RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK 4K UHD REVIEW + SUPER 8 FEATURE

Just about perfect sums up this 4K UHD Blu-ray disc from Paramount. In a few respects, it's too good and some of the inadequacies of the optical composite special effects are shown up as well as the few continuity errors that all films have. The continuity errors were never obvious to me before when watching the Super 8 'Scope feature of Raiders but they are somehow unmissable with the image quality on display from the 4K.
My opinion of Raiders of the Lost Ark is that it is one of the greatest films ever made. I've resisted purchasing the 4K up to this point because I know the film so well having had that very special and rare Super 8 feature print since 1994. I can't even recall the two 35mm prints looking anywhere near as pristine as this 4K so it really is impressive. The sound is not exactly how I know it but without having access to a 70mm blow-up with six track magnetic sound it's impossible to know if it always sounded like this when first shown in premiere house cinemas. I think it sounds fabulous so it's rather academic as far as I'm concerned.
Image aspect ratio is 2.40:1 approximately, sound is Dolby Atmos and the running time is 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Glimpses of the Super 8 'Scope feature are for illustrative purposes only.

A few advices and corrections have come in through the comments section. Michael Ford and Steve Rowley have told us that the 70mm prints of Raiders were the conventional six track arrangement with Michael explaining thus, "Raiders 70mm was Left, Centre, Right screen channels and Mono surround, with low frequency on inner left and right screen channels."

Apparently some image noise reduction was used for this Raiders 4K which is not a surprise given how fine grain its appearance is. Some optical effects were re-done in a computer to make them as seamless as possible. The jeep over the cliff sequence apparently was not re-worked but it does not look the same as it does on the Super 8 print which could be down to the clarity on this 4K being so well defined. The stop-motion look it has always had been was not as apparent, if at all.

[HRilho]

I want to say this out loud: the fact that you have an overall view of how these movies have evolved in the physical media realm makes your channel an absolute quality reference. Thank you very much for your hard work!

[mac]

Saw Raiders when I was 15 in its original release and will never forget that experience, even though the screen wasn't huge and the sound only mono. A few weeks later I saw it on a much larger and brighter Dolby equipped screen, and I was blown away! It's officially confirmed as one of the greatest action adventures ever produced. My 4K copy looks amazing on my 115" 2.35: 1 projection screen, but agreed a little TOO clean. Still, very happy with it! Great job, as always, John!

[marksargent]

Years ago I loved going to my local cinema. Its a shame that the magic of the cinema has long gone I miss the 70s 80s film era truly one of the best times to get your self down to see some truly grate movies

[flynnnrg]

I just finished setting up our home cinema and this video just reminded me that we need to watch this one on the big screen.

[luvofmovies]

Raiders of The lost Ark. is my second Favorite of all time Jaws being my Favorite. I love the Adventure like you said and the practical effects with the early visual effects. They don’t make movies like these anymore. Newer movies now are so overblown with visual effects. The older I get the more I love the older films that had True movie magic . Thanks for the review 📽🎞️🍿

[deanwalker]

I saw Raiders 27 times at the cinema in the summer of 1981 when I was 13. My love for film had begun.

[ericreese]

This was the first non-kids movie I was allowed to watch (one of my dad’s favorites) on VHS when I was a kid, even before Star Wars! I loved the music and the action, just like everyone who has seen it. The only rule was, when Indy says “close your eyes…”, I had to close my eyes until he said I could look again. Now I watch this with my kids and they laugh at the effects during that scene. :-) Times have changed, but this great movie is still a wonderful piece of entertainment. Cheers!

[SplinkProductions]

Greatest Action Adventure film of all time.
I also have the 400’ Marketing Super-8. I remember waiting what seemed like an eternity waiting for that to arrive.
Surely the best of times.

[jasonthomas]

I remember watching Raiders at our local fleapit during its rerelease in 1982, a mere two days before watching Fox's Star Wars/The Empire Strikes Back double bill. What a golden era for cinema. In April this year, we watched a five day-long Indiana Jones season at our local VUE, and were amazed by the cross reference of ages attending our whip cracking hero's adventures even today. These movies will deservedly live forever. In late 1993, whilst in college, a group of us went to watch the then entire trilogy at our local multiplex. During the drive home, the news broke that River Phoenix had died. A supreme talent, taken too soon.

[CoinOpTV]

Classic flick - I have this 4K - need to pop it on one of these days!

[murray]

One of my favourite films. I have the 4k box set.
I remember when it first came out to buy on VHS. It was priced at my local HMV at £84. A small fortune in those days. How times have changed.
Love your channel and all your detailed reviews, keep up the good work.

[dalekslookgood]

thanks John for another wonderful review. I saw Raiders, not in 1981 but a while later at my 'highschool' screening in The Netherlands in a large PE hall on a big pj screen in a packed hall. It was pure magic. Maybe not perfect sound and vision, but, what a wonderful cinema experience it was. I loved the 'scary'scenes at the end, I had heard about.

[Grant-il]

I agree with you 100% on Raiders, best adventure film of all time, it was love at first sight for me. Envious of your home set-up, you're one lucky man!

[andrewattenboroughtwothumb]

One of my favourite movies glad I watched it recently on a projector and love it in 4K

[ManCave]

What a great movie, every single scene is iconic and the pacing is exemplary. I have watched it so many times on scan and pan VHS that when I then first watched it in HD, it was a revelation. Thanks as ever John, your work is always appreciated.

[Juanjo-oior]

Raiders is the film of a lifetime for many of us, a gem, a masterpiece we can revisited again and again because it's like go back home and feel great.
The 4K release is superb, a true gift.
Once again watch your videos is funny and always I learn something.
Thank you very much. John.

[edwarddore]

Love your enthusiasm over the movie and your memorabilia. I saw the first 3 in the theater originally and when they were rereleased. I also have the 4K steelbooks of the first 3, I never thought about them looking too good, but you have point.

[cameralabs]

Completely agree. A friend recently asked me what my top 3 Spielberg movies were, and Raiders was number one. It's so good. Would love to see it at the cinema again. (PS - two and three were Jaws and a tie between Jurassic Park and Close Encounters, although I do love his more serious work too)

[johnadair]

As always perfect presentation John, my favourite action movie as well.

[hblanche]

"Who hasn't seen Raiders?" That line earned you a chuckle. Not surprisingly, this one of my favorite movies.