Customer Reviews

Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Illustrated Screenplay

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This book contains the entire "script" for Raiders of the Lost Ark, though it is obviously not the original screenplay as it contains elements that were not thought of until filming had begun (e.g.-Indy shooting the Arab swordsman). It would have been nice to have the text of the shooting script to see the difference between it and the final cut, but no such luck. Still, being an Indiana Jones fan, it's nice to have it if only for reference purposes. There's an introduction by director Steven Spielberg himself that is pleasant without being revelatory, but again it is nice to have. The main draw of this book are the copious amounts of storyboards it contains. Crowding every page are drawings that show how the filmmakers had it all mapped out in their heads before cameras rolled. The storyboards are culled from various points during the production and it's interesting to see how the artists interpreted characters and locations. Particularly intriguing are Joe Johnston's special effects storyboards, which break down the complex visual wizardry of the film's arresting finale. The book itself is pleasing in appearance (if you can track down a good copy), with Richard Amsel's poster art handsomely rendered on the front and some full color storyboard examples on the back. On the whole, I would recommend this to Indiana Jones nuts as it makes a nice complement to the film.