What we flagged
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Our take
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a globe-trotting adventure with chases, booby traps, gunfights, and a hero battling Nazis over a biblical treasure. It is more intense than its old family rating may suggest: there is a snake-filled pit and a grisly finale with melting faces and ghostly figures. Language is mild and romance is limited to a kiss. Confident tweens and older viewers are the best fit, especially if snakes and horror imagery do not trouble them.
Uplifting themes
Courage, standing up to clear evil, and pressing on against the odds run through the adventure. It is more rip-roaring fun than moral lesson, but the backbone is there Indy is brave, clever, and resourceful, though he is also a rogue who bends the rules and treats danger lightly. Marion is tough and gives as good as she gets The treasure hunt brushes past real archaeology, ancient Egypt, and biblical history, which can spark a little curiosity, even though the film plays fast and loose with the facts
Story (may spoil tone)
When Dr. Indiana Jones – the tweed-suited professor who just happens to be a celebrated archaeologist – is hired by the government to locate the legendary Ark of the Covenant, he finds himself up against the entire Nazi regime.
What we flagged
Details
Violence Indy shoots, punches, and whips his way through enemy soldiers, and the…
Indy shoots, punches, and whips his way through enemy soldiers, and the body count climbs across truck chases, brawls, and shootouts. The fighting is frequent and the danger feels real, though blood stays fairly light for the amount of action
Language Hell, damn, and b-word insults are scattered through tense scenes, with…
Hell, damn, and b-word insults are scattered through tense scenes, with one use of the s-word. The swearing is noticeable but not frequent
Sex / nudity Romance simmers between Indy and Marion, with kissing and talk of a pas…
Romance simmers between Indy and Marion, with kissing and talk of a past relationship, but nothing is shown beyond that. It stays light throughout
Drugs / alcohol There is a memorable drinking contest where a character holds her own a…
There is a memorable drinking contest where a character holds her own against grown men, along with social whiskey and period smoking. Alcohol is part of the period texture, not a running concern
Frightening A snake-filled chamber and the Ark's glowing spirits build dread. The g…
A snake-filled chamber and the Ark's glowing spirits build dread. The grotesque finale may linger with sensitive children
Gore / death / weapons Rotted bodies, a death near a propeller, and the finale's melting faces…
Rotted bodies, a death near a propeller, and the finale's melting faces are brief but grisly. These images are the main reason this adventure suits older children
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
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Talk after watching
- The film treats snakes as Indy's biggest fear. What scares you, and how do you face it?
- Indy and the Nazis both want the Ark for different reasons. Who should decide where old treasures belong?
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Raiders of the Lost Ark
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