GUO) (1981) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Paramount Pictures Entertainment (1981) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Svenska Filminstitutet (SFI) (1981) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1986) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Argentina Video Home (198?) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Argentina Video Home (2004) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (2004) (Argentina) (VHS) (re-edited)
• CIC Vídeo (????) (Brazil) (VHS)
• CIC-Taft Home Video (????) (Australia) (VHS)
• Paramount Filmes do Brasil (2003) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (Spain) (2003) (Spain) (DVD)
• Paramount Home Entertainment (2003) (UK) (DVD) (Trilogy Box Set)
• Paramount Home Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Phillips (1996) (Germany) (video) (laserdisc)
• Pioneer (1996) (UK) (video) (laserdisc)
• Prem'er Video Fil'm (????) (Russia) (VHS)
• TV Asahi (2008) (Japan) (TV) (bilingual)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (Argentina) (all media) (re-release)

Special Effects

• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) (special visual effects produced at)

Other Companies

• Bruce Hill Productions  ultra high speed camera
• MGM Optical  additional optical effects
• Modern Film Effects  additional optical effects
• MGM Title Department  titles (as MGM Titles)
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  appreciation for their co-operation
• CBS Records  original soundtrack album on
• Audiolink Radio Communications  walkie talkies (uncredited)
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes and dollies (uncredited)
• Concord Records  soundtrack (2008)
• Dolby Laboratories  sound post-production (uncredited)
• Elstree Film & Television Studios  movie studio
• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment (uncredited)
• Lowry Digital Images  digital restoration (2003 re-release)
• Mayflower Recording  adr recording (uncredited)
• Post Logic Studios  digital film mastering (uncredited)

Also Known As:

"Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark" - International (English title) (DVD title), South Africa (English title) (DVD box title), USA (reissue title)

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German | Hebrew | Spanish | Arabic | Nepali

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | Dolby (35 mm prints)

Certification:

USA:PG (edited for re-rating) (certificate #26345) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Italy:T | Iceland:12 | Finland:K-11 (DVD rating) | South Korea:12 | Brazil:Livre | Peru:14 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M (DVD rating) | Australia:PG | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Israel:PG | Netherlands:12 (DVD rating) | Norway:15 (re-rating) | Norway:16 (original rating) | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:15 (cut) | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (re-rating) (2004) | UK:PG (video rating) (1987) | West Germany:16 | Canada:G (Quebec) (re-rating) (2003) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Early concept art for the character who ultimately became Toht depicted him as a uniformed Nazi officer with a mechanical arm that doubled as a machine gun and a radio antenna built into his head.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Indy is climbing on the pontoon of the sea plane, his clothes appear completely dry, though he was just in the water and in the scene before the clothes appeared completely wet.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Satipo:[picking up poison dart] The Hovitos are near. The poison is still fresh, three days. They're following us.
Barranca:If they knew we were here, they would've killed us already.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Just Shoot Me!: It's Raining Babies (#7.8)" (2003)

Soundtrack:

A British Tar

When you're hungry, everyone believes you

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 someone 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 almost 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 maybe 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.