Remembering Raiders Of The Lost Ark: The Making Of Indiana Jones
3. A Classic Is Born
Raiders
Of The Lost Ark was released on 12 June, 1981, and promptly lit the box office
on fire. Indiana Jones’s first adventure took home $348 million worldwide,
besting the likes of Superman II to become the year’s most successful film;
adjusted for inflation, it remains one of the highest-grossing movies ever
made.
Critics rightly hailed Raiders as an instant classic, praising Ford’s star-confirming turn, Spielberg’s seemingly effortless direction and the combination of action hijinks and knowing winks that make the film a joy to behold to this day.
Spielberg was reinvigorated and followed up with E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial a year later, which topped Star Wars to become the new highest-grossing film of all time. Lucas’ canny deal-making meant that his personal wealth rocketed, not that he needed the money after his gamble on Empire paid off handsomely, and he would (temporarily) conclude his space opera saga two years later.
Raiders Of The Lost Ark is regularly cited as one of modern cinema’s most significant and best movies, directly influencing the likes of Stargate, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Mummy franchise, while inspiring countless filmmakers with its irresistible, swashbuckling spirit.
Not that Indiana Jones was done; not by a long chalk.