Long before Quentin Tarantino broke in to the scene and drove the world crazy with his comic book sensibilities and people would start celebrating the idea of paying cinematic tribute on screen while keeping the tongue in the cheek, Raiders of the Lost Ark did it successfully.

A brainchild of two of the biggest names of new Hollywood, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and the first installment of the Indiana Jones Franchise, the film is an ultimate summit in terms of cinematic imagination. The plot is relatively a simple one which follows the adventures (or misadventures) of a young American archeologist called Dr. Indiana Jones who apparently specializes in artifacts of mythic and quasi historical dimensions. This film follows Jones from South America to Middle East to Tibet to Western Europe and finally the US in search of Ark of the Covenant before Nazis can lay their hands upon it.

Despite the apparent simplicity of the plot, the film turns into an experience of a lifetime because of its treatment including intelligent direction of a smart and lucid script with some great one liner. Harrison Ford, fresh from his Star Wars success effectively sheds off the Han Solo remnants and plays the title role with a great flair and efficiently supported by the remaining cast members. Though the film scores quite well in editing, photography and music, the best part of the entire film is its conscious effort to avoid any serious nature making it a classic modern day swashbuckling adventure epic.