'RAIDERS' AT 40: DAMN NAZIS!

Like that other near immortal hero James Bond, Indiana Jones must have a worthy adversary to fight against in his epic globe-trotting adventures and Raiders of the Lost Ark brings us the Nazi threat through four greats. First off there is Indy's true rival in archaeology and fortune and glory seeking, Rene Belloq (played with a slimy kind of class by Paul Freeman), followed by his key Nazi aides desperate tor recover the 'Lost Ark' for their eager Fuhrer: stalwart German actor Wolf Kahler (who'd appeared previously as a Nazi against Harrison Ford in 1978's Force Ten From Navarone), Gobler (Anthony Higgins), and the truly creepy Toht (a standout performance from the late Ronald Lacey, who was apparently about to quit acting completely before being given this marvellous comedy villain role to enjoy).

"Heil, Hitler!" Toht, as played by Ronald Lacey.

Freeman and Lacey with John Rhys-Davies and Pat Roach at the UK press launch in 1981.