This is another movie that I actually remember the first time I saw it. Raiders of the Lost Ark came out in 1981 when Lucas and Spielberg could do no wrong, and we all awaited the premier with great anticipation. I can't recall which theater we went to, but I do remember the whole gang was there, including G, who was babysitting her 8-year-old nephew. At this point in time Spielberg had not created the need for a PG-13 rating, so we all assumed Indy would be family friendly. The genius of this film is it hits the ground running, and barely lets up until the final credits, but when the decomposing body of the archeologist Forrestal slides into the screen impaled on numerous spikes, and we hear Ben Burtt's brilliant, if icky sound effects G immediately freaked and asked 'What was this movie rated?!' As far as I know the movie did not have any lasting effect on her young charge, and we were all, G included, quickly sucked in to the genius that was Raiders. Some will claim that Last Crusade is the best of the films, and I won't quibble as I love it nearly as much, but since I consider both Raiders and Last Crusade to be equal as film, the first Indiana Jones adventure wins as my favorite action film on the power of having been first. It was a truly unique cinematic experience for my generation, and will always have a spot in my heart, and my DVD collection.
2 comments:
"Truck? What truck?" I couldn't agree more, best action film ever, non stop. I still marvel at the uniqueness of this movie. This would also be my most quoted film.
Fabulous choice. Harrison owned this era of film :-)
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