Comments on: Structure: Raiders of the Lost Ark

By: father bradley

father bradley — Sun, 09 Nov 2025 19:54:34 +0000

In reply to Chuck. lol wut?

By: Karel FG Segers

Karel FG Segers — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 23:24:25 +0000

In reply to Mike. I distinguish acts by character action/objective. Act 1 ends when the story's main goal/action is set up, and Act 2 starts with the first action in pursuit of that goal. The principles to define the end of Act 2 are more complex, and I would like to write a more elaborate article about that.

By: Karel FG Segers

Karel FG Segers — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 23:21:31 +0000

In reply to Chuck. You're damn right, and after eleven years I've finally corrected it. However, it could be argued that at the time they were the most successful, if you measure success by audience response.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 18:38:20 +0000

“the greatest filmmakers of their generation”
Eh? You must be a cinematographically illiterate, I imagine you binging on Star Wars, Indy Joneses and Jaws, never watching anything better if you really think so. They aren’t even the greatest in USofA, you hopeless nutcase.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 21:41:12 +0000

In reply to Brendan. What would you say distinguish an act? Seems like you can define them differently... I'm writing a script right now. Does it matter if I identify three acts, five or seven?

By: Karel Segers

Karel Segers — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 22:36:51 +0000

In reply to Michael.

Thank you, Michael. Good point!
I copied the synopsis from IMDb, including errors. ;)
I’ll correct this when I have a moment.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 21:18:10 +0000

I have a small error to correct in your summary. When Indiana Jones is saved by a group of children from Belloq and the arabs in Act IIa, the arabs are not U.S. Marines.
Sallah says: “Better than the U.S. Marines, eh?” – referring to the children, who saved Indy simply by charming the arabs.

By: peter

peter — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:49:07 +0000

In reply to Brendan.

Hello Brendan

From what I read of your structure analysis, the ‘Ark’ appears to drive the narrative. While Karel’s structure analysis assumes Indiana is driving the narrative. Thanks.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:50:00 +0000

In reply to Brendan. Accidentally left in some stuff on Marion Survival Subplot above. Oh well.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:47:38 +0000

Here’s my structure analysis:

Act 1: Peruvian Jungle – Intro. Act
Act 1 Climax: Belloq takes the idol/Indy escapes

Act 2: Retrieving the Medallion
Inciting Incident: Indy chosen by government to retrieve Ark
Act 2 Climax: Medallion retrieved/Indy and Marion partners

Act 3: Nazi Plots
MS Act 1 Climax: Marion apparently killed in truck explosion
Act 3 Climax: Poisoned dates/Nazis digging in the wrong place

Act 4: Finding the Ark
MS Act 2 Climax: Marion alive/Indy leaves her tied up
Act 4 Climax: Nazis and Belloq take Ark, leave Indy and Marion to die in snake pit

Act 5: Reclaiming the Ark
Act 5 Climax: Indy steals back Ark in truck

Act 6: Losing the Ark
Act 6 Climax (Penultimate Act Climax): German sub— Nazis retake Ark and girl

Act 7: Letting the Ark Go
First Crisis Decision: Will Indy destroy the Ark? He doesn’t.
Act 7 Climax (Story Climax): Nazis/Belloq open the Ark
Second Crisis Decision: Will Indy seek the knowledge of the Ark? He resists. (“Don’t look at it.”)
Climax: Nazis and Belloq killed/Indy and Marion live

Resolution: Ark stored away in warehouse, one faceless crate among many. Indy and Marion go off to get a drink.

There are also subplots with Marion and Belloq, not included above. The Marion subplots (survival and love) start with the Act 2 Climax (when Indy burns down her bar while retrieving the medallion). The Belloq subplot begins with the Act 1 Climax (when he steals the idol). I believe all three climax at the end of the film (Final Act Climax), although one might quibble on the Marion Love one.

So yeah – all in all, I count seven acts.