“Raiders of the Lost Ark”

I have always been pleased with Dr.’s selection of movie night movies, and this year was no exception, especially since it included one of the best movies ever: “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” 

Now, I have watched this movie frequently for basically as long as I can remember. It is my dad’s all-time favorite film, so, of course, my brother and I have watched it while he quotes every line for us since day one, although we did have to close our eyes for some of the scarier parts. The Indiana Jones-themed lego video game was a staple in our household, and in elementary school, my brother insisted on dressing up as Indy himself for Halloween on several consecutive years.

Aside from my personal connection to it, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” truly is a great movie. Directed by the one and only Steven Speilberg and created by the talented George Lucas, who had already made a name for himself with two “Star Wars” films, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” was the highest-grossing film of its release year, 1981. Set in 1936, the archeology-professor-by-day, adventurer-by-night Dr. Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford, is tasked with finding the Ark of the Covenant, which is believed to have held the original Ten Commandments, before the German Nazi forces do. With the help of his former teacher’s daughter (and Jones’ love interest), Marion, played by Karen Allen, their journey leads them to Egypt in search of the Ark, and what they find is beyond anyone’s imagination.

The movie is balanced wonderfully with an incredible soundtrack by John Williams, who created the memorable score that we all know and love. Humor, intensity, passion, action and adventure all combine to make “Raiders of the Lost Ark” one of the most iconic movies in modern history. I highly recommend this movie to really anyone. It is the perfect adventure story and will always be a great movie.