Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - Movie Review

[@CodyLeachYT]

Brought to you by Blue Nile. Get $50 off your purchase of $500 or more with code CODYLEACH at www.bluenile.com/atransfer.jsp?sourceid=163454

[@demitriepantovic2541]

Been following you for about a year and a half now Cody and you’ve become one of my favorite reviewers. Even if I disagree with your thoughts on a movie you at least thoroughly explain why you like or dislike it. Love that your channel is becoming more and more successful every day!

[@CodyLeachYT]

Thank you!

[@bigkmoviesandgames]

Raiders is such a classic and I love it.

[@Nicholasmcmath-cr1xl]

Agree it is

[@colten53]

I was born after the original trilogy came out, so I was so happy I got to see Raiders on the big screen last year

[@bigkmoviesandgames]

@@colten53 that is so awesome. Unfortunately I was born after Last Crusade as well but if I ever get the chance to see any of the original Three on the big-screen I'm going to do it.

[@cwell510]

My dad took me to see Raiders of the Lost Ark when I was 7 years old in 1981; 42 years later, it remains my favorite adventure film of all time! After watching this film in theaters 3 times, I wanted to be just like Indiana Jones, an archeologist, adventurer, all around cool guy!

[@icemav5740]

Back in my high school days of the late 2000s, I had a part-time job as a assistant projectionist at my local small-town theatre. I had known the owner of the theatre since I was a small child so he respected me a lot and always took my ideas and proposals into consideration with regards to what we would show in the theatre. And during quieter movie seasons, we’d constantly show old classics I had grown up on. So for more than half of each year, I’d play a mix of Star Wars, Superman, Batman, Mad Max, Terminator, Halloween, Rocky, Gremlins and of course Indiana Jones. Everyone at school and in town knew I was the one to ask when they wanted to watch a particular movie in the theatre, and for some reason my town LOVED Indiana Jones. I would play an Indy movie at least once a week to a full theatre every time. So my best memories of this movie (along with Temple of Doom and Last Crusade) are watching it from a little projection room with all of my friends and everyone I know hooting and hollering and cheering in front of me. These movies are just so easy to love

[@davevannatta985]

Raiders of the Lost Ark is definitely what I would call a perfect film.

[@lizzymayethebordercollie]

Such a classic movie in the history of cinema. Raiders should be held as an example of what movies should be.

[@jamesbennett2254]

This for me Cody is the master of puppets of films, totally flawless

[@gdodson69]

This is one of the few films that I consider perfect. I was 9 years old when it came out and I don't know how many times I convinced my parents to take me to see it, or drop me and my friends off at the theater to see it. Love, love, love this film. Back in 2020 when theaters started opening back up and had were giving people to rent out a theater and choose different movies to show, so got a bunch of friends together and rented out the theater to watch Raiders.

[@merksmovies25]

I disagree. I watched it for the first time a few days ago, its very hokey with a bad cartoonish villain. The stunts and sets are awesome, but the story is over simplified. I watched all four, crystal skull is a movie everyone complains about but other than the cgi, the story is exactly that of a typical indiana jones movie. Its simple, with cool sets, and a bit hokey and campy

[@iwrin]

Whaaaatt!? I've never known anyone who's actually won something from those damn McDonald's cups back in the day, much less a Disney vacation! That's a pretty wild and interesting story!!

[@ambergerber5162]

Yeah no kidding! All I ever got from McDonald's is I think I got a free big mac and fries! 😂😂

[@JamesB-mg9pk]

Vic Armstrong was Harrisons stunt double for these films. Even filled in for some scenes in Temple of doom. Vic is a legend and his work is unforgettable. Great review and Raiders is in the top ten of the greatest movies ever or will be.

[@ndsmith7119]

The bar scene when he reunites with Marion is still the best set up, staged if not the most iconic set piece. Love the shadow work, the bait and switch punch, the use of fire and chasing the hot MacGuffin t hat gives our henchman villain that hand scare foreshadowing. Also, is it just me who wants to know more about the golden head from the opening? Always wondered what it might do. And why they didn't use it for another Indy film to revisit its journey after the opening to then maybe be something the buyers/sellers didn't expect and pulls Indi back in to get it back as a throwback forward approach. Probably just me.

[@chrisvetor]

My grandfather introduced me to the original trilogy when I was in kindergarten, which was in 1991, he even gave me a replica Indy hat that he got from the same thing you attended I believe around the same time you got introduced to Indians jones in 1996. I still have it I hope with my “man cave” things.

[@SirHatchporch]

Great review, Cody! This is one of my favorites and I agree that it's more or less perfect. One tiny correction: there wasn't any CGI in the film. Stuff like the ghost effects at the end were done with practical effects and added via compositing. It would be a few years until CGI as we now know it would be used to produce those kinds of effects.

[@scottvincent184]

Alfred Molina was fantastic in his small role!

[@sip8454]

Been watching this movie my whole life (I'm 40 next year) and only a couple of years ago realised it was him😂

[@geniustruitt]

Favorite movie of all time, favorite character of all time and favorite franchise of all time! Ever since I was about 5 or 6 years old!

[@azure_azure]

One of the few movies I consider perfect. It is crazy how about every 10 minutes there is an iconic moment that has made it's way deep into pop culture.

[@secularbelt]

Except that things would have basically worked out the same way if he were not in the movie.

[@JaceDeanLove]

​@@secularbeltwhat? Hello former secular person

[@JenMistress]

Raiders of the Lost Ark, and really all of the original Indiana Jones Trilogy, I find them as ones to just put on for a fun time. I could go into more, but I'll save that for the next review. Enjoying these videos thus far. Thank you, Cody.

[@ThePragmaticScorpio]

Indy remains my favorite movie character till this day. Cause of him I had a stage where I would dig any chance I got in hopes I came across some ancient treasure or artifact. Never had any luck, unfortunately. Glad you mentioned John Williams. The score in "the map room" scene still gives me chills. 10:48 Fun fact about this scene - Originally it was going to be far more elaborate fight scene. Then Harrison Ford and much of the crew became sick with dysentery. So he suggested to Spielberg that he just shoot the guy instead of going through the action sequence. And the rest is history...

[@el_killorcure]

Never understood why Belloc, if he takes the ark seriously, would dare to touch, nevermind open, the ark. I mean, he was just begging to be drop kicked straight to Hell...

[@michaelschwartz8730]

One of my favorite movies by a mile. Only complaint I have is the dip in pacing before the sub shows up 🤷‍♂

[@andrebunting7603]

The whole original trilogy is cinema gold. Easily the greatest trilogies ever created. I would binge watch them constantly as a kid. These and the Goonies were childhood staples. I was really let down by Crystal Skull and really don't want to see the new one. I recently bought the series on 4k and watched them all one weekend (minus Crystal Skull ) and was instantly transformed into childhood all over again. Had my surround sound blaring, lights off, big bowl of popcorn and a giant smile on my face all over again. My kids just staring at me lol

[@harryparsons2750]

Back to the Future has it beat in my opinion

[@colinbaldwin313]

Apparently, John Rhys-Davies is the go-to guy for questionable comic-relief sidekicks. Twenty years after the 6'1" White Welshman portrayed Sallah, he supplied an abundance of shortness- and pratfall-related humor in The Lord of the Rings. It's almost hard to believe that he was able to reprise his role as Sallah in 2023.

[@blakeholland7640]

I was a former Disney cast member and worked for years at the Great Movie Ride. This ride is across the road from the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular. I loved this live show and was even involved as an audience member in the show one time (bucket list item). This show made me love the movies more as it was a constant reminder of the Indiana Jones adventures.

[@Silly81]

One of the few action-adventure films to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture

[@colinbaldwin313]

It's quite possibly the silliest film ever to get that nomination.

[@AliFrankTheTank]

Only Cody could pull off the reverse movie ranking 🔥🔥🔥 this the only one of these i seen all the way though 😅

[@littleaussierippa]

Without a doubt one of the greatest films of all time.

[@biguy617]

I love this movie. I met Karen Allen at comic con and got her autograph.

[@romangarcia608]

saw this in the theaters with my dad, i was 7 - talk about a transformative movie experience; so many scenes stayed with me including the gruesome ending 👀 movie-making at its finest, every frame of that movie is perfect 🎥

[@JSPokemonYT]

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) is one of my favorite Steven Spielberg Movies of All Time!

[@karanvirkooner1993]

Raiders of The Lost Ark is a masterpiece

[@AliFrankTheTank]

facts + tax

[@brevonsflicksgames7450]

My grandfather made me a Indiana Jones fan. Hold on to those cherished memories Cody

[@matthewganong1730]

To build on your point about Indy using his brains over his muscle: I watched this with my son not too long ago, and one thing that stood out to me was the fight with the big German mechanic during the plane scene. Indy knows almost immediately that there’s no way he’s going to beat this guy in a fair fight. So our “hero” character fights as dirty as he possibly can to gain any kind of advantage. He fakes the guy out, bites him, and even throws dirt in his eyes. In the end it’s really the German’s own arrogance that defeats him because he stops paying attention to the plane and ends up mincemeat.

[@hanhopper8399]

Hi Cody, brilliant review as always! Your point on the benefits of practical over visual effects was very accurate, and something that Hollywood studios these days should learn from

[@FlettsMoviesAndPopCulture13]

Awesome Review Cody and Raiders Of The Lost Ark is definitely a classic

[@MrBoyYankee]

Cody your story about your uncle is very similar to both my uncles Jerome & Johnny who Introduced me to this franchise. as well as Martial arts, Sci-Fi Fantasy & Horror movies amongst other things. I felt touched by your tribute. This is my 5th all-time favorite movie franchise.

[@AliFrankTheTank]

fave of franchise ?

[@MrBoyYankee]

@AliFrankTheTank Last Crusade, it's personal

[@DeaderEyeland_1983]

Temple of Doom will always be my fav cuzza Short Round lol, but Raiders is undeniably great. I honestly 1000% prefer Indy to Star Wars ngl ... P.S. LoTR schools them all tho, imo. 😎

[@Dr0p0fahat]

Digital? DIGITAL? Did you say Raiders has some digital effects? They're not in-camera practical effects, but they're hand-drawn and not computer generated!! Great review, Cody, looking forward to the rest.

[@taylorpack7705]

I love raiders it’s just the absolute perfect adventure movie. Though it’s not my favorite I can watch it over and over again.

[@IdiocyShow]

This is IMO the greatest action-adventure film ever made! It is a masterpiece of action filmmaking

[@spice_krispies]

This one has the best opening action sequence obviously, but Last Crusade does everything better. Sorry, but its the better film overall. It has a way better third act.

[@IdiocyShow]

@@spice_krispies I’ll agree Crusade has the better finale, but I don’t think it does everything better because this movie did it first. As much as I love Crusade, it’s become my 3rd favorite of the franchise. After both this movie & Temple. The addition to Connery is phenomenal & he really makes the movie for me more than anything else where this movie didn’t need him & Crusade did or it would’ve been a straight repeat of Raiders

[@IdiocyShow]

@@spice_krispies also, why’re you saying sorry like your opinion is a fact??

[@JoelCraike]

My favourite movie ever made

[@HDmIsfit13]

Uncle Roy for the win!

[@Camen_Sandie]

Wow that McDonald's win is amazingly!!! I remember those monopoly contest, they were so competitive, did you see that fbi crime documentary about the contest, it was pretty good.

[@whoisthisman4269]

Watched it recently. I thought it was really good, but I didn’t love it as much as most people. I’m more partial to things like the show Outer Banks. It’s still a classic but not an all time favorite of mine.

[@jamestoner3900]

Belloq to me will always be Indiana Jones's Arch-Nemesis; both are rival arceloigoists and both are foils of each other, despite Mola Ram being considered to be the most iconic Villain from Indiana Jones, i will always defend Belloq and my reasons why he is Indy's Nemesis. I love the 3 OG Indiana Jones films, Sacred Classics, id love to see a Batman-Indiana Jones Crossover event within DC Comics, i bet Batman would add Indy's Fedora Hat, Whip to his Trophies in the Batcave, it would also be cool if Batman aquired The Gold Fertility Idol, One of the Stones from Temple of Doom, The Holy Grail Cup and Crystal Skull from all 4 Indiana Jones films and add them to his Batcave Trophies

[@eshankamarsu9555]

Great review brother. Been following you for about 5 or 6 months and I love your takes! Don't always agree with em but hey that's the fun of being a film fan! Keep up the solid content my man

[@CodyLeachYT]

Thanks man

[@Demonico-j7x]

I’ll always prefer ROTLA overall. The Last Crusade was good, but I found it to be too safe after the backlash of TOD. The best thing about Crusade was the father/son dynamic between Ford and Connery, but I think the action set pieces were a bit tame compare to the previous instalments. Raiders has got it all though 👍

[@johnpoffenbarger5103]

My third favorite movie of all-time. I love it SO much. Just saw it again recently on the big screen through Fathom Events. It really holds up. I turned to my dad and said, "They just don't make 'em like they used to". Lightning in a bottle.

[@thefilmeffect6089]

Indiana Jones is an adventure man archetype like in the action serials that inspired this movie. The lack of an arc works for that reason.

[@erikgabrielsen]

A truly timeless adventure film. Nothing tops it, and nothing ever will. So excited for the franchise reviews!

[@spice_krispies]

As great as this film is, Last Crusade took the formula and perfected it. More laughs, more action, better paced, and lastly has heart and emotional stakes and fleshes out the hero.

[@funnyman2392]

Great review cody. Your videos always bring me joy and make me happy. so I have to thank you for all you do man keep it up. You're one of the best KZbinrs

[@jonwilson2111]

I have a similar story...my uncle Mike took me and my sister to Disneyland here in socal....wasn't my first trip there but it was the most fun memory I have there...fast forward to adult hood and I've worked at Disneyland now for 16 years so that memory has become a career.... P.s. raiders is my favorite film of all time

[@NightmareKing305]

I would’ve loved to have gone to Disney world in the 90s, so many rides I wish they have kept

[@ryanmart4525]

Growing up this series never was popular in my house. Watching them now I can see why there so loved, the first 2 I really like, crazy there about to release another one

[@tbranson9543]

I recently got to watch Raiders at a drive-in! It was amazing

[@michaelschwartz8730]

@cody Leach It's a bit understated, especially for an 80's movie, but I think Indy's character arc is supposed to be from a stone-cold nonbeliever to someone who suddenly believes the myths are real when the nazis open the ark. Could have been explained better imo

[@CodyLeachYT]

I hear ya but I think that exact arc is done better in Temple of Doom.

[@jordansweet8054]

​@@CodyLeachYTI rewatched all 4 movies in the last few weeks and while Raiders is the superior film,I agree Temple of Doom sets up that arch very well if you watch in chronological order.

[@dankautzmann1315]

Great video. This is my all time favorite movie

[@mikebunting2805]

Hell yeah. Welcome bk....

[@robcharette1915]

Indy is probably the greatest and most iconic action character ever . I Love Raiders but I love Temple of Doom even more.

[@peterfrost377]

As much as I love this film I must say: Jackie Chan took all the action sequences to the next level in Armor of god 1&2.

[@RobertParks-h7r]

Great pics I love Rumble in the Bronx,Police Story,and First Strike

[@FrankO-ek1ec]

Your uncle is the man

[@kill3rs529]

Temple of doom was my favrouite as a kid as well but rewatching the franchise raiders is by far the best.

[@gnc623]

One thing about the Indiana Jones films where I wish they would have done a little bit better job is with their villains. Aside from Mola Ram in Temple of Doom, every other villain is either bland or not the lead antagonist. The only villains I thought were even remotely interesting were Mola Ram and Arnold Toht from this one.

[@keychainere]

There’s zero digital effects. That’s just composited physical images and matte paintings

[@deedsy404]

Damn where did you get that shirt of Art The Clown with a USA hat? I need it lol.

[@YaredYahu1212]

Yeahhhh! This is my favorite of the Indiana Jones movie franchise and I thought this movie was the best of the bunch.

[@werecam56]

I LOVE that shirt where'd you get it?

[@brevonsflicksgames7450]

The quintessential adventure film

[@RayNotCharles]

Wow! It’s funny you mention the stunt show at Universal cause I saw that same one the first time me and my family went to Disney when I was like 5. I don’t remember a whole lot of that trip, but the Indiana Jones show, that one stuck! It was so cool how they did the big boulder roll scene and with the sound, even for being back in 2004, was pretty damn good. Felt like you were actually watching the movie😎🤙🏼

[@ep3578]

I never thought id see any Blue Nile ads lmfao. Wild

[@sameastwood4517]

The big brawler who was in this and Temple of Doom is Pat Roach, more remembered here in the UK as “Bomber” from the classic 80s sitcom Auf Weidershen Pet, about some Geordie brickies which I grew up watching as a child Give it a try!

[@gamegraves]

Go Uncle Roy!

[@geraldanderson3917]

Had to sit in my mom's lap at movie theater when it came out. sold out. Worth it

[@markvaynman6711]

Raiders of lost ark is my favorite movie. Also I loved Temple of doom.

[@jayge17]

So just like there are two types of of people, the ones who prefer Alien and the ones who prefer Aliens, I believe the same is true for Raiders vs. Last Crusade. I'm anxious to see which one you are, or maybe as a horror fanatic you are on another island as well, and prefer Temple of Doom...

[@CodyLeachYT]

You'll find out very soon!

[@rossbarrett6821]

Still love this movie cody.4k looks amazing too.

[@jamesmoss3424]

Harrison Ford is always excellent as Dr. Henry ' Indiana' Jones, Jr.😀👍

[@marytate6637]

I want to write that my name is Josh Tate and i'm writing that the fifth and last Indiana Jones film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is coming to Disney+ on Friday December 1, 2023. all five Indiana Jones films will all finally be available for people binge watch back to back on the streaming service Disney+.

[@jonathanalbertlopez]

I love this trilogy. Crystal skull wasn't great but it's not the worst movie I've seen. I'll be seeing Dial of Destiny this Friday

[@cooperwolfe5478]

I love the original trilogy as well. I’m in the process of rewatching all of the movies leading up to Dial of Destiny. So far I’ve rewatched Raiders of the Lost Ark and Temple of Doom, but honestly I can’t imagine a scenario where those aren’t my top 2 films in this franchise.

[@jonathanalbertlopez]

@@cooperwolfe5478 I'm gonna watch Last crusade tomorrow and Crystal skull on Thursday

[@ambergerber5162]

Hey Cody would you be willing to do a Harry Potter review playlist? And maybe a Back To The Future review playlist? I love both so much and would like to know your opinions about them and it might be fun for your kids to watch them. I know you have a lot on your plate and thank you so much for all of the great work you do. I'm really not trying to be a pest I just really love both of those franchises so much!

[@seantds619]

I only just got into this series like two or three months ago, and Raiders is my favorite

[@secularbelt]

You could change a few things in BTTF to make it a tiny, tiny, tiny bit closer to perfect

[@cobymclaughlin3453]

I totally agree ,it is a “perfect” movie!😁But I am on that tiny island with you Cody, as a casual Indy fan😂

[@offspringfan1288]

Kind of random, but can you review these films: Schindler’s List Goodfellas Silence of the Lambs True Lies Pulp Fiction Fight Club The Hunt for Red October Primal Fear American History X As far as I’m aware you have not reviewed any of these, maybe Pulp Fiction but because it was in a Tarantino ranking. Lol

[@ambergerber5162]

Cody would you consider doing a review of Spielberg movies? I know it's asking a lot!! 😂😂

[@michaelcoffey1991]

Love all 3 of the original trilogy (2nd being my favorite now) was a treat to see what you think about the original. I adore you always come from a place of real fandom, but can have a critical eye on what you love the most which is very hard for many of us. Looking forward to seeing what your thoughts are on the rest of the films of the franchise. To me this remains a beloved film and a top 10 to 20 action film of all time to me. Again thank you :)

[@CodyLeachYT]

I appreciate it!

[@spice_krispies]

Just curious what you like in Temple over this film. That film is fun but nowhere near the masterpiece Raiders is.

[@michaelcoffey1991]

@@spice_krispies thats your point of view, since you asked Ill tell you. The kid is amazing loved him in Goonies but he is even better in Temple, and the tone is much darker and Spielberg is brilliant when he does darker but only did so just a handful of times like Driven, Jaws, and SL plus Doom. At the time I saw it I liked it the least but as I have seen all 3 of the original trilogy it has become my favorite for its tone, its humor and its message of hope. Cheers

[@spice_krispies]

@@michaelcoffey1991 Being dark isn't the only thing that can save this film. It gets a lot of other things wrong the other films do so much better. Short Round, thank god, balances out the annoying and horrific female in this film.....

[@Dcuniverse60]

​@@CodyLeachYTthis movie is just okay a bit overated

[@colinbaldwin313]

Honestly, Indiana Jones was completely irrelevant to the defeat of the Nazis. Ultimately, he and Marion are tied up and helpless, but it turns out that they don't matter, because the ark is deadly to any who open it. If there were no Indy, the same thing would have transpired. I'm not criticizing that - I love how subversive the ending is, and how it reinforces that message of brains over brawn - but it's no wonder his character arc feels a bit weak. Amy Farrah Fowler was a spoilsport, but she was a spoilsport who spoke the truth.

[@jakegloden1669]

love the shirt my man

[@peteroscarson1188]

Robert Redford won an Oscar 1981 for Ordinary people. Spielberg wasn`t even nominated.

[@N00bkillr693]

Top five movie for me. Maybe top three. And funny enough I did not like this one at first, didn’t even finish it. I watched the second and third ones before Raiders and was really turned off by it because it was treating me like this is the introduction to Indy when I knew who the character was from 2 and 3. Fast forward obviously I love this one so much and declare this as the best adventure movie ever made!

[@freedomandwhathaveyou4062]

That's really cool to win a prize like that, nice

[@AdamFoster-jc5zt]

Great story Cody.

[@jordancrossgrove8827]

As someone who really only ever watched Temple of Doom growing up and also being a MASSIVE Star Wars fan, I don’t really have the nostalgia most people do for this movie. Because I’ve watched Star Wars my entire life and I’ve only really seen Raiders two or three times, most recently the other week for the first time in 15 years, I have to say, the only thing I can really complain about is the fact that the score clearly came very soon after Star Wars, you can clearly hear the Princess Leia theme in some of the score, specifically when Indy is drinking after he thinks Marion died. Literally my only complaint about the movie, and honestly I enjoy it more than think of it as a negative haha

[@spice_krispies]

Wow, youre critiquing a minor part of a John Williams score, of all people, as a negative in a masterpiece film? Atleast comment on part of the film itself. Talk about your nitpicking......

[@themarvelanddcmarshlands]

Any plans on covering the Young Indiana Jones TV show or just sticking to the movies?

[@CodyLeachYT]

Just the movies

[@karanvirkooner1993]

Philip Kaufman worked with George Lucas on Raiders of The Lost Ark

[@Galilelo_Telescope]

How old is Cody?

[@karanvirkooner1993]

Crash Bandicoot:Cortex Strikes Back has a reference to Raiders of The Lost Ark

[@loganbigmo]

Winning a Disney World trip from McDonalds? Talk about lucky!

[@lewiswilliams3137]

Amy from TBBT is all I think of with this film now..

[@zachsmith1634]

Being born in 1992, I’m on the rare island of people that has never seen an Indiana Jones movie lol.

[@AliFrankTheTank]

this one, only one i seen all the way through lol.