Word for word, scene for scene and for untrained kids that did a totally amazing job. The props were amazing also if you take it into consideration that this movie was made by kids and paid for by their allowances and Christmas and birthday presents.
This thrilling action swashbuckling adventure movie was filmed in living color on Beta Max!
The Airplane Scene was made a couple of decades later when they were about 40 and flows right into the truck scene and it's hilarious because the kids made the truck scene that follows the airplane scene early on and about 13 or 14 years old. The go from 40ish year old men back to little kids after the airplane blows up.
Some of the scenes were made pre puberty and it's funny listening to the kids talking in a squeaky little kid's voice as they battled the evil Nazis. In the truck scene when in the original Indy galloped off on a horse the kids didn't have one so Indy ran after the truck convoy on foot.
Still, as far as I could tell they didn't miss a single line or blow a single scene. They got it down to a T, all things considered.
They substituted a skiff for a biplane in the opening scene because you have to remember Spielberg could afford to rent a biplane on floats. He has almost $20 million to work with. These kids had their allowances. There was also the great monkey shortage of 1984 so they used a puppy and tied a piece of monofilament to his paw to raise it for the 'Heil Hitler' salute.
Yeah, it's a little hokey in a few places but that's to be expected. They're kids doing the best they can with what they had to work with.
Early on I found myself cheering them on, not because I wanted Indy to save the Ark but because I wanted the kids to be successful. They sure were and they belted one out of the park.
Even the credits were amusing. They thanked the hospital for patching up a broken arm and removing a plaster mask that stuck to Belloq's face. They also thanked the police department for not carting them off because when they made the alley scene someone called the police and said a group of kids were making a porno movie. (The liar should have been cited for that one.) They even thanked the owner of a 'dirt pit' which they used as a desert.
Five Stars all around.
That being said, you have to see it for what it is. If you are one of those people that can't put things into context you're going to be pissed off over spending $15.
I saw that happen 40 years ago in Kodiak when a movie advertised as not being made in a studio and made by a couple of sailors. I loved it because it was interesting. A number of people panned it because it wasn't Hollywood slick.
Personally as far as entertainment goes, it was a real deal at $15. Besides, what's not to like? Where else can you see pre puberty squeaky voiced little kids and teenagers battle Nazis and chase after the lost Ark of the Covenant? Some movie critic said it was as American as Norman Rockwell paintings running at 24 frames/ second. It really is.
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIf you like it let me know.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the advice on the Raiders video. My wife and I just watched it last night and we both agree it is the most fun we've had with movies in years! The kids did a great job, and I would not doubt that we shall be seeing their names in lights in the future. Wonderful entertainment to say the least.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it as much as I did.
ReplyDeleteMost people I mention it to don't get it and ask who wants to watch a bunch of kids.
Frankly I think there is nothing funnier than an 11 YO kid wearing oversized coke bottle glasses that are not obviously his and are probably giving him a headache just looking through them in an oversized fedora and black trench coat with a swastika armband raise his hand and say 'Heil Hitler' in a squeaky pre puberty voice.