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![]() Rakesh's movie talk
Raiders of The Lost Ark (1981)
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I had always liked the 80's TV show Magnum P.I. It stars Tom Selleck as the slobbish, underdressed (always
with a pair of shorts) PI with a flaming red Ferrari. Selleck is perfect for the role, funny, charming and tough if needed
be. Now, why am I talking about Mr. Selleck in this obvious commentary on Raiders Of The Lost Ark (Raiders). Well,
readers (for those who don't know), Tom Selleck was the original choice to play Indiana Jones. Oops...I can hear some scream
and some sounds. Obviously some have fainted. Yeah, can you believe it? Well, blame it on Harrison Ford. Like Connery who made James Bond his own, Ford IS Indiana Jones or Indy as
he is more fondly known. Take it or leave it. The image is imprisoned in our mind that if they were to continue the series
with a new actor, the audience will not respond. Think of the TV series with young Indiana Jones. It didn't survive. As most of us know, the character is the brainchild of George Lucas. When Steven Spielberg informed him that
he had an invitation to do a Bond film, Lucas countered him and said that he got a better character. So, the history was made
and the collaboration was born. Raiders is one of the brighter star in Spielberg's resume and is definitely the most
lucrative series after Star Wars for Lucas. Raiders I bet that we remember at least one of those scenes, even if we had seen it only when we were nine years old,
as it was, I believe, in my case. I must have caught a scene here and there in later years on TV. But for recent viewing I
spent time and watched it frame by frame (though the format was pan and scan, I ought to get the widescreen version). The plot in nutshell concerns the adventure of Indiana Jones, a famous archeologist who is assigned to retrieve
the covenant ark, which contains the original Ten Commandments, which in turn is sought after by the Nazis. It takes him across
Nepal, Egypt and Greece, meeting various characters, animals and incidents. It is one action and breath stealing suspense after another. In between we are allowed a breather, where we
get to get closer to Marrion (Karen Allen) and Indy as they rekindle their forgotten romance. But wait, there comes another
edge-of-the seat delight. Cruel, cruel Mr. Spielberg. Before I forget, check out that scene with cloth hanger. Oh, that one really got me into stitches. And of
course, can anybody forget John Williams marching score. I need not say more about this genius work in the movie, you got
to watch and listen and you know what I am talking about. 1980 was probably unofficially the last year the dark realism era of 70s filmmaking. I agree with the book
by Peter Biskind, Easy Riders and Raging Bulls, which claims that Raging Bull (dir. Martin Scorcese) as the
film that ended it all. Yes, by now the audiences were tired of realism. They wanted fun. It was demonstrated by the success
of Star Wars and its sequels. And Raiders was a big welcomed change. The audience accepted the story of a realistic,
believable persona in some unbelievable fantastic situation. A few words about Karen Allen who plays Marrion. She is great as Indy's foil, partner, ally and love interest.
She excels in all those departments, especially in action where she can give Lara Croft a run for her quest for more sequels.
Most important of all, to this writer, she is a BABE! Too bad I read that her career didn't really take off. Just when you
need an actress like that, in come the likes of Roberts, Palthrow or Zelwegger. Gad, I see a rotten tomato coming... Better
scram.
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