Indiana Jones fans are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first installment of the popular movie series. As of now, Harrison Ford is on set for Indiana Jones 5, the movie that will likely serve as the final adventure for his incarnation of the character. It all began with Indy’s first theatrical venture on June 12, 1981, when Raiders of the Lost Ark premiered in U.S. theaters.
Directed by Steven Spielberg, Raiders of the Lost Ark was written by Lawrence Kasdan based on a story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. Set in 1936, it follows Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, an archaeologist on a quest to recover the long-lost Ark of the Covenant. With the help of Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy must retrieve the relic before rival archaeologist Dr. René Belloq (Paul Freeman) can guide Nazi German forces to it first.
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After its release, Raiders of the Lost Ark has been established as one of the very best movies ever made. Its success would spawn three sequels – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) – and a variety of comics, novels, and video games. A prequel TV series, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, aired on ABC in the early 90s.
Last year, Steven Spielberg stepped down as the director of Indiana Jones 5 after helming all four previous movies. He will remain on board as a hands-on producer. James Mangold (Logan) has since been brought in to direct, and he also co-wrote the screenplay with Jez and John-Henry Butterworth. Filming on the sequel began this month with plans to release Indiana Jones 5 next summer.
Looking back to where it all began, many fans are now paying tribute to Raiders of the Lost Ark. Gary K’s Film & TV tweeted, “Raiders of the Lost Ark(1981) Steven Spielberg & George Lucas’ tribute to the adventures serials of old cinema. With many memorable set pieces, a peppering of humour and one of John Williams’ greatest scores, it’s a brilliant thrill ride of a movie!”
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981)
Steven Spielberg & George Lucas’ tribute to the adventures serials of old cinema. With many memorable set pieces, a peppering of humour and one of John Williams’ greatest scores, it’s a brilliant thrill ride of a movie! #IndianaJones#filmpic.twitter.com/jKz9zrVIoN
— Gary K’s Film & TV ???????????? (@Gallifrey_GaryK) June 5, 2021
Looking for some quotes from the iconic movie, another fan tweeted an image of the poster and wrote, “Raiders of the Lost Ark turns 40 today and in honor of the awesomeness that is Indy, Marion, Marcus, and Sallah, what’s your favorite line from the movie? Mine’s ‘It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.'”
Raiders of the Lost Ark turns 40 today and in honor of the awesomeness that is Indy, Marion, Marcus, and Sallah, what’s your favorite line from the movie? Mine’s “It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.” pic.twitter.com/iJrwO2hMX6
— James Ponti (@JamesPonti) June 12, 2021
“My all time favorite movie turns 40 today,” says someone else. “Normally I’d say something like ‘that makes me feel old’ but honestly, anytime I watch Raiders of the Lost Ark I get a bit of my youth back. I know what I’ll be watching tonight.”
My all time favorite movie turns 40 today. Normally I’d say something like “that makes me feel old” but honestly, anytime I watch Raiders of the Lost Ark I get a bit of my youth back. I know what I’ll be watching tonight. pic.twitter.com/zj4rzPCAeb
— Matt Rupert (@scooterpie55) June 12, 2021
And another fan tweeted: “Hard to imagine that 40 years ago Raiders of the Lost Ark was released in theaters. I can still remember when I was 8 years old doing chores to earn money to go see this. My mom dropped me off at the movies and I was amazed. Love this franchise.”
.Hard to imagine that 40 years ago Raiders of the Lost Ark was released in theaters. I can still remember when I was 8 years old doing chores to earn money to go see this. My mom dropped me off at the movies and I was amazed. Love this franchise. pic.twitter.com/YUtWrG6gQg
— Steve (@Americanjedi42) June 12, 2021
Indiana Jones 5 is scheduled to be released on July 29, 2022. To go back to where it all began, you can watch Raiders of the Lost Ark 40 years after its premiere by streaming it on Paramount+. You can also see what other fans are saying about the 40th anniversary on Twitter.
Raiders of the Lost Ark was one of my first spiritual experiences. Released on this day 40 years ago, I wound up seeing it on the big screen 12 times in summer 1981. Time was marked by earning $1.25 mowing lawns, collecting cans for a ticket to see #Raiders again #IndianaJones
— Joseph Rose (@josephjrose) June 12, 2021
Raiders of the Lost Ark is 40 today!
It’s my been favourite movie since I saw it aged 8.
Other films may have deeper morals or better characterisation but nothing beats Raiders sheer fun.
The film sparked my interest in storytelling, film making and mythology in one fell swoop. pic.twitter.com/v8njlpGYwg
— Christopher Piper (@miiyouandmii2) June 12, 2021
Happy 40th to the original… the absolute BEST Indiana Jones film… Raiders of the Lost Ark!
Not only has it aged incredibly well, it still stands out as one of the all-time best adventure flicks ever made.
I love the whole trilogy. (Yes… TRILOGY) pic.twitter.com/iXt3FvXlVi
— DragonRift ???? (@DragonRift) June 12, 2021
Happy 40th anniversary to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and Indiana Jones! A truly iconic masterpiece. Indiana Jones’ importance in my childhood is monumental. #IndianaJones#RaidersoftheLostArk#80s#StevenSpielbergpic.twitter.com/embfhtYgiq
— Barry (@Barrybgb) June 12, 2021
Happy 40th to the movie that made my imagination soar and made me fall in love with film, Raiders of the Lost Ark 
#IndianaJones#MyChildhoodHeropic.twitter.com/5QKHliJo2a
— Erin ????????️???? (@P_ControlPascal) June 12, 2021
June 1981 was an exceptionally good month for movies releases, maybe the best ever. Released 40 years ago today, the greatest movie of all time (don’t try and convince us otherwise, you’d be wrong), “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. #80s#80smovie#boomtownpodcastpic.twitter.com/3bXVoAcJmi
— Welcome to Boomtown (@boomtownpodcast) June 12, 2021
Don’t forget to take the time to wish Raiders of the Lost Ark a happy 40th birthday. Happy 40th birthday Raiders of the Lost Ark!
— Austin Torres (@AustinMTorres) June 12, 2021
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