'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: 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... 

CLASSIC INDY: THAT SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE!

It beats going to work, even if you do end up pretty bruised and battered by the end of it! Indiana Jones' high-octane, world-travelled adventure linked to the mystery and power of the lost Ark of the Covenant is warmly rendered by Tom Jung in this great unused poster art for Raiders of the Lost Ark, that also showcases both his former love and a key Nazi enemy.

CLASSIC INDY: LONDON CALLING!

UK/London based Indy fans, don't forget-RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK will be playing for a one week engagement in IMAX at the BFI IMAX Waterloo, from tomorrow.

Details here: ODEON - Raiders Of The Lost Ark IMAX - Tickets | Film Trailer | Preview | Release Date

Trailer: INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK - IMAX Trailer (2012) - YouTube

In the US, the IMAX screenings of the film were a huge success, of which its theatrical run prior to its Blu-ray release was extended a further week.

And check out this great deleted scene footage from RAIDERS, coming to the Blu-ray release, about the classic Indy versus Swordsman sequence: Indiana Jones: 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' deleted scene -- EXCLUSIVE | Inside Movies | EW.com

CLASSIC INDY: MELTING TOHT!

The villainous Toht (Ronald Lacey) gets more than he bargained for when the Lost Ark of the Covenant is finally opened up by his Nazi overseers, in this gruesome horror image from a superb make-up/effects sequence in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK that is, even now- thirty one years on, as memorable and scary as ever.

CLASSIC RAIDERS: MAKING A MARK!

The evil Nazi spy Toht (a brilliant performance of comedy and creepiness from the much missed British actor Ronald Lacey) gets a major burn, and some additional intriguing new skin markings, when he attempts to retrieve Marion Ravenwood's prized medallion within the fiery shell of her Nepalese bar/nightspot, in this classic moment from Indiana Jones premiere 1981 adventure: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK.

And speaking of "fortune and glory" seekers, check out the first fifteen minutes or so of fan documentarian Jamie Benning's RAIDING THE LOST ARK: A FILMUMENTARY, via his FACEBOOK page: Raiding The Lost Ark

CLASSIC RAIDERS: MARION IN TROUBLE!

Nazi henchman Toht (Ronald Lacey) makes a dangerous nuisance of himself when he captures Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) in a tense scene from RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK.