There are several ways Steven Spielberg launch Indiana Jones ’ graphic symbol in the opening move sequence ofRaiders of the Lost Ark. The initiative is an dangerous undertaking unto itself , with a complete beginning , middle , and destruction . It ’s a mini - picture show that establishes what audiences need to love about Indiana Jones . The franchise begins with Indy ’s search for the Golden Idol before recede it to rival René Belloq , ending with an escape from a hydroplane .

Indy ’s fictitious character and its many facet are explored throughout theIndiana Jonesfranchise , not least inThe Young Indiana Jones Chroniclesas a youngster . He falls in love , gets double - crossed , and feels passionate about the case of his work . However , no sequence embodies the specific , fundamental characteristics of Indy like the scuttle fit ofRaiders of the Lost Arkdoes .

Raiders of the Lost Ark ’s opening scene has action , suspense , and even a scoundrel . More significantly , the sequence set up just who Indiana Jones is as a soul .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

6Indiana Jones Is Brave

Indiana Jones ' theatrical role changes between moviesin the enfranchisement , but his bravery is a constant . One of the first present moment the audience experience Indy is his willingness to face a scary - look statue at the source ofRaiders of the Lost Ark. It was a plenty too much for Indy ’s colleague , who then abandons the mission , but Indy approach the monument , inspect it , get a line from it , and moves on . Indiana Jones also later find a dart stuck in a tree diagram , which he nonchalantly dismisses , showing his imperturbability in the face of risk . The fact Indy embarks on this quest at all , which is clear a dangerous try , demonstrates his courageous nature .

5Indiana Jones Is Knowledgeable & Wise

Upon move into the Peruvian temple inRaiders of the Lost Ark , Indiana Jones is immediately welcome by uncertain darkness . The only thing piercing the blackness , other than the deadly secretiveness , is the shards of Inner Light jutting through the dank aura . Indy jazz to annul these fragments of light , suggesting to the hearing that he has been in this situation before and has pick up a thing or two .

Another moment later inRaiders of the Lost Arkdemonstrates Indiana Jones ’ knowledge of booby - trapped area . He stop Satipo from moving forward to the graven image since he knows something is amiss with the floor . He was correct , find that there are insidious panel on the floor , which , if ill-use on , would activate a deadly flit elicit from the wall .

4Indiana Jones Will Risk His Life For Rare Artifacts

Indiana Jones does not hesitate in risking his own life for the sake of obtain a uncommon antiquity . He is calm , cool , and collected , navigating the hobo camp on the way to the temple inRaiders of the Lost Ark , and once inside , he never once decides to double back or contemplate aborting the deputation . He make out it ’s dangerous , and indeed he very virtually dies on multiple occasion , as has probably been the case many times before in his past excursions . But he hold back risking his life , over and over again , in the name of archeology .

3Indiana Jones Has And Uses Good Instincts

Indiana Jones ’ shrewd instincts are first illustrated inRaiders of the Lost Arkby the dart he finds in the forest . Although pull up a flit out of the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree trunk and investigating what ’s on its tip does n’t needfully attest good instincts , he did , after all , see the dart and chose to scrutinize it , which record how brisk he is to his surroundings . Indy also fills a bag with grit outside the temple . At this point , it is n’t clear why he ’s doing this , but it goes to show that he has good inherent aptitude as to what likely awaits him in the temple .

InRaiders of the Lost Ark ’s synagogue , Indiana Jones senses something is on Satipo ’s back , and after Satipo release around , sure enough , Indy is right , as Satipo ’s back is enshroud in spider . Later on , as Indy approach the idol , he seek to smell how heavy it is . Grabbing his sandbag from sooner , he empties the contentedness to what he feels would be enough to replace the free weight of the idol . Although his weight judgment was improper , he was right to fundamentally decide the sandbag was too heavy , which in itself express good instincts .

2Indiana Jones Can’t Trust Anyone

DuringRaiders of the Lost Ark ’s opening sequence , Indiana Jones ’ supposed ally , Satipo , wrick against Indy as they both go to exit the tabernacle . After encountering a pit in the ground as the tabernacle proceeds to crock up , they are face with a job , and Indy entrusts Satipo with the god in interchange for his trustworthy whip . Failing to honor the deal , Satipo leave with the beau ideal . At an earlier point in the chronological sequence , another one of Indy ’s human being goes to double - cross him as he pull out a gas against him . However , due to Indy ’s impeccable instincts , he get wind the weapon getting tittup and whips it out of his foeman ’s work force .

Related : Alfred Molina ’s Raiders Of The Lost Ark Role , Explained

1Indiana Jones Is Brilliantly Humanized (& Has Phobias)

Another aspect ofRaiders of the Lost Ark ’s introductory setting is that it shows Indiana Jones is only human . He may have great instinct , but he ca n’t determine an absolute the true whether someone is crooked , just like no one else can using their instincts alone . Indiana Jones is also capture by Belloq , his rival gem huntsman , after he ungracefully tumbles out of the synagogue , once again prove he is n’t unflawed in his adventuring endeavors .

Moreover , as Indy outruns Belloq ’s men to reach the river , he clumsily swings into the water to catch up to his friend Jock ’s plane . He climb up on board as it takes off , and Jock ’s Hydra welcomes him on the escape . Startled and afraid , Indy tells his pilot friend how much he hates snakes , a feature that will act as intoRaiders of the Lost Ark ’s plot of land at a later point and a quality trait that humanizes Indiana Jones brilliantly .

concern : Why Indiana Jones Is So Afraid Of Snakes

Keanu Reeves looking over one shoulder as John Wick in Ballerina

Indiana Jones is not double-dyed , and his foe often come through at his disbursement . Even after he gets picked up by Jock on the river inRaiders of the Lost Ark ’s introduction , things are n’t smooth sailing . Jock is meddlesome fishing when Indy is get a line awkwardly call for him to start the plane . This , of course , was n’t the architectural plan , as Jock fumbles to get the plane take up . Once Indy is on board , the snake not only affirms how cumbersome and unpleasantly unglamourous this whole loser is for Indy but also acquaint one of his defining and relatable phobic neurosis , bear witness audiences that Indiana Jones is a blemished but heroical admirer .

Sidious, Tyranus, Maul, and Vader.

harrison ford indiana jones 5 raiders of the lost ark

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones looking annoyed

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones emerging from the smoke in Raiders of the Lost Ark’s opening scene.

Satipo and Indiana Jones in a temple

Alfred Molina holding Indiana Jones' whip and a golden idol

Indiana Jones scared of the cobra snake in Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones

Raiders of the Lost Ark