20 Things You Didn't Know About Raiders Of The Lost Ark
14. Raiders Was Heavily Based On A Forgotten Charlton Heston Film
It's a well-known fact that Raiders was heavily based on the adventure serials which were popular during the 1930s-1940s. But it was the 1954 film, Secret of the Incas, which Raiders drew the most inspiration. In this film, Charlton Heston's character, an archeologist called Harry Steele, is trying to track down a treasure in Machu Picchu.
According to the costume design of Raiders, Deborah Nadoolman Landis, the crew watched Secret of the Incas several times to duplicate its style and look. This is why Indy has the same fedora, jacket, and stubble as Harry Steele. Also, both characters tip their hat onto their face when they sleep. Not only that, the scene where Indy holds the staff of Ra to discover the location of the Ark is very similar to a scene where Harry Steele uses a reflector on a map to locate the treasure. Landis said it was so clear Raiders ripped of Secret of the Incas, she was baffled Steven Spielberg and George Lucas never mentioned in it when they discussed the inspiration for the story.
Raiders may be a masterpiece but it's definitely not original!