#151) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

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#151) Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

OR “The First Indy Movie” (I am not proud of that one)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Written by Lawrence Kasdan. Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman.

Class of 1999

The Plot: 1930s archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is enlisted by the U.S. government to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant before it falls into the power-hungry hands of Nazis, aided by Indy’s rival Belloq (Jonathan Freeman). Indy’s trip to Egypt is sidetracked by a rendezvous with Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), a former flame, as well as the daughter of his old mentor. With their combined knowledge of the Ark, as well as the skill set of local digger Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), they travel from action sequence to action sequence in a mission to find the Ark.

Why It Matters: Despite a detailed plot synopsis, the NFR write-up has no justification of why “Raiders” is on the list. Whoever wrote some of these did not care for the more populist entries.

But Does It Really?: If the NFR won’t put in a good word, I will. “Raiders” is one of the rare films that completely succeeds at what it wants to be. Spielberg, Kasdan, and company made an updated version of the classic adventure film serials that doesn’t feel like a tribute, but rather like the real thing. The film is endlessly inventive, and is still as fresh and as fun as it was in 1981. Its impact on filmmaking can still be felt, and it is undeniably deserving of a place in the NFR.

Shout Outs: Indy’s truck stunt is an homage to a similar stunt in “Stagecoach”. And be on the look out for a brief reference to “Star Wars”.

Everybody Gets One: Most of the supporting cast, notably: Jonathan Freeman, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, and a young Alfred Molina in his film debut!

Seriously, Oscars?: The runaway hit of 1981, “Raiders” scored eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. But the trend of small indie darlings taking home the grand prize was just beginning, and the Academy opted for “Chariots of Fire”. “Raiders” did, however, win four competitive awards (Art Direction, Editing, Sound, & Visual Effects), as well as one special award for Sound Design. Spielberg lost Best Director to Warren Beatty for “Reds”, and John Williams’ legendary score lost to Vangelis for “Chariots of Fire”. Another iconic score for sure, but come on.

Other notes

  • How did this film not get an Original Screenplay nomination? Another count of “Seriously, Oscars?”
  • And that’s how you introduce an iconic film character!
  • My long-standing fan theory is that this entire film is Han Solo’s carbon freeze-induced fever dream. This applies to “Raiders” as well as one of the “Blade Runner” cuts. I can’t remember which.
  • The iconic boulder chase wins the award for “Best Movie Scene Based on an Uncle Scrooge Comic“
  • The establishing shot of Indy’s school was filmed at the University of Pacific in my hometown of Stockton, California. It looks like an Ivy League school, but is remarkably cheaper to film at!
  • One of the government agents is Britain’s go-to American William Hootkins, aka “Porkins”.
  • This may be the first mainstream film to turn Hitler into an archetypal film villain. The real Adolf Hitler wasn’t obsessed with the occult, but an action-adventure movie’s embodiment of evil would be!
  • What happens to Indy’s class when he goes off on his adventures? Is there a boring substitute? Or does Indy only schedule his trips around weekends and holidays?
  • Marion’s drinking game is one my favorite scenes in the film. I’m a sucker for a good one-shot sequence.
  • Shout-out to Ronald Lacey as the dreaded Gestapo agent A Peter Lorre-Type.
  • I hear you, Frank Welker as the Nazi Monkey. Those are your Abu noises!
  • This movie does not portray Egyptians well. Where’s Omar Sharif when you need him?
  • One of the film’s subtle joys is that they only give you the essential exposition, and then it’s back to another action scene. It helps the pacing tremendously.
  • The “just shoot the guy” scene is a classic for a reason. It makes me laugh out loud every time.
  • How did the Nazis know Marion’s dress and shoe size? Is that the information they tortured her to get?
  • I have no problems with snakes, but this film doesn’t help.
  • Unless I missed something, that’s the first “Wilhelm Scream” on this blog.
  • And then a Jeep veers off a giant cliff that was not geographically established earlier and seemingly comes out of nowhere. It’s the only time I laughed at the film, as opposed to with.
  • Let the record show that once the steamer ship is captured, Indy does not wear his trademark hat for the rest of the film. He wears a similar but different hat in the last scene to match the suit.
  • I know it’s coming, but the exploding heads are always a bit gruesome. Someone please invent the PG-13 rating!
  • Can we use the Freedom of Information Act to get the Ark back?

Legacy

  • For starters, this is the reason Harrison Ford stopped being known only as Han Solo.
  • Three sequels (Okay fine, two sequels and one prequel. Happy?) with another one slated for 2020, should we all live that long.
  • A TV series that amped up the more “Forrest Gump” aspects of young Indy.
  • Perhaps the most video game spin-offs of any NFR film (except for “All About Eve”, of course).
  • Countless knock-offs in the ‘80s, including a misguided attempt at turning 1880s literary character Allan Quatermain into an action hero.
  • With its exotic locales and iconic action scenes, is it any wonder “Indiana Jones” has lent itself so well to theme parks?
  • This is another one of those movies where literally every shot has been spoofed at some point.
  • Speaking of, some kids spent most of the ‘80s filming a shot-for-shot remake. It’s “Raiders” meets “Boyhood”!
  • “Raiders” was inspired in part by the “Scrooge” comics, and “Ducktales” got the go-ahead thanks to “Raiders”. Cue “Circle of Life”!
  • And finally, some loser on the internet keeps trying to make “Belloq Film” a thing. Let it go, man.

Further Viewing: Back in the late ‘00s, YouTuber Ivan Guerrero created a series of “premakes”: trailers for classic films comprised solely of clips from earlier films. His “Raiders” video pays tribute to the film’s original influences, primarily 1954’s “Secret of the Incas”. Check out his channel, they’re all great.

Wow, That’s Dated: The Horse’s Head 2017

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Long-time readers of this blog are familiar with my recurring segment “Wow, That’s Dated” in which I point out elements of a film that show its age. As we approach the end of 2017 it seems only fair that I look at my own work and acknowledge the passages that will make readers from the future say, “Wow, That’s Dated”.

And one update: My “Godfather” post refers to the Sacheen Littlefeather incident as “[t]he most awkward moment in Oscar history”. That moment has since been surpassed by this:

 

Happy New Year! We’ll be back with more movies in 2018!

#150) Steamboat Willie (1928)

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#150) Steamboat Willie (1928)

OR “Word of Mouse”

Directed & Written by Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney

Class of 1998

The Plot: Mickey Mouse (voiced by Walt Disney) is the pilot of a steamboat run by the mean-spirited Pete (also voiced by Walt Disney). Mickey spends most of this short singing and dancing with his best gal Minnie (also also voiced by Walt Disney), and tormenting every animal in sight. All of this set to the new modern miracle of synchronized sound!

Why It Matters: The NFR describes it as “the film that introduced the world to Mickey Mouse” as well as the one that “established Walt Disney as a key player in the animation industry”. There’s also a detailed essay by Disney Archives Chief Emeritus Dave Smith.

But Does It Really?: It’s certainly not the laugh riot it was back in the day, but the historical and cultural significance of “Steamboat Willie” cannot be denied. Definitely worth a viewing as a pivotal moment in film history. Plus the songs are really catchy.

Shout Outs: The film gets its title and general premise from Buster Keaton’s “Steamboat Bill Jr.”, which makes sense seeing as how no one in this short is named Willie.

Everybody Gets One: We’ll see plenty more from Walt and his crew, but this is the only NFR entry for Walt’s brother Roy. Eight years older than Walt, Roy Disney was by all accounts a loving and supportive big brother. When Roy moved to Los Angeles after World War I, he became a banker, and when Walt joined him in L.A. a few years later, the two founded the Disney Bros. Studio, with Walt focusing on the creative aspects and Roy being the finance guy. Roy was a producer on “Steamboat Willie” and many previous shorts, before Walt bought out Roy’s shares in 1929. Roy continued to serve as CEO and Co-Chairman of the Board at Disney until his death in 1971, five years after Walt.

Wow, That’s Dated: Steamboats. That’s a big one. Also, the only reason this film exists was to cash in on the new sound craze in movies.

Other notes

  • “Steamboat Willie” preceded the film “Gang War” in theaters. The short is considered culturally significant, while the film is so obscure it no longer exists.
  • In addition to co-directing and co-writing, Ub Iwerks animated nearly every frame of this film himself.
  • While not the first animated film with synchronized sound, it was the first one to be successful. As always, history is written by the winners.
  • The song Mickey is whistling at the beginning is “Steamboat Bill”. Did you know that the song has lyrics? I sure didn’t.
  • Ah yes, back when Peg Leg Pete actually looked like a cat. And no longer had a peg leg.
  • Wow, an extended tobacco chewing sequence, you don’t see that anymore.
  • What is Minnie wearing? Is that a coconut bra? Pasties? A weird shirt design?
  • Say what you will about Minnie, she is a runner. She’s practically caught up with the boat!
  • Mickey Mouse’s film debut features him recklessly swinging a cat around in the air.
  • Excellent pre-“Flintstones” use of animals for instruments. It’s a living.
  • Primitive as it may be, the animation of Mickey’s reactions is quite good. Well done, Ub. I’ll do what Walt never could and give you the credit you deserve.

Legacy

  • As previously mentioned, this put Walt Disney on the map. So let’s blame “Steamboat Willie” for that Disney nature documentary where they pushed lemmings off a cliff.
  • “Steamboat Willie” gave us Mickey Mouse as we know him. Disney is still making shorts with the Mouse, and if you’re not watching the new ones, you are missing out.
  • The mouse caught the cat. The success of “Steamboat Willie” led to Pat Sullivan trying to convert Felix the Cat to sound. The attempt was unsuccessful and all but ended the Felix shorts.
  • The famous shot of Mickey steering the boat is the current logo for Walt Disney Animation.
  • Many spoofs over the years, including several by Disney. But the best will always be “Steamboat Itchy”.
  • In addition to its artistic legacy, “Steamboat Willie” is responsible for how long films are copyrighted in this country. The latest extension on “Steamboat Willie” (good until 2023) was in 1998, the same year the short was added to the NFR. What an amazing coincidence that had nothing to do with any sort of push from Disney.

Further Viewing: One more of the new Mickey shorts. They’re just great.

#149) Rear Window (1954)

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#149) Rear Window (1954)

OR “Now, Voyeur”

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Written by John Michael Hayes. Based on the short story “It Had to Be Murder” by Cornell Woolrich.

Class of 1997

The Plot: Globetrotting photographer L.B. “Jeff” Jeffries (James Stewart) breaks his leg on assignment and is confined to a cast and wheelchair in his Greenwich Village apartment for six weeks. When not being tended to by his wisecracking nurse Stella (Thelma Ritter) or his high society girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly), Jeff spends his free time peeking at the neighbors. One day, Jeff notices that the bedridden wife of his salesman neighbor Lars (Raymond Burr) has disappeared. Everyone, including Jeff’s detective friend Lt. Doyle (Wendell Corey), believes she just went out of town, but Jeff is convinced that Lars killed his wife and disposed of the body. Can he prove it without ever leaving his apartment?

Why It Matters: The NFR praises the film’s direction and screenplay, and an essay by National Film Preservation Board founding member John Belton examines the film’s voyeuristic theme.

But Does It Really?: The plot of “Rear Window” is deceivingly simple, but the execution is exquisitely complex and endlessly rewarding. This is the movie that allowed Hitch to be the pure voyeur we always suspected he was. Hitch takes the premise of spying on your neighbors and makes us feel like we are right alongside Jeff, watching this all unfold. The cast is excellent, but the real stars are Hitchcock’s meticulous direction and an equally methodical screenplay by John Michael Hayes. Easily one of the best Hitchcock films.

Everybody Gets One: Screenwriter John Michael Hayes, as well as actor/future Academy President Wendell Corey. And special mention to Irene Winston as Mrs. Thornwald, aka “The vic”.

Wow, That’s Dated: Flashbulbs, phone books, and incredibly antiquated gender politics. Plus, this is back when songs like “Mona Lisa” and “That’s Amore” were Top 40 hits! If this were made today, the party would be singing along to that “Despacito” song you kids like nowadays.

Title Track: Lisa mentions “rear window ethics” about 80 minutes in. Grace Kelly immediately follows this up by tripping over her next line. I guess the pressure of saying the title was too much for her. No wonder she quit acting.

Seriously, Oscars?: “Rear Window” received four Oscar nominations: Cinematography, Sound, Adapted Screenplay, and Director. It lost in all four categories, ironically in two of these cases to another James Stewart movie (“The Glenn Miller Story”) and another Grace Kelly movie (“The Country Girl”). The film was not nominated for its massive replica Greenwich Village set, nor for Best Picture.

Other notes

  • That’s quite a jazzy intro for a murder mystery film.
  • How the set team didn’t get an Oscar nomination is just criminal. It really is an impressive undertaking.
  • That’s Gig Young as the voice of Jeff’s editor. He provides some surprisingly clunky exposition over the phone.
  • There is a 21-year age gap between James Stewart and Grace Kelly. That’s a pretty high number on what I’m now calling the “Michael Douglas Scale”. Plus it adds to my theory that Jeff was written to be a younger man.
  • Miss Lonelyhearts seems to be having dinner with Jeff’s friend Harvey.
  • A quick question for Jeff: What the hell is wrong with you? You’ve got a 25-year-old cosmopolitan intellect throwing herself at you, and you have commitment issues? Put a ring on it, you dumb bastard!
  • Hi, Hitch. Hitchcock’s cameo is about 26 minutes in; he shares the screen with the songwriter played by Ross Bagdasarian, who just finished composing his big Christmas song.
  • “I’m not stubborn, I’m just truthful.” I feel you, Jeff.
  • Giant telephoto lens courtesy of Austin Powers.
  • Everyone’s good in this, but Thelma Ritter is the MVP.
  • This is the point in films when Jimmy Stewart started to become a stammering parody of himself.
  • How much easier would Lisa sneaking over to the Thorwald apartment have been if they all had cell phones? Hell, throw in security cameras and this whole movie could have been over in 20 minutes.
  • I’ve seen this film several times, but the shot where Lars finally figures out what’s going on always gives me the chills. They didn’t call Hitch “The Master of Suspense” for nothing.
  • Boy, I hope Lars has a good criminal defense lawyer.

Legacy

  • A few remakes, most notably the 1998 version with Christopher Reeve, drawing on his real-life paralysis for inspiration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ci9kHiXVLg

  • Because when I think modern day Jimmy Stewart, I think Shia LaBeouf. P.S.: The owners of the original short story tried to sue “Disturbia” for plagiarism, but the court ruled in favor of the film, saying there was no obvious infringement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRynKP8hns4

  • They keep threatening us with a stage adaptation, but I’ve yet to see one make it to Broadway.
  • “Grace, come here! There’s a sinister looking kid I want you to see!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC-koe0jbxY&t=34s

Further Viewing: A video by Jeff Desom is the entire film of “Rear Window” boiled down to a three-minute time-lapse. It is quite an impressive feat of editing.

#148) The Deer Hunter (1978)

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#148) The Deer Hunter (1978)

OR “The Best Fucking Years of Our Fucking Lives”

Directed by Michael Cimino

Written by Deric Washburn. Story by Cimino & Washburn and Louis Garfinkle & Quinn K. Redeker (According to the WGA. Accounts vary.)

Class of 1996

The Plot: Lifelong friends Mike, Nick, and Steven (Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, and John Savage) are sent to fight in the Vietnam War shortly after Steven’s wedding. Their experience fighting in the war and being tortured in a POW camp changes them forever. Mike’s return home is complicated by his inability to readjust to his previous life, his feelings for Nick’s girlfriend Linda (Meryl Streep), and the mysterious whereabouts of Nick.

Why It Matters: The NFR praises Cimino and the cast, calling the film an “astonishing epic” despite its “historical inaccuracy”.

But Does It Really?: Well that was thoroughly depressing. Seriously, I was in a major funk for several hours after watching “The Deer Hunter”. Don’t get me wrong, the film is well made and everyone is great, but what a difficult film to get through. Obviously any film about the Vietnam War is going to be tough to watch, but this one is especially distressing. Compared to “Apocalypse Now”, this film is less a cinematic experience and more an attempt at reportage. “The Deer Hunter” is being preserved here for a reason (if for nothing else, its cultural impact), but I don’t need to watch it again anytime soon.

Everybody Gets One: Details of Michael Cimino’s early life are still up for debate, but what we do know is that he started off as a screenwriter and commercial director. It was Clint Eastwood who gave Cimino his big break by buying his screenplay “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot” and allowing Cimino to direct the film.

Seriously, Oscars?: Universal knew they had a critical success and a potential Oscar winner in “The Deer Hunter”, but they weren’t sure it could score at the box office. The film was screened for legendary producer Allan Carr, who hatched a plan: give the film a limited release in December to qualify for the Oscars, launch a major awards campaign consisting of parties and word of mouth, and then send the film into wide release after the Oscars. The plan worked, “The Deer Hunter” won five Oscars (including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Christopher Walken), and subsequently became one of the top box office earners of 1979. This practice of limited release for Oscar bait became the norm following “The Deer Hunter”, and still is.

Other notes

  • The film’s main theme “Cavatina” was originally composed for 1970’s “The Walking Stick”. The version heard throughout “The Deer Hunter” is performed by guitarist John Williams. (No, not that one. Or that one.)
  • How much do you want to bet De Niro did his own welding?
  • Walken manages to sneak in some singing and dancing, most notably to the song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. Do you think Nick knew Gyp DeCarlo?
  • Just a reminder that at one point Meryl Streep was a one-time Oscar loser, like Linda Blair or Carol Channing.
  • Young John Savage looks like Young Jon Voight.
  • Oh my god, this wedding scene goes on forever. I’m convinced it’s filmed in real-time.
  • This movie has some real issues with women. Look no further than the wine-drinking scene: Who spills it, thereby cursing everyone?
  • I respect John not being able to go to Vietnam because of his bad knees. At least it’s not bone spurs.
  • Welp, I have now seen all of Robert De Niro. I can never un-see that.
  • Coincidentally, John Wayne (who gets name-dropped in the hunting scene) presented Best Picture to “The Deer Hunter”. This is extra ironic considering he was staunchly pro-Vietnam War (hence “The Green Berets”).
  • This was one of the first films about the Vietnam War to film in Thailand. The fist Russian roulette scene was filmed on location on the River Kwai.
  • Watching a classic film in HD is always great, but a good transfer makes this film’s use of stock footage really stick out.
  • Oh no these Russian roulette scenes are really hard to watch.
  • Yeah, the Vietnamese do not come off well at all. Which is disappointing considering we Americans weren’t exactly the cavalry either.
  • Meryl Streep only has two films on the Registry: this and 1979’s “Manhattan”. Both are from early in her film career and feature her in supporting roles. For being one of the world’s great leading ladies, you’d think more of her work would be preserved.
  • I’m sure it was a simple practical effect, but I legitimately had to look up if John Savage lost his legs or not.
  • There’s a “Miss Saigon” joke somewhere in all of this, but I’m too emotionally exhausted from this film to think of one.
  • Christopher Walken earned the hell out of his Oscar.

Legacy

  • Michael Cimino followed-up “The Deer Hunter” by writing and directing another epic: “Heaven’s Gate”. Running overlong and over budget, the film was a total flop and ended Cimino’s career. “Heaven’s Gate” was so bad it made some critics reevaluate their praise of “The Deer Hunter”.
  • This film (along with Oscar rival “Coming Home”) paved the way for Hollywood revisiting the Vietnam War for the next 20 years.
  • While “The Deer Hunter” is cited for popularizing Russian roulette (and related deaths), it also inspired Jan Scruggs to create the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. So some good came from all of this.
  • Italian filmmaker Antonio Margheriti made an unofficial sequel in 1980 with “The Last Hunter”. It’s the sequel no one asked for!
  • This is the movie that gave us Christopher Walken, and everything that comes with it.

Further Viewing: Sadly, “The Deer Hunter” was John Cazale’s fifth and final film. He died of lung cancer shortly after filming wrapped. His brief but impressive legacy is celebrated in the 2009 HBO Documentary “I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale”.