The best of its kind

Rating: 9/10 (19 February 2005)

Spielberg's homage to mid-century serial actioners comes off flawlessly, marred only by the characteristic excessive Spielberg gore. Ford is a whip-toting archaeology professor not afraid to leave the classroom in search of artifacts. The Feds talk him into going for the Ark of the Covenant just when the Nazis are headed in the same direction. When the twain meet Ford is short on firepower but long on chutzpah and guile. A spunky Allen comes along for the ride as a once and possibly future romantic interest. Loads of action, top-notch production values, a fair share of comic relief, and very good supporting cast including Freeman as unscrupulous rival and Rhys-Davies as helpful Arab. At the time this seemed like the first of a new breed of movie, looking back this one stands alone as the only one that really worked. Followed by the unwatchable Temple of Doom and the cult classic Lost Crusade (a cult I haven't joined).