1. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)
An unassailable masterpiece, Raiders has done almost as much to transform the film business as Spielberg’s Jaws and Lucas’ Star Wars, and cemented Ford as a major movie star. dr Jones is hired by Shadowy to track down and stop a Nazi plot to obtain the Ark of the Covenant (which they intend to use as a weapon). Jones, always the skeptic, doesn’t believe in the mumbo-jumbo, but joins in nonetheless. Lawrence Kasdan’s highly detailed script, based on a story invented by Lucas and Philip Kaufman, gives Jones the dashing personality of a matinee hero, but also a complicated inner life full of regrets and broken relationships (like Marion Ravenwood, played by Karen Allen) . And Spielberg, reveling in the opportunity to create a new cult hero while developing a beautiful Jewish revenge mythos has never been better. Raiders of the Lost Ark is not only the highlight of the series, but also one of the most impressive. creative action movies of all time. (Incredibly, the varying quality of sequels did nothing to dull its power. Neither did the legion of off-brand imitators.) It’s a classic, and for good reason.