Film Analysis: Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Raiders of the Lost Ark Analysis We have all heard of Indiana Jones. He is one of Spielberg’s most renowned characters. Raiders of the Lost Ark is what started the legacy of Indiana Jones. In this analysis of Raiders of the Lost Ark, motifs and parallels and other film elements will be made note of. Parallels are very prominent in this film. One parallel occurs when in two separate scenes, one scene with Indiana Jones and the other with Major Arnold Toht, with these men both coming to Marion’s bar. They both ask her about the medallion and she lies to both saying that she does not. The movie also creates a parallel between Indiana Jones and the Nazis as they both use the staves to lift the ark. Raiders of the Lost Ark not only has many motifs throughout it but it has a few very renowned motifs. One very popular motif is Indiana Jones’ hat. Most people recognize Indiana Jones by his hat because of its repetition throughout the film. In many scenes, including the scene with the fight at Marion’s bar and the scene during the sunset with Indiana Jones and the other workers digging, the lighting makes his hat very prominent. Another major motif throughout the film is Indiana Jones’ theme song, The Raider’s March, playing whenever he does something heroically significant. The movie began with Indiana Jones searching for an ancient temple, which held a unique artifact of great

It’s so highly referenced that it is in the title of the movie. Another historical reference is the German Nazis. A German Nazi was part of a very prominent organization during the 1900s. In conclusion, Raiders of the Lost Ark is a masterly put together work of art. It is clear to see why this film led to the trilogy of Indiana Jones and proves to be a perfect candidate for a film analysis