Truly great movies can leave indelible marks. It may be through an emotional connection to the story. It may be through a remarkable performance or a signature scene. But it could also be through the brilliant imagery that a film can carve into your mind. That’s what this feature is all about – highlighting great images from great movies. Today we look at a Steven Spielberg’s 80’s action classic and one of my personal all-time favorites.
Keith & the Movies 
Backlit Sunset is great composition.
Its funny you single out that shot. It’s one of my all-time favorites!
Yep got to go with the sunset. Great fun movie, I liked that one best.
I grew up with these movies and love them dearly (minus Crystal Skull). But this one is my favorite as well. Sooooo good. I remember seeing it in the theater as a kid. I came out wanting to be Indiana Jones!!!
Indiana Jones has always delivered exquisite entertainment from an age of master filmmakers. Today films are all about guts, braun, stunts and cgi… or sex. There is little atmosphere or character, people don’t act anymore, they just pretend. But here is a timeless classic. If you don’t see the quality then you’re looking too closely at the pixels. Sit back and forget about the size of your screen. I only own a 7″ DVD player, but I’d rather watch this on it than anything made post millennium. Um, bar a couple of space adventures lol.
YES! And you know it’s a truly great film because it stands the test of time. I saw it in the theater as a kid and I still get the same joy out of it now. So many great scenes, great images, and great lines. Love it!
Face-melting Nazis never gets old 😉
You are so right. Talk about a movie that gives Nazis what they truly deserve!!!
One of the best films ever. I always enjoyed that scene of that one guy with the sword trying to challenge Indy to a fight to the death as Indy is like “Seriously, you’re going to kill me with a sword w/ all of that shit?” and he shoots the guy dead. Never show off, just kill the guy and get it over with.
It’s so good and never grows old. The charisma Ford brings to the screen is unmatched. He was made to play Indy!
And no one else should play Indy. And let’s pretend that the 4th film never existed.
Amen and Amen!!!
This movie never gets old! One of the images that keeps coming to mind (for me) is Indy trying to replace the idol with the sack. But, I love just about every second of Raiders, so every shot is genius!
I love that one too. You can see how nervous he is. I love how he hesitates for a second and pushes hit hat back.
And then flunks it! Such a great opening.
Yep. But he thinks for a second that he nailed it. That little smile of accomplishment. But then…
The grinding of a pedestal lowering…
I’ve also always loved the scene where Marion is almost tortured at her establishment. So tense! So fun!
Yep. Toht was such a good villain.
Steven Spielberg apparently wanted him to be a cyborg with a mechanical arm, and a red light for one of his eyes. But Lucas talked him out of it due to the unrealisticness of putting that in the 1930s.
Man! I still need to watch this movie! I only watched Temple of Doom so far!
Really??? Oh my goodness, you absolutely should give it a look! I can’t recommend it enough.
Cool!
Don’t worry – I hadn’t even heard of Indiana Jones until some time last year and watched the movies shortly afterwards (though I haven’t seen Temple of Doom, but have seen all the rest and love them).
I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award.
https://jmshistorycorner.wordpress.com/2019/08/07/sunshine-blogger-award-3/
Thanks so much.
You’re welcome.
You have a still image from maybe my favorite little sequence, where he’s running alone through that field for a few seconds, then the group of natives comes up over the hill. I always thought that was pretty clever.
Ever see The Big Bang Theory joke on this movie? It’s on YouTube, but I think I won’t link to it.
YES! I know that scene so well. “Jacques! Jacques! Start the plane Jacques!”. Sooo good.
Haven’t seen the BBT spoof though. I gotta look it up though.
The big bang thing was something of a knock on the movie, it was funny, but might alter your view of the movie, so there’s the caveat before you look it up. It is funny though…
Hmmm, now you have me even more curious and slightly more timid. Intriguing.
I love this movie (believe it or not, it actually took me two or three times watching this to fully ‘warm up’ it) and the image that sticks to me the most is the scene when he’s about to swap the idol with the bag of dust.
Really? What was it about it that you didn’t care for?
I can be a bit of a purist when it comes to movies based on the Bible or historical events, or movies about real life people’s story, so when I saw how utterly biblically inaccurate it was, I didn’t like it. But then I realized that it’s not meant to be accurate, just a lot of good childish fun, I accepted it and now love it! (But as a result of not liking it at first, “The Last Crusade” has always been my personal favourite with “Kingdom of the Cyrstal Skull” a close competitor).
That’s exactly right. Far from Biblically accurate and much more of a make-believe adventure. Interesting to hear you like Crystal Skull better. That’s the only one I’m not a fan of.
What??!! How could you not like it?! (LOL)
Love this movie. Just never gets old.