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George Lucas had the story, but not the time to direct. He was too deeply involved with his Star Wars movies. He described the idea to Steven Spielberg, suggesting he direct a film based on it. Spielberg agreed, and what evolved was Raiders of the Lost Ark. The film was not expected to be a blockbuster, but it was. It earned 5 Oscars and led to 3 more movies featuring the exploits of Indiana Jones. The name was changed to Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in keeping with the titles of these additional films.

Tom Selleck was the first actor chosen to star, but he was committed to Magnum P. I. And had to turn the role down. Lucas had resisted offering the lead to Harrison Ford because Ford had previously been in not only Star Wars but another Lucas film, American Graffiti. Lucas did not want Ford to be handicapped by appearing to be a constant actor in his films. Ultimately, however, the role was given to Ford not long before filming was to begin. The movie is credited by many with turning Ford into a true star and establishing him as a fan favorite.

The role of Marion Ravenwood was first offered to Debra Winger, who turned it down. Karen Allen was then cast as the daughter of Jones’ mentor. John Rhys-Davies turns in a performance as the Egyptian digger, Sallah, Indy’s friend. Denholm Elliott appears as Marcus Brody, the curator of the museum that purchases most of Indiana’s finds. The part of Belloq, a French archaeologist who delights in thwarting Indy’s plans, is played by Paul Freeman.

Total budget for the movie was about twenty million dollars. By comparison, the first Star Wars movie, released in 1977, had an eighteen million dollar budget. Blade Runner, filmed a year later, carried a twenty eight million dollar price tag. Raiders grossed in excess of $380 million at the box office, the most of any film that year. Paramount, who had finally agreed to finance the film after every other studio turned it down, was no doubt pleasantly surprised.

The movie takes place in 1936. Indiana Jones is an archaeologist who routinely embarks on harrowing journeys in search of rare artifacts. He is also a university professor. In the first few minutes of action, he penetrates the jungle, navigates his way through numerous booby traps and retrieves a golden idol. Almost instantly, Belloq, along with a tribe of natives working for him, forces Indy to give up the prize. After managing his escape from the natives, Indiana returns to the classroom. Two intelligence agents call on him and tell him that the Nazis have recruited Belloq to find the Staff of Ra. Indiana’s old friend, Abner Ravenwood, is supposed to have this artifact, which can be used to recover the Ark of the Covenant. Jones tries to locate Abner in Nepal, but finds Abner’s daughter instead. She bears Indy some hard feelings, but tells him her father is dead and that she may have what he seeks. All the while, she is wearing the staff’s headpiece around her neck. Before the two can work out their differences, the Nazis launch an attack. Indiana and Marion escape, the headpiece in their possession. The action is fast and furious, with more close calls and harrowing adventures. Eventually, the Nazis and Belloq end up with the Ark. Bellow insists on opening it so it can be tested before it is delivered to Hitler. When he opens it, everyone in the vicinity of it is killed except Indiana and Marion, who avert their eyes. Finally, the Ark is brought back to America, where it ends up stored in an unspecified warehouse.

The film received Oscars for Sound Effects Editing, Visual Effects, Art Direction, Film Editing, and Sound. It received a nomination in the Best Picture category but did not win. Ben Burtt was in charge of sound effects while Industrial Light and Magic handled the visual effects. John Williams was nominated for his score but lost to Vangelis, who had scored the immensely popular movie, Chariots of Fire.

On location filming in Tunisia was challenging for members of both the crew and cast. The heat was oppressive, and many also fell victim to dysentery and other illnesses. The scene with the fancy sword work that ends with Indiana shooting the swordsman was not originally scripted. Ford was too ill to play the scene as it had been written and suggested the alternative. He also injured his knee when, during a fight scene, the wheel of an airplane rolled over his leg.

Since its premier, Raiders of the Lost Ark has been a perennial fan favorite. In 2008, a DVD version which included extras as well as correcting some errors was released. The film is also available in a boxed set.

His next target was the west where he bought the Nestor Studio in Hollywood. Burn DVDs Internet offers you truly the possibility to find and hire everything your heart craves for. There are no viruses, pop up and other things which make your computer very slow.