'RAIDERS' AT 40: THE ARK UNLEASHED!

With the Ark of the Covenant now opened up by Nazi interlopers, an air of electric expectancy turns to disappointment- that everyone's efforts have all been wasted as the powers that may once have lain within it now seem no more than decayed ashes. Then, the power of God is truly revealed- an ominous noise at first, leading to the unleashing of misty apparitions that soon become all-consuming demons who swiftly destroying the Nazi platoon and bring absolute terror and bloody carnage to the trio of Belloq, Dietrich, and Toht, now getting their just deserts, during the exciting, scary and truly bloody finale to Raiders of the Lost Ark that no one will ever forget!

The original Belloq exploding head moment that proved too nasty for the screen!

Their eyes expectantly shut, Indy and Marion survive the fiery 'wrath of God' carnage!

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/06/12/raiders-lost-ark-stars-discuss-infamous-face-melting-scene/7628757002/

Concept art of one of the Ark ghosts.

Spielberg confers with Ford and Allen at Elstree.

'RAIDERS' AT 40: DRINKING CHALLENGE - ROUND TWO

Released from her bonds but surrounded by both Nazis and treacherous desert, Marion makes the most of Rene Belloq's fascination with her, soon bringing her drinking skills to bear in an outlandish but always funny to watch escape attempt that truly utilizes the comedic skills of Karen Allen so successfully and reminds us why she and her character are still the ultimate gal for Indiana Jones in his Fortieth Anniversary (US) today (12/6/2021).

 

https://www.heyuguys.com/indiana-jones-interview-karen-allen/?fbclid=IwAR26KQZ0XF1vj_WAC3Sz0xOMfOaFXrF8-ESqbv9gFTp93nz5uhnh1mtcu_4

'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.

'RAIDERS' AT 40: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!

Gorgeous UK 1981/82 poster art by Richard Amsel.

As Harrison Ford prepares to don the fedora and throw himself physically into the role one last time as that immortal icon Indiana Jones, 2021 is also the time to celebrate the incredible fortieth anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the film that finally cemented Ford's movie star status after his prior popularity in playing Han Solo with the first two Star Wars adventures, whilst also importantly re-igniting Steven Spielberg's box office power and critical acclaim as a director. Its subsequent sequels would all boast many fine moments of character, humour and action, but nothing compares to the breathless rollercoaster excitement, fun and overall unexpectedness of storytelling from this original tale, which set the quality stunt work bar ever further for all action films soon trying hard to catch-up in its mighty footsteps... 

'RAIDERS' AT 35: ALL THIS GLISTERS...

Colonel Deitrich and his Nazi's aren't at all happy with Rene Belloq's planned Jewish ceremonial ritual for the opening of the captured Ark of the Covenant at their far away island base. Sure enough, the villains of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK will get their just desserts, as the "transmitter for speaking to God" is activated to terrifying effect.

'RAIDERS' AT 35: "NOW YOU'RE GETTIN' NASTY!"

You can always judge a man by the quality of his enemies, of which our heroic Indy has certainly had some of the best cinematic adversaries to enter into conflict with these late thirty-five years, starting off with Paul Freeman's Rene Belloq- a true rival in archeology to Indy, just as passionate in his quests as the American adventurer, but allied squarely with the Germans in the race to find the lost Ark of the Covenant. Certainly, one of their best scenes was in the Cairo bar, sizzling with Indy's anger towards the smarmy Belloq after the supposed death of Marion.