TopTenREVIEWS presents the movie reviews of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

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Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

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1981

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Ratings and rankings are based on number of movie, review scores, awards & other criteria.

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) is ranked overall as out of 4 stars

Overall Rating:4.0437

Avg Critic Score:3.9630

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Rank 4 Reviews

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sbs.is (Stefan Birgir Stefansson)

perhaps the greatest adventure movie of all time ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at sbs.is (Stefan Birgir Stefansson)

Andy Keast

The screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan ("The Empire Strikes Back") and Philip Kaufman ("The Outlaw Josey Wales"), based on an idea by George Lucas, is a real piece of work. Drawing upon the old Republic serials with titles like "The Secret Service in Darkest ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Andy Keast

Marshall Garvey

Well, as for explanation, this is a movie review, and with a film this great there's plenty to explain. Perhaps most important is the story, written by an amazing crew consisting of George Lucas, Philip Kaufman, and Lawrence Kasdan. Together, the three ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Marshall Garvey

Dragan Antulov

The plot begins in 1936. Indiana "Indy" Jones (played by Harrison Ford) is shy and mildmannered college professor of archaeology, but when the college museum headed by Marcus Brody (played by Denholm Elliott) needs new artefacts, Indiana Jones is turned ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Dragan Antulov

LeisureSuit.net

The first and third Indiana Jones films are by far the best work of producer George Lucas, and right up there with the best work of director Steven Spielberg. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at LeisureSuit.net

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Critic Reviews continued...

SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review

Raiders of the Lost Ark began life as a holiday in Hawaii taken by good friends George Lucas and Steven Spielberg in 1977. Lucas was fraught with uncertainty and the belief that his about-to-open film Star Wars (1977) would be a flop. On the ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review

Steve Rhodes

Harrison Ford, in a role arguably as important to his career as that of Han Solo, plays Indiana Jones as an everyman, but one who has the unbounded courage of a man possessed of a golden vision. With his rugged good looks and his signature outfit of big ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Steve Rhodes

Jesse Kaplan

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) is the spectacular, cliff-hanger, breathlessly-paced, non-stop action/adventure film of the early 1980s, an immensely successful summer box-office hit. George Lucas, producer, and director Steven Spielberg made RAIDERS, firs ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Jesse Kaplan

The Greatest Films (Tim Dirks)

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) is the spectacular, cliff-hanger, breathlessly-paced, non-stop action/adventure film of the early 1980s. It was an immensely successful summer box-office hit. The film was conceived by producer George Lucas and directed by S ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at The Greatest Films (Tim Dirks)

Mike Watson

Of course, the other vital components of a great action film are also in place: solid storytelling, colourful characters, spicy romance, and exotic midEastern locales, topped off with some very convincing and horrifying special effects. Oh, and a ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Mike Watson

DVDBeaver

You have to love a movie that is so devilishly clever as to make the hero's every effort, no matter how Herculean, irrelevant to the conclusion. Had Dr. Jones elected to go on an extended vacation to Mozambique and never have anything to do with the Ark o ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at DVDBeaver

Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)

Inspired by the cliffhanging Republic serials of the 1930s, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the brainchild of wunderkinds George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, arguably the two most important cinematic entertainers of the last 50 years, made everything old seem ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)

Three Movie Buffs (Eric Nash)

Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the greatest films of all time. My sons have discovered the Indiana Jones movies and they love them all, but Raiders is easily the best in the ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Three Movie Buffs (Eric Nash)

MovieEye.com (David Litton)

Before he dazzled us with the timeless tale of an extra-terrestrial and a young boy, and provoked our minds with a man on the run from a government that prevents crime before it happens, Steven Speilberg brought us one of the world's most enduring action ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at MovieEye.com (David Litton)

Deranged Video Dude (Robert Wurth)

Some films defy the review process. For me, Raiders of the Lost Ark is just such a film. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't get any better than this and I'm not ashamed to admit that this is my favorite film. No contest. So, regarding my review, there's ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Deranged Video Dude (Robert Wurth)

CinemaZone.dk

Denne film kan kun købes i et samlet box-sæt med alle tre Indiana Jones-film. Se boksen til venstre for anmeldelser af de andre film. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at CinemaZone.dk

Jerry Saravia

Harrison Ford is pitch perfect as Indiana Jones, showing sly changes from a bespectacled professor who is admired by his students to an action hero with a felt hat and trusty bullwhip who never thinks twice about shooting a swordsman (easily the best ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Jerry Saravia

Time Out

ollywood's chutzpah whizzkids Spielberg and Lucas team up to bring the audiences who flocked to Star Wars and Close Encounters a replay of the innocent pleasures of Saturday serials, but done at two hours length with a much larger budget than the old clif ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Time Out

LarsenOnFilm (Josh Larsen)

...lets us indulge in childish thrills without feeling silly about it. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at LarsenOnFilm (Josh Larsen)

eFilmCritic.com (Rob Gonsalves)

The most purely fun movie ever made. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Rob Gonsalves)

DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

...despite the fast pace, the movie is never frenetic or tiring, just pure, unadulterated fun throughout. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

Frank's Reel Reviews (--)

In the late '70s, early '80s George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were rising stars in the world of filmmaking with their respective titles Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. After all of their hard work, the longtime friend decided to meet ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Frank's Reel Reviews (--)

eFilmCritic.com (--)

Harrison Ford in what's got to be his best character ever (like 0.03 better than even Han Solo) takes on... you guessed it, NAZIS!!!! Those Nazis are up to their old tricks, trying to recover the ark of the covenant (from the bible, remember?) Ford teams ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at eFilmCritic.com (--)

At-A-Glance Film Reviews (--)

Steven Spielberg wanted to direct a James Bond film, but was denied because he was an American. For millions of movie-lovers everywhere, this was not a bad thing, for afterward, Spielberg teamed up with George Lucas, and they created their own James Bond ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at At-A-Glance Film Reviews (--)

TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

The 1930s-style adventure serial was never better served than in this spectacular cliffhanger to end all cliffhangers. Indeed RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK totally transcends its modest source material. Packed with astounding action setpieces, this movie was ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)

Movie Addict (John Ulmer)

Perhaps the greatest adventure film of all time. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Movie Addict (John Ulmer)

Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)

An exciting, hair-raising adventure unexpectedly wrapped around traditional religious themes. More power to any film that can interest children in traditional religion. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)

DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

...despite the fast pace, the movie is never frenetic or tiring, just pure, unadulterated fun throughout. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at DVDTown.com (John J. Puccio)

Decent Films Guide (Steven D. Greydanus)

Classic action set pieces, Harrison Ford at his swashbuckling best, Old Testament spirituality, and a satiric jab at Nazi anti-Semitism. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Decent Films Guide (Steven D. Greydanus)

Matt's Movie Reviews (Matt Easterbrook)

Raiders Of The Lost Ark was the first in the Indiana Jones trilogy, and it can be argued that it changed the course of filmmaking for the better part of a decade. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Matt's Movie Reviews (Matt Easterbrook)

New York Times (Vincent Canby)

To get to the point immediately, Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the most deliriously funny, ingenious and stylish American adventure movies ever made. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at New York Times (Vincent Canby)

Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)

Allows for a certain worldliness, cautiousness, and darkness in Indy's character. He's far from reckless or noble. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)

Three Movie Buffs (Eric Nash)

Movie Gazette (Gary Panton)

The greatest adventure of our ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Movie Gazette (Gary Panton)

Edinburgh U Film Society (Indianna Jed)

Raiders of the Lost Ark is Spielberg's tribute to Saturday matinee serials, apparently, which is good of him, because can there be anyone in this society who remember them first time round? ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Edinburgh U Film Society (Indianna Jed)

TV Guide Entertainment Network, Movie Guide

MovieWeb (Carl Lazarevic)

The film world is a vast place, and yet where changes are concerned it appears as if this world is suffering from the biggest case of mass paranoia ever experienced. This is fair enough because sometimes an update is detrimental to the original product ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at MovieWeb (Carl Lazarevic)

filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

You'd have to be a heathen to argue with the fact that Raiders of the Lost Ark stands as the best action-adventure movie ever made. And an un-American loser. And an idiot. But knowing how many un-American idiot loser heathens there are out there, I ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)

Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)

Before I would develop an obsession with Hitchcock's masterpiece, Vertigo, Raiders of the Lost Ark was my all-time favorite movie. Perhaps as testament to the film's greatness, it still ranks as a close second. When someone looks bewildered when I tell ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)

CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)

Indiana Jones è un archeologo che insegna all'università, ma è soprattutto un avventuriero. Gli viene affidato dal Governo l'incarico di trovare l'arca dell'alleanza, nella quale sarebbero custodite le tavole mosaiche. Sembra che anche Hitler sia alla ric ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at CineFile : il Cinema in Rete (Alberto Cassani)

MovieFreak.com (Dennis Landmann)

Indiana Jones (Ford) teams up with an ex-girlfriend (Allen) in pursuit of the sacred Arc of the Covenant before it falls into the hands of Nazi agents. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at MovieFreak.com (Dennis Landmann)

Spirituality & Health (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)

Some movies are very special in that they compel us to live only within the images we see on the screen. The story must be engaging, the characters interesting, and the action nonstop. George Lucas, creator of the successful Star Wars saga, and Steven Spi ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Spirituality & Health (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)

Movie-Vault.com (Mel Valentin)

Directed by Steven Spielberg (Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T.: The Extraterrestrial, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, War of the Worlds) from a story by George Lucas (the Star Wars trilogies), Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the hig ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Movie-Vault.com (Mel Valentin)

DVD MovieGuide

Back when Raiders of the Lost Ark hit screens in 1981, I felt no desire to see it. For reasons I no longer recall, my then-14-year-old self thought Spielberg movies seemed uncool, and I greatly resisted the movie. I only went because my Dad touted it heav ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at DVD MovieGuide

Home Theater Info (Doug MacLean)

There was a time when going to the movies was an all day event. You would have the main feature, a second feature (whose cast was less than �A� list), a newsreel (this was in the day before CNN), a cartoon and a Saturday morning serial. The serial was a b ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Home Theater Info (Doug MacLean)

ToxicUniverse.com (John Nesbit)

Nobody is perfect and Spielberg certainly has shortcomings, but you won�t find them in this film. Raiders of the Lost ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at ToxicUniverse.com (John Nesbit)

A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

It was in the late 70's that George Lucas offered Steven Spielberg the idea of doing a film based upon old Saturday matinee serials. Watching it again on DVD, one is struck once again by the power of practical effects. While we currently live in an age wh ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at A Guide to Current DVD (Aaron Beierle)

Xiibaro Productions (David Perry)

François Truffaut once wrote, "A perfectly ordinary movie with energy can turn out to be better cinema that a film with 'intelligent' intentions listlessly executed." That statement seems especially true with the early blockbuster work of Steven Spielberg ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Xiibaro Productions (David Perry)

Mutant Reviewers From Hell

It is one test of a true classic to ask yourself, if this film had never been made and was released as is today, would it still be considered as good? I can't see how Raiders of the Lost Ark would not be completely embraced by our culture. It's action, it ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Mutant Reviewers From Hell

Movie ram-blings (Ram Samudrala)

The plot is simple, but involves elaborate twists and turns in terms of execution: set in a pre-World War II era, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), "professor of archaeology, expert on the occult" and "obtainer of rare antiquities", must find the mystical an ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Movie ram-blings (Ram Samudrala)

Boxoffice Magazine

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" is a wonderful movie. The good news for exhibitors is that it's also one of those rollercoaster-like movies that people will be lining up for again and again. And because word of mouth should be the best since "Star Wars" and "Ro ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Boxoffice Magazine

The Stop Button (Andrew Wickliffe)

Maybe it was the viewing atmosphere... I also was obsessing about something I�d read from either Spielberg or Lucas claiming credit for �MTV-style� editing with Raiders. Once the film was edited, the two went through and snipped a few frames at each edit ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at The Stop Button (Andrew Wickliffe)

Christian Spotlight on the Movies

When I think of the countless times I have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark and loved it, I get a giddy expression on my face. Here is a movie that takes every element from the old Saturday afternoon serials that mattered and delivers it all with a surprising ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Christian Spotlight on the Movies

filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

In the decade between 1975 and 1985, producer/directors Steven Spielberg and George Lucas dominated the box office. It was inevitable that Lucas and Spielberg would eventually cross paths on a project, since they had the greatest skill at putting togeth ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at filmsgraded.com (Brian Koller)

DVDnett.no

Med alt oppstyret og hypet rundt Star Wars-filmene er det lett å glemme at George Lucas også har vært medansvarlig for et annet av filmhistoriens mer vellykkede konsepter. Fortellingen om Indiana Jones var opprinnelig Lucas sin idé, men i stedet for å stå ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at DVDnett.no

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" plays like an anthology of the best parts from all the Saturday matinee serials ever made. It takes place in Africa, Nepal, Egypt, at sea and in a secret submarine base. It contains trucks, bulldozers, tanks, m ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")

Astounding movie packed with non-stop action, stunts galore, an interesting story line, great one-liners, a solid cast, a catchy musical score, and all the fun and adventure that you could squeeze into a two-hour thrill ride. If you don't enjoy this ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at JoBlo's Movie Emporium ("JoBlo")

Cinescape

When two of Hollywood's most successful filmmakers, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, joined forces to make a film, they looked back, way back, in Hollywood's history for inspiration--to the thrilling days of the 1940s black-and-white movie serials. Acti ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Cinescape

Joe Chamberlain

It's 1935, and Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is a professor of archaeology. Only, that's his day job. Jones is a globe hopper who has a unique talent for acquiring rare antiquities. Jones' talents come to the attention of U.S. Army intelligence, who ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Joe Chamberlain

Walter Frith

Why? Why write a movie review in retrospective fashion that everyone loves and adores and is so popular that the need for further say isn't necessary? In short, a lot of that is true but I feel the need to say several things about Steven Spielberg's 1981 ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Walter Frith

Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)

George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's classic movie did not invent adventure, as it was largely inspired by old serials, pulp magazines and B-movies, but it certainly revamped our conception of big screen adventure. Even "Star Wars" from a few years before ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Montreal Film Journal (Kevin N. Laforest)

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

"Raiders of the Lost Ark" is an out-of-body experience, a movie of glorious imagination and breakneck speed that grabs you in the first shot, hurtles you through a series of incredible ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

BBC Films

Would we still be celebrating Steven Spielberg and George Lucas' breathtaking tribute to the cliffhanging serials of the 30s had first choice Tom Selleck nabbed the role of Indiana Jones? Probably not. The stunts are incredible and the effects astonishing ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at BBC Films

Teen Movie Critic (Roger Davidson)

Steven Spielberg's tribute to classic movie serials, Harrison Ford stars as Indiana Jones, archaeologist, adventurer and globe-trotter extraordinaire. His quest is to find the lost ark of the covenant (remember your Old Testament) and to get it out of the ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Teen Movie Critic (Roger Davidson)

PreViewed DVD

When my parents first took the family to see Raiders of the Lost Ark in the theater, I was merely ten years old, and I didn't know a thing about Indiana Jones. All I knew is we were going to the movies, and that was pretty good. I didn't realize that we w ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at PreViewed DVD

digitallyOBSESSED.com (Brian Calhoun)

I was eight years old when Raiders of the Lost Ark first hit the big screen. I can vividly remember visiting my local theater innumerable times to witness this epic action adventure again and again. Twenty-two years have now passed, and while my excitemen ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at digitallyOBSESSED.com (Brian Calhoun)

Filmtracks (Christian Clemmensen)

I recommend that you pick up a copy of this release in favor of the original Raiders of the Lost Ark release. Like the expanded release of E.T. a year later, this expanded treatment provided many more of the interesting and dark cues ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Filmtracks (Christian Clemmensen)

Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews (Harry Knowles)

Isn?t it fantastic to watch a perfect film with a perfect audience in a perfect theater with the perfect trailers and the perfect atmosphere' ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews (Harry Knowles)

DVD Net (Amy Flower)

Oh come on, you need a synopsis for one of the greatest adventure films of all time? Why don�t you just do what everybody else seems to do, skip our lovingly crafted introductory bits and glance fleetingly at the video and audio ratings?! ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at DVD Net (Amy Flower)

Jiminy Critic (Jon Kern)

With all the gossip shows, technical manuals, pretentious reviews, and Hollywood schlock out there, the essential purpose of movies�Entertainment!�can get lost. Beyond critical analysis, movies provide a vicarious thrill�to enter upon another�s fictive ex ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at Jiminy Critic (Jon Kern)

EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)

Vastly entertaining, Spielberg's adventure herladed a new breed of Hollywood blockbuster (and event film), a tale that combines classic Hollywood story-telling, playful postmodern sensibility and spectacular stunts presented in rapid-fire pacing. ...read the complete Raiders of the Lost Ark movie review at EmanuelLevy.com (Emanuel Levy)

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