10 Deleted Scenes Which Solve Baffling Movie Mysteries

6. How Did Indy Know Not To Look At The Ark? - Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Paramount Picture

The Mystery:

Steven Spielberg's action-adventure classic memorably concludes with the Nazis opening the Ark of the Covenant, after which they get their face-melting comeuppance while Indy (Harrison Ford) and Marion (Karen Allen) are spared.

This is because, at Indy's behest, they keep their eyes closed and never physically see the Ark in action. So, uh, how did Indy know to keep his eyes closed?

The Deleted Scene:

Though there are a few mild hints throughout the film which Indy may have picked up on - namely drawings of men carrying the Ark while blindfolded - a deleted scene flat-out explains this to Indy (and the audience)

His pal Imam (Tutte Lemkow) explains that touching the Ark or looking at it while opened will result in instant death. Sadly the scene has never been officially released, but a few rare snaps have been unearthed on social media in recent times:

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.