Raiders of the Lost Ark is by far one of the best cinematic masterpieces of all time.
I mean, it has both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas as Director and Writer, respectively. This combination alone is incredible. But what makes Raiders of the Lost Ark even more special is the addition of Spielberg and Lucas’ favourite film composer, John Williams. The collaboration of this trio was an absolute masterstroke, and Raiders of the Lost Ark went on to win five Academy Awards, plus John Williams also won a Grammy Award for Best Album of Original Score for a Motion Picture.
I adore this film and always relish the opportunity to catch it in a live setting, even more so with a full symphony orchestra. Thankfully, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has returned with another of their famed film concerts with, you guessed it, Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Held at The Plenary at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and conducted by Benjamin Northey, the full symphony orchestra played Williams’ award-winning score live, with the film playing on a big screen alongside them. After falling in love with the Indiana Jones franchise all over again recently from playing the new game Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, I was beyond excited to catch this special concert event to see where the franchise and lore all began.
Originally released in 1981, Raiders of the Lost Ark is the first film starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Set in 1936, the film opens with Indy chasing an ancient Peruvian Golden Idol. The opening is so famous and iconic, there are theme park performances made after it, and even the recent The Great Circle game allowing you to replay the entire sequence. The music behind it is just as amazing, with the packed Plenary Theatre full of eagar fans cheering with joy at the first hint of the iconic ‘The Raiders March / The Indiana Jones Theme’. This was worth the price of admission alone, but there was still an entire film yet to experience!
Indy finds himself on a mission to Cairo to uncover the ancient relic known as The Ark of the Covenant. Supposedly, it holds the original Ten Commandments and holds an unknown power. After reuniting with an old flame, the feisty and loud Marion (Karen Allen), in Nepal, the two must find The Ark before his long-time rival, the sneaky Belloq (Paul Freeman) and his Nazi counterparts beat him to it.
I have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark more times than I can count, and I have been lucky to have seen it with a live symphony orchestra once before when I first fell in love with the magic of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. This time around was just as special, and I found myself appreciating the technical aspects of the film more than I had done before.
They really don’t make films like this anymore and it’s a real shame. Spielberg’s direction is masterful and the cinematography by Douglas Slocombe is just as incredible. Paired with the unmistakable score from John Williams and this film is a technical marvel. As I have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark so many times due it being one of my favourites, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the talented Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in full swing as the score was played live.
With Benjamin Northey at the helm, I was captivated by the movements of both conductor and musicians alike; from the slow and subtle tones that build up to an epic soundscape accompanying the action on screen, to the eerie scary screeches and sounds as Indy encounters the supernatural and scary, including those damn snakes!
These film concerts are always such a joy and a thrill to experience that is only enhanced with the participation of those in attendance. During the introduction to the film and score, conductor Benjamin Northey excitedly encouraged us to cheer, applaud and get involved as much as we felt appropriate. We cheered at the sight of Harrison Ford’s appearance as Indiana Jones on screen for the very first time, booed and scowled at the sight of the villains, and of course erupted with applause in appreciation of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at the end of each musical sequence.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra have again partnered up with Social Exposure, providing a digital photobooth experience. There is a green screen photo opportunity that puts you into the Peruvian Temple with the Golden Tiki Idol. There is also a 360 animated photo experience too. So, ensure you arrive early to get your own keepsake of your MSO experience. This photo opportunity is something MSO fans always look forward to when attending the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s MSO at the Movies film concert series as it gives patrons something to share and cherish from the film concert.
I always come away from these film concert experiences with deep and heartful new appreciation on the importance of scores and the pivotal role that they play in enhancing stories and experiences of film. I cannot even fathom how Raiders of the Lost Ark would be without John Williams’ score, but I am damn thankful for it. And to think that Williams is still smashing out incredible music to this day, at the age of 92? It’s just phenomenal.
Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performed at The Plenary at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday the 31st of January. There is a single performance left of this concert series on Saturday the 1st of February at 1pm.
Trust me, if there is one film concerts you need to see, it is this one!
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.mso.com.au/performance/2025-raiders-of-the-lost-ark