On this date… 12 June 1981
Raiders of the Lost Ark released
Young Rusty Marcum
It’s the summer of 1981, and I’m standing in line with my family at the Allen Theater in Farmington, New Mexico. Never before in my young life had I seen a line for tickets wrap around the building. I’m nervous. We didn’t make the earlier showing, and I’m not sure if we’re going to make this one. My mom and dad are discussing seating arrangements if we can’t find seats together. I will go with her and my sister, my dad will take my older brothers. As we wait in line, people are talking about the movie I’m waiting for.
“Best movie I’ve seen this year,” says a man ahead of me. “Nancy at the office said the special effects are totally awesome,” says someone behind me.
My anticipation builds. I really want to see this movie. We get to the ticket window and my brother’s girlfriend gives us a tired smile as she sells us two adult, and three kid tickets. She doesn’t charge my brother (her boyfriend), and gives my other brother discount rates. My dad kinda complains, but is secretly relieved. This is a pricey outing on his oil field salary. As we bypass the concession line, I give the candy counter a wistful look knowing this would be a no treat outing, but I’m also okay with that, because based on the number of people in line, we should have no problem finding seats.
The main seating is full, so my dad whisks up to the balcony where we find a group of six seats right at the railing. This is exciting, I’ve never sat up here before. I have an unencumbered view of the screen. This is going to be cool. After what seems like forever, the lights go down, the curtains part, and I am transported to a steamy South American jungle where a leather jacket, fedora wearing man makes his way through the foliage and into a temple.
I am instantly hooked as I watch Dr. Indiana Jones navigate the ancient temple, avoid traps, escape the bad guys and become one of the most iconic movie figures of the century. That night, I couldn't sleep. I keep thinking about the movie and how I can become like Indiana Jones. Would my dad let me have a whip? How does one become an archeologist? Does Washington DC really have the ark hidden somewhere? And on and on the thoughts go until I finally fall asleep.
This has been my most favorite movie going experience hands down. No matter how many times I’ve seen the iconic movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, released On This Date, 12 June 1981, it still holds a special magic for me. Here are some fun facts about this masterpiece.
Raiders Fun Facts
Indiana Jones was originally named Indiana Smith. George Lucas, who co-created the character with Steven Spielberg, had Indiana Smith in mind, but Spielberg preferred Jones. The name Indiana was inspired by Lucas's own dog, an Alaskan Malamute.
Tom Selleck was the first choice to play Indiana Jones, but he had to decline due to his commitment to the TV series Magnum, P.I. This opened the door for Harrison Ford, who had worked with Lucas previously on both American Graffiti and the Star Wars films.
One of the most famous scenes, where Indiana Jones shoots a sword-wielding adversary instead of fighting him, was not in the original script. Harrison Ford was suffering from dysentery and couldn't perform the elaborate fight scene, so he suggested simply shooting the swordsman. Spielberg agreed, and it became an iconic moment in the film.
**The Real Snakes**: In the Well of Souls scene, real snakes were used, but the production couldn't find enough of them. They supplemented the scene with legless lizards to make it look more crowded. To ensure the safety of the actors, a glass pane separated Harrison Ford from the snakes, which is visible in the film if you look closely.
In the scene where Indiana Jones and Sallah lift the Ark of the Covenant, hieroglyphics of the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO from Star Wars can be seen in the background, a nod to George Lucas's other famous creation.
Alfred Molina made his film debut in Raiders of the Lost Ark as Satipo, the treacherous guide who betrays Indiana at the beginning of the movie. Molina’s character famously meets his end via a booby trap in the temple.
Alfred Molina as Sapito, in his first credited screen role. The sound of the boulder rolling was created by sound designer Ben Burtt using a recording of a car rolling down a gravel driveway. Similarly, the eerie sound of the Ark being opened was a mixture of various strange sounds, including the lid of a toilet tank being lifted.
The character of Indiana Jones was inspired by the serials and pulp magazines of the 1930s and 1940s, as well as by real-life archaeologists like Hiram Bingham III and Roy Chapman Andrews.
Danny DeVito was considered for the role of Sallah. However, due to scheduling conflicts with his television show Taxi, he had to turn down the role.
Marvel studios wanted the first Captain America movie to have a “Raiders Vibe”. This is why the Red Skull throws shade at Hitler by saying, “And the Fuhrer digs for trinkets in the desert” Imagine Thanos has the gauntlet, getting ready to snap, when a whip comes from off screen and pops him in the face before we hear - “that belongs in a museum!” Wouldn’t that be some crossover moment?
So do me a favor after you read this. Crank the “Raider March” loud, use your favorite jump rope as a bullwhip, and watch that movie just one more time!