WHIP CRACK AWAY! 'RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK' HITS 45!

Poster concept art by Drew Struzan.

I'll never, ever forget the buzz of seeing a special midnight screening in London for Raiders of the Lost Ark back in 1981, several weeks before it went on general release. The first eagerly-awaited creative team-up by Lucas and Spielberg, it blew me away with its humour, superb action, relentless pace and terrific storytelling/direction. And it was the film in which Harrison Ford truly became a super star. Forty-five years on, its aura of rollercoaster Saturday afternoon serials atmosphere always delivers the cinematic goods to me whenever I watch it. The first ones are always the best!

Back in UK cinemas this month for an all too limited release, enjoy this visual celebration of the film that started the Indiana Jones phenomenon, as Raiders celebrates its Forty-Fifth Anniversary...

Early conceptual painting for the film by acclaimed artist Jim Steranko.

The 'Dream Team' confer on location in Hawaii.

Ford, cinematographer Douglas Slocombe and Spielberg work out how to film the opening sequence.

Ford as Indy prepares to make the transfer, which proves deadly.

The trap begins!

Indiana and fellow explorer Satipo (Alfred Molina).

Gary Kurtz captures a classic pose on camera at Elstree.

Three heads are better than one in this great image with Spielberg and Alfred Molina.

One of the earliest publicity images of Harrison Ford as Indy.

Ford clowns around with Spielberg.

Filming the Tibetan bar scene.

A close-up of Karen Allen as Marion.

Not a happy reunion for Indy and Marion!

Filming the Cairo set scenes in Tunisia.

Lovely shot of Ford and Allen in the street scenes.

Conferring with Howard Kazanjian and Spielberg.

Indy uses the bull whip to great effect.

Laughs aplenty during filming.

John Rhys-Davies amuses Harrison Ford at Elstree.

Indy contemplates the Tanis Map Room's secrets.

Inside the Well of the Souls!

'Asps! Very dangerous!'

Another gorgeous image of Karen Allen.

Together again, and back in danger!

Presumably production art for Marion and Indy's escape from the main chamber in the Well of Souls.

Marion, trapped in the Well of Souls!

Surviving illness by eating canned food, Spielberg directs on location.

Lucas and Kazanjian ponder the weather?

The amazing location filming with the Nazi flying wing vehicle.

Watched by a captivated crowd of extras, Spielberg goes through some rehearsal action with Pat Roach playing a Nazi.

Indy takes a bite from the nasty German!

Then goes on horseback to purse the Ark.

Filming the superb truck chase sequence.

Indy and Marian leave Sallah and journey away with Captain Katanga (a memorable performance from  George Harris).

Michael Sheard as the deleted scene U-boat captain.

Rehearsing Indy's moment in threatening to destroy the Ark. Filmed within the legendary Star Wars Canyon.

Spielberg directs the film's key villains before their ultimate demise from opening the Ark of the Covenant!

Manipulating the Belloq puppet for his demise.

Operating the dummy Belloq at ILM.

The eerie finale sequence.

Michael Pangrazio at work on the matte painting.

Conceptual poster art.

Spielberg with one of the original release posters.

'RAIDERS' AT 40: "WHERE IS THE ARK?"

Now returned to the US, Indy's dream to acquire the Ark have been quashed by the American military, as the artifact, with all of its mysteries and untapped power, is now transferred to an unknown facility, secretly hidden amongst a vast array of other potential secret weapons that must never be revealed, heralding the memorable finale to Raiders of the Lost Ark, courtesy of a terrific live action/matte painting fusion handled by ILM veteran Michael Pangrazio. 

Michael Pangrazio at work on the classic image.

An angry Indy is reunited with Marion as the two go on to share a commiseratory drink- a pre-final scene scripted but filmed after the original period of principal photography had been completed.

Harrison Ford and Karen Allen film their additional wrap-up scene with a small crew in San Francisco.

We hope you've enjoyed STAR WARS AFICIONADO's year-long celebration of Raiders of the Lost Ark in its Fortieth Anniversary.