The Nazis are also searching for Indy’s former mentor, Abner Ravenwood, an expert on the Ark and collector of related artifacts. At the Army’s request, Indy seeks out Ravenwood in Nepal, but learns of his death from his daughter Marion, now a barkeeper, whose heart Indy broke years ago. Indy offers money for a medallion that will help find the Ark. She agrees, but tells him to come back tomorrow when she will have it, even though she is wearing it. Moments later, a Nazi agent and his henchmen come seeking the medallion as well, but they refuse to wait. Before they can take it from her, Indy returns. A battle ensues and Marion’s bar catches fire. During the exchange, the Nazi agent sees the medallion on the floor. He grabs it, but severely burns his hand because the fire has heated the metal.

Indy and Marion escape and head to Egypt. With the help of Indy’s friend, Sallah, they try to find the Ark without alerting the Nazis of their plans. The story takes a number of twists and turns as possession of the Ark changes. Interspersed are great action sequences, such as Indy fighting the muscular German mechanic under the Flying Wing and his battling with a number of German soldiers on a moving truck. The audience is kept off-balance like they were riding a roller coaster. The film concludes with a fantastic climax.

Raiders works so well because of talents of many of its contributors. While Spielberg, Lucas, and Ford get most of the recognition, a couple of others deserve mention as well. Lawrence Kasdan turned the brainstorming story sessions with Lucas and Spielberg into a very good script. The characters are quickly rendered through their dialogue and actions. John Williams’ music is as essential to the film as any other aspect. His work perfectly augments the mood and is as instantly recognizable as Ford’s fedora-adorned silhouette and the graphic features of title.

The all-new special features include a new introduction with great behind-the-scenes footage incorporated. All of that footage should have presented. “The Indy Trilogy: A Crystal Clear Appreciation” has the cast and crew involved with Indy IV talk about Raiders. “The Mystery of the Melting Faces” contains interviews with the effects people and presents modern-day recreations. “Snakes Alive! The Well of Souls Storyboards” compares the storyboards with the sequence. There was no carryover from the previous set’s “Indiana Jones: The Making of a Trilogy.”

If you don’t own Raiders on DVD, be sure to get it. If you already have it, the new material isn’t even worth a rental