Product ReviewsIndiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (DVD, 1981)

Indiana Jones and The Raiders Of The Lost Ark

What can I say in addition to the obvious? A team effort by legendary creators George Lucas and Steven Spielberg released in 1981 and started the Indiana Jones saga. Following the release of 'Raiders', many cheesy imitations and copy cats were spawned both on screen and television. Spielberg was looking to do a James Bond type of action film that took him to locations around the world and George Lucas had the Indiana Jones character and story already to go. What they ended up with was a mega blockbuster action film which had spawned two sequels in the 80s and most recently this year; a third sequel!

On a more personal note: I saw this film when I was 12 years old when it was first released in the movie theatres back in 1981. At first, I knew nothing about it or had any interest in it and than some friends of mine had seen it and boasted about all of the neat action and scary moments. So, needless to say, I asked my folks to go see it and when I did; I was blown away! For me, it was one of those lifetime experiences that I still fondly and vividly remember well. Back in the mid 80s, I had an RCA Select-a-Vison disk player and 'Raiders' was the first film I purchased. With the release of this dvd, the viewer is treated to something that was not available to me at the time: letterbox/ 5.1 dolby digital / and digital remastering. The film looks/sounds better than ever and the fact that I hadn't watched it in quite a few years, made this a very exciting, nestalgic, and fresh experience. From the very cool opening credits of the Paramount Pictures logo turning into the first shot of the film, took me right back to 1981 when I sat in the Union Twin cinema (Stuyvesant Ave-Union, NJ-its still there!) and was glued to my seat because the film was so action packed and yet supplies lots of thrills.

NOTE: parents may want to be careful with this film because although it is rated PG, the film does contain quite a few scenes of perhaps 'semi' graphic violence. Remember, this was 1981, before the creation of the PG-13 rating. Ironic, it was the release of 'Temple Of Doom' (the 2nd installment of this series) that was responsible for the new rating. But, some violent contents in 'Raiders' includes: bloody gunshots, blood splatter, and a scene involving a man's head melting and another man's head exploding without the camera turning away. So, for children under 13 years old, this film may be a little too strong in the violence department. Than again, in these times, most of the video games that are out there are much worse. Back in 1981, there was Atari 2600!! *LOL*

Raiders Of The Lost Ark is by far the best and first of the Indiana Jones series. There is very little 'fat' to the film, for two hours you can sit in your couch with a nice big bag of micro wave oven popcorn (or, go oldschool and get a Jiffy Pop that you cook on the stove), set up your receiver for 5.1 dolby digital surround, and put that 40" LCD television to good use and watch a film that was born to entertain and thrill and give the viewer a true movie experience. I hope you will share the same sense of wonder and enthusiam I do!

dmanaroRead full review...

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

The year is 1936. A professor who studies archeology named Indiana Jones is venturing in the jungles in South America searching for a golden statue. Unfortunately, he sets off a deadly trap doing so, miraculously, he escapes. Then, Jones hears from a museum curator named Marcus Brody about a biblical artifact called The Ark of the Covenant, which can hold the key to humanly existence. Jones has to venture to vast places such as Nepal and Egypt to find this artifact. However, he will have to fight his enemy Renee Belloq and a band of Nazis in order to reach it. If you like movies, then Raiders is a movie that will not let you down. Raiders of the Lost Ark is pure entertainment,and that is what makes it the classic that it is.Read full review...

One of the best movies ever made!

I think by now it is some what common knowledge that Indiana Jones is one of the most famous and recognizable film characters from modern film making, and that this film, his debut film, is thought of by most as one of the greatest films to come from the big screen. Few films find more praise then this one, and for good reason. Actions, mystery, adventure, romance, comedy, this film has it all, as well as a very well told story and characters worth watching. At the center of it of course is Indiana Jones, but he is surrounded with many more colorful characters, some good, some bad, that just make this whole thing work.

This release of the film is a good one, and a must buy if you are a big fan, collector, or never got the original trilogy on DVD back in 2003. The extras are new, and interesting, and the film itself has never looked better. A must buy for sure!Read full review...

Okay, But Not The Best Version...

This is the 2008 re-release; a sell-through designed to promote Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The transfer seems a little dark and soft to my eye, but not disaterously so. What's missing are the Special Features - there's a new doc about Toth's melting head, newly recreated to show the process involved, and a sort-of 'history of' that's mostly just a commercial for KofCS but that does contain some interesting material. Sadly absent are both the great doc about the stunts, and the equally great 'Making Of' featurette, though I imagine they were left off because a lot of people have already seen them. For just the film itself, it's fine but not outstanding.Read full review...

A very much watch!

The original that started indiana jones. Just an amazing story with an awesome cast with a little history mixed in for fun! An entertaining journey from start to finish! A must watch!

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Classic

A real classic. A search for the lost Ark of the Covenant and the fight to keep it out of the hands of the Nazis.
Harrison Ford in the first of four Indiana Jones films.

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First, and Best of the three.

Never-stopping action, and Mr. Ford carries it well! "The Last Crusade" is wonderful, with Sean Connery, and comes close behind #1. The second wasn't particularly thrilling. much like the "Star Wars" trilogy.Read full review...

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Will be a classic like Gone With The Wind

This movie will never get old! Always entertaining every time you see it and you always watch for YOUR favorite part to happen.

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Action is the word

This movie is non stop action and a great movie to start the series off. A must see first then go down the line all our great A +++++++

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Indiana Jones

This is one of those movies that you never get tired of watching.It has more than its share of action and adventure;and with Harrison Ford as the lead role how can you go wrong.Great movie,fun to watch.Read full review...