7 Raiders of the Lost Ark Mistakes You’ll Never Be Able to Unsee

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark is undeniably an all-time adventure great, having been released in 1981 and establishing Indiana Jones as a cultural icon. Moreover, it significantly influenced the action-adventure genre. However, despite its timeless appeal, even the most renowned blockbusters are not immune to imperfections. Some observant viewers have noticed inconsistencies and peculiarities that even Indy’s whip couldn’t rectify.

Through thorough analysis within the fan community, we’ve gathered some unforgettable bloopers from the movie “Raiders of the Lost Ark” that are worth preserving in a hall of fame.

1) The Mysterious Appearing Jungle

When it happens: During the opening escape scene in South America.

As Indiana Jones frantically runs away from enraged Hovito warriors following his narrow escape from the booby-trapped temple, he speeds towards the river with haste, where his pilot, Jock, is stationed in a biplane. From Jock’s perspective, Indy appears to be running across an open, expansive terrain that could be seen clearly at a distance. However, only a short while after Indy arrives at the plane, he plows through a thick forest of trees and undergrowth so dense it would have been impossible for Jock to see him in the previous shot.

In an unexpected turn, the abrupt emergence of the tree boundary clearly suggests that the scenes were compiled from distinct filming locations. However, the giveaway becomes hard to overlook once you’ve spotted it. The jungle seemingly pops up all at once, and with it comes a moment of inadvertent humor amidst an otherwise intense escape scenario.

2) The Migrating Scar

When it happens: At Marion’s bar and later in the Nazi briefing.

In the fiery ambiance of Marion’s bar, when the malevolent Nazi operative Arnold Toht attempts to grab the Staff of Ra’s headpiece, the scorching amulet leaves an intricate burn mark on his hand instead. Startled, he inadvertently drops the fiery artifact and swiftly departs, tenderly cradling his burned fingertips.

In a later scene of the movie, Toht displays his burned hand to Nazi colleagues, but something seems unusual. The medallion’s impression on his palm is centered and positioned upside down, which contradicts the way he grabbed it earlier. Logically, if he snatched it quickly with one hand, the burn mark should have been off-center and reversed in orientation.

3) Not a Toht in Sight

When it happens: After Indy escapes with the Ark.

In an amusing twist involving Arnold Toht, he accidentally provides comic relief. Following Indy and Marion’s successful escape with the Ark, a scene shows Toht and Belloq arriving in a car, noticeably upset over losing them. However, there seems to be something peculiar about their demeanor that adds an unexpected humor to the moment.

In a closer inspection of Toht seated in the passenger side, he seems unmoving. It’s as if he overindulged the previous night and is attempting to minimize any signs of movement or exposure to light. Despite his signature black hat and coat being present, his face and neck are concealed, with his body appearing unusually still. The scene gives off an eerie impression, as if someone merely arranged his costume in the seat. In reality, Ronald Lacey, the actor who played Toht, was indisposed for the shot because of illness.

In this case, instead of the actor himself, stunt coordinator Peter Diamond took his place, hunching over in the chair while wearing the costume. However, as he remained completely motionless, it gave off an impression that they had merely adorned the seat with Toht’s distinctive attire. The final product resulted in a scene that feels more like a comical blunder than a chilling portrayal of a Nazi agent. After noticing it, you can never unsee it again.

4) Size Matters

When it happens: In the Map Room scene.

In simpler terms, the sequence known as the Staff of Ra in adventure films, like when Indiana Jones finds the Ark’s hidden location using old wisdom and perfect timing, appears impressive. But upon closer examination, the math behind it seems to not hold up well.

The inscription indicates that the staff should be six “kadams” tall, which is approximately 72 inches. However, Indy subtracts one “kadam” as a tribute to the Hebrew god, making it five kadams or 60 inches high. But when Indy stands next to the staff in the Map Room, it appears significantly taller than him; considering Harrison Ford is around 6’1″, the staff seems closer to seven feet tall. This could suggest that the ancient Egyptians may have been inconsistent with their measurements, or perhaps Spielberg intended for viewers not to calculate these dimensions.

5) The Cobra Window

When it happens: During the snake pit scene in the Well of Souls.

In one scene where Indy’s intense fear of snakes (ophidiophobia) becomes evident as he plunges into a pit swarming with wriggling reptiles, exclaiming, “Why do they always have to be snakes?” However, a brief interruption occurs that disrupts the immersive experience. As Harrison Ford’s character confronts a cobra, a reflection of the snake can be seen in a pane of safety glass, acting as a barrier between him and the live serpent. This reflection, along with a faint silhouette of the glass, is noticeable on screen for only a brief moment.

It’s understandable that they took such precautions to ensure actor safety, as it made the danger appear genuine. Even before high-definition re-releases, this was noticeable. While the remastered versions have made it easier to spot, it’s now a commonly pointed out mistake in the film. However, nobody can be criticized for prioritizing Harrison Ford’s safety, even if it slightly diminishes the magical aspect of cinema.

6) The Jeans-Wearing Tourist

When it happens: During Indy’s drink with the monkey in Cairo.

Following Marion’s apparent death in a truck blast, Indiana Jones seems dejected at a Cairo bar, surrounded by Sallah’s monkey companion while trying to forget with drinks. Though the shot primarily focuses on Harrison Ford, a mysterious figure nonchalantly wanders into view from behind Indy’s shoulder, briefly capturing attention in his casual attire of a t-shirt and jeans.

In a fleeting instant, it’s hard to catch if you look away, but that person casually strolling by in denim has long been a delightful detail for fans to spot. Was he perhaps a member of the crew unintentionally included in the shot? Maybe a tourist who happened to wander onto the set? Or possibly an extra with a costume style that seemed slightly outdated compared to the rest?

1936 indeed saw the existence of jeans and T-shirts, frequently donned by sailors and workers, yet in this carefully crafted scene set to mimic 1930s Cairo, the man’s attire appears strikingly incongruous. It’s not a blatant error, but it sticks out like a noticeable discrepancy against the film’s otherwise authentic Eastern style.

7) Left or Right Hook?

When it happens: During the fight with the bald Nazi under the airplane.

In the Indiana Jones series, the fight between Indiana Jones and the muscular, bald Nazi mechanic at the desert airfield is undeniably one of the most memorable hand-to-hand combat scenes. This scene brims with intensity, skillful fighting moves, and suspense as Indy struggles to disable the aircraft while simultaneously battling a significantly larger adversary who knocks him down with a powerful blow from the get-go.

As I watch in awe, Indy appears to trip backward and swiftly ducks beneath the aircraft. However, what unfolds next seems peculiar. The Nazi thug delivers a powerful spinning backhand that, from my perspective, should have sent Indy careening off to his left. Surprisingly, instead, Indy spins towards his right.

In a fight sequence, there might be instances where the action seems unrealistic due to coordination or editing decisions aimed at maintaining the intensity of the fight. However, once noticed, these moments can stand out awkwardly, disrupting the overall flow of realism. Despite this minor hiccup, the choreography generally remains effective, but a misaligned spin momentarily undermines the authenticity in an otherwise well-orchestrated scene.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/star-wars-return-of-the-jedi-movie-mistakes/embed/#

2025-07-16 21:20