Raiders of The Lost Ark

 Raiders of The Lost Ark

What do you do on a Sunday night with your sons?  Maybe you have dinner, play games, or read a book.  We decided to watch a classic movie and make a memory.

Don't worry, I know what you are thinking: "Tyler, have you never seen Raiders of The Lost Ark before today?"   The answer is: of course!  This is one of my favorite movies of all time.  It is timeless and fun, but it wasn't until today that I realized the real reason why it is a brilliant film.

I have mentioned before about my experience watching Casablanca.  If you forgot, don't worry, click here.  Casablanca is the most "classic" film I have yet to see.  It have lines that you remember, characters you love, and humor sprinkled throughout tense, dramatic scenes.  This is exactly what draws me in to the adventure when I watch any Indiana Jones film, but especially Raiders of the Lost Ark.  While I was watching Raiders today I realized how brilliantly this 1981 film was made in the style of 1940s adventure films.  What? You don't believe me? Please let me show some examples:

The entrance of the hero:

We don't even see Dr. Jones' face until he rips a pistol out of a traitor's hand with his whip, and at that point we get the hero shot:

 

Here is a video and blog entry that goes into how this shot was set up.  It really helps you to appreciate the vision that good directors have.  Video     Blog

The use of shadows and silhouettes:  This helps to keep characters mysterious and to avoid showing violence.  this style is used in Dick Tracy, a film based in a similar era.

There is simple, stylized, and obviously-staged fighting with gags.

 

These are just a few of the elements that make Raiders of the Lost Ark an absolute classic film.  Not only is it a classic for modern times, but it hearkens back and pays homage to the giants on whose backs it stands.

I love this movie for being fun and exciting while displaying elements of old serials that I am only now starting to notice.  Raiders warrants a watch if you are unfamiliar with it and it warrants another watched if you have seen it before, just to appreciate the brilliance of Steven Spielberg's direction.

I categorize this film as:
 

Classic

Fun

Adventurous

Worth a deeper look

5/5 Stanley Cups - only a true dynasty can measure up to this film!

Format: DVD (a birthday present from the Lopez family. One of the best gifts I've ever received!)

Viewing Period: One shot all the way through while Miles played with toys and Gavin slept through half.  Gavin woke up in time for the truck pursuit sequence.  He thought it was hilarious when Indy knocks the Nazis off the side of the truck.

Inspired me to: Watch the rest of the Indiana Jones Trilogy. (and Crystal Skull to complete the set.)