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July 13, 2025

30 Amazing Photos of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones on the Set of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)

Raiders of the Lost Ark is a 1981 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Lawrence Kasdan, based on a story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. Set in 1936, the film stars Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, a globetrotting archaeologist vying with Nazi German forces to recover the long-lost Ark of the Covenant which is said to make an army invincible. Teaming up with his tough former romantic interest Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Jones races to stop rival archaeologist René Belloq (Paul Freeman) from guiding the Nazis to the Ark and its power.

The film was born from a conversation between Lucas (who had the idea for an adventure hero reminiscent of old movie serials) and Spielberg (who wanted to direct a James Bond-style film). To keep the ambitious film on schedule and within its $20 million budget (considered modest for such a production at the time), Spielberg meticulously storyboarded almost every scene, even dialogue sequences, relying on multiple artists. This allowed for quick and efficient shooting.

Raiders of the Lost Ark is renowned not just for its thrilling on-screen adventure, but also for the equally adventurous and challenging behind the scenes stories that shaped its production. Ford’s commitment to the role and the practical effects used contributed significantly to its enduring appeal. He was famously keen to perform as many of his own stunts as possible, which added immense realism to the action sequences.

The iconic scene where Indy is dragged beneath a moving truck was largely performed by Ford himself, resulting in bruised ribs. The truck was specially modified to allow clearance, and the road center was even dug out for safety. Ford also performed the famous boulder chase scene multiple times for different camera angles. Steven Spielberg later admitted it was foolish to let Ford do it, given the fiberglass, plaster, and wood boulder was heavy and dangerous.

During the intense fight scene around the propeller of the German “Flying Wing” plane, one of the plane’s wheels rolled onto Ford’s knee, tearing his ACL. Despite the injury and a widespread dysentery outbreak affecting the crew, Ford famously “wrapped it up and put ice on it and carried on” due to a shortage of available stunt performers.

One of the most famous improvised moments in film history happened when Indy simply shoots the elaborate swordsman in Cairo. The original script called for a lengthy whip fight. However, Harrison Ford, like much of the cast and crew, was suffering from dysentery during filming in Tunisia. Feeling unwell and wanting to expedite the shot, Ford suggested, “Why don’t I just shoot the son of a bitch?” Spielberg loved the idea, and cinematic gold was made.

Raiders of the Lost Ark was met with widespread critical acclaim upon its release. Critics lauded its thrilling action sequences, witty dialogue, charismatic performances (especially Harrison Ford’s), and the seamless blend of adventure, humor, and suspense. It was praised for harkening back to the classic adventure serials of the 1930s and 1940s while elevating the genre with modern filmmaking techniques. Roger Ebert famously called it “a film that works as a reminder of what the movies are for.”

The film received nine Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Score. It won four Oscars: Best Art Direction, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects, along with a Special Achievement Academy Award for Sound Effects Editing.

Raiders of the Lost Ark was a massive commercial success. With a budget of approximately $18-20 million, it grossed over $212 million domestically, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1981. Its worldwide box office total reached over $380 million, making it one of the most profitable films of its time and firmly establishing the Indiana Jones franchise as a global phenomenon. It has continued to be popular through re-releases and home video, solidifying its place as a timeless classic.






























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