Raiding The Lost Ark - Jamie Benning
Labor of love by Jamie Benning and must see for Indiana Jones fans. Imaginative blending of Raiders real-time footage with interviews from numerous sources, as well as pop up comments and screen comparisons. Storyboards, outtakes, as well as home movies used. The documentary is dense with information and may necessitate multiple viewings. The edit itself is incredibly well executed, it feels seamless.
Currently available on Vimeo (as of 2020 06) in several resolutions and I would urge the viewer to seek the highest level possible. Image quality is all over the scale, depending on source materials. Outtakes are often fuzzy, production or home movies are passable. Editing is skillful throughout, and there is strict adherence to chronological sequence.
No subs, though there are fact pop ups during the entire doc. Preference given to voiceovers. Quality varies, though everyone is comprehensible. Possible exception being Harrison Ford, especially the later interviews. His voice does not always seem properly miked or he mumbles. Not a major issue.
Generous wealth of details, untold stories, missing scenes to thrill all fans. Two lost details come to mind:
- Early on, after Dr. René Belloq gets the gold fertility statue, the Hovitos take it away from him.
- When Indy and Sallah consult the imam, he warns them not to touch the actual ark, nor to open their eyes if it is opened.
Truly a wonderful companion to your DVD.