Indy Did Nothing Criticism Explained & Debunked

A well-known theory about a Raiders of the Lost Ark story problem is that Indiana Jones did nothing to affect the plot, but this criticism isn’t true. A 1981 classic of the action-adventure genre, Raiders of the Lost Ark introduced the world to Indiana Jones, a character who became a legend in his own right, with a story currently spanning five movies and a spin-off TV series chronicling the adventures of the archaeologist’s younger days. The plot of Raiders of the Lost Ark sees Indy catapulted across the globe on the trail of the Ark of the Covenant.

Nazi troops are also seeking the Ark, and the film ends with the Nazis opening the Ark in the desert, and its supernatural power killing them all in Raiders of the Lost Ark‘s unforgettable face-melting scene. However, there is a well-known theory, popularized by an episode of The Big Bang Theory, that Indiana Jones did nothing to affect the plot of Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s an enduring theory that seems to point out a narrative misstep, but, upon close inspection, Jones does indeed affect Raiders of the Lost Ark‘s story, proving the popular plot hole to be entirely untrue.

The “Indiana Jones Did Nothing In Raiders Of The Lost Ark” Criticism Explained

The Nazis Would Have Found The Ark Regardless

The criticism is relatively convincing. As the film ends with the Nazis opening the Ark and being instantly killed by its supernatural forces, it seems to logically follow that this would have happened regardless of Indiana Jones’ interference. The ending of Raiders of the Lost Ark seems proof that Indy achieved very little throughout the film other than simply delaying the Nazis’ inevitable attempt to seize the Ark’s power. From the beginning, Jones is one step behind Belloq and the Nazi forces seeking the Ark, and it’s only through his contacts that he’s able to catch up to them and get close to the Ark.

When Indiana Jones arrives in Cairo, the Nazis already have a dig well underway at Tanis. However, they’re digging in the wrong place, and Jones manages to locate the Ark’s true location, only to have the relic stolen out from under him by the Nazi forces. However, it seems that the Nazis would have found the Ark of the Covenant regardless, as they were only a short way away from its resting place. It may have taken them a little longer, but the Nazis would have found the Ark eventually. This narrative redundancy led to the myth that Indiana Jones does nothing to affect the plot of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The Big Bang Theory Made This Theory Popular

This Theory Was An Argument In The Poplar Sitcom

The entire theory was played out in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory episode, “The Raiders Minimization.” It all started when Sheldon sat down with his girlfriend Amy so she could see Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time. Sheldon said he has watched it 36 times and nothing about the movie isn’t perfect. Amy then pointed out the fact that the Nazis would have found it, opened it, and died, whether Indiana Jones was there or not. Indy played no role in the end of the movie, and the conversation led to another moment where Sheldon talked to his friends later.

They mention how perfect Raiders of the Lost Ark is, and Sheldon points out what Amy had told him. When the guys said the Nazis were digging in the wrong place, Sheldon said that is because Indy has the medallion, and if he hadn’t been there, they would have found it anyway, which depressed all of them. Sheldon later joked to Amy that she ruined Raiders and the rest of the franchise for him — except the fourth movie, which had already been ruined. There was one last joke where Leonard mentioned Indy didn’t even take the Ark to the right place in the end, getting that wrong too.

How Indiana Jones Does Impact Raiders Of The Lost Ark’s Story

Jones Actively Kept The Ark From Getting To Hitler

The common criticism of the film’s story couldn’t be more wrong. Indiana Jones is shown to affect the plot in countless ways throughout, as every interaction he has with Belloq and the Nazis furthers the narrative in one way or another. There’s even an interesting and dark theory that Indiana Jones caused World War II with his meddling in Raiders of the Lost Ark‘s story. Though there is perhaps an argument for how Indiana Jones’ actions seem to do little other than postpone the inevitable throughout most of the film, this is significant.

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Raiders Of The Lost Ark’s Most Iconic Line Was Ad-Libbed By Harrison Ford

Raiders of the Lost Ark is full of great lines, but one of the most iconic quotes from the first Indiana Jones film was ad-libbed by Harrison Ford.

Every frustration — no matter how minor — caused by Indiana Jones ultimately contributes to the Belloq and the Nazis’ decision to open the Ark in the desert before returning to Berlin, and that prevents its power from ever reaching Hitler himself. Though it’s possible the Ark would have killed Adolf Hitler before World War II began, it’s equally possible that he’d have found a way to harness its power and become unstoppable.

The apparent Indiana Jones theory is proved untrue by simple logic. Indiana Jones’s actions directly influence the course of events throughout Raiders of the Lost Ark, and he has a clear impact on its story. The ideas behind the common criticism of Indiana Jones’ role in the film’s story are all based on hypothetical events that would occur if Indy wasn’t present, and the idea is innately flawed. Exactly what would happen without Indiana Jones is difficult to know. However, the simple fact of Raiders of the Lost Ark is that the relentless meddling of Indiana Jones drives its plot.

Raiders Of The Lost Ark Criticism Ignores Indiana Jones’ Character Arc

Indiana Jones Has Always Been Proactive

Not only does Raiders of the Lost Ark‘s ending see the Ark taken to a warehouse for safekeeping, but it establishes Indiana Jones’s heroism. The movie starts with Indiana Jones recovering an artifact from a Peruvian temple, only to have it stolen by Belloq. Throughout Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones goes on a journey that sees him come face-to-face with the literal power of God, recovering the lost Ark of the Covenant and ultimately foiling the Nazis’ plan to harness its power. His journey throughout the film sees him learn to respect the power of the artifacts he’s chasing.

Indy knows not to look at the Ark once it is opened and is spared its wrath. This proves Indiana Jones learned something, and his survival ensures the Ark is taken to a secure location instead of falling into the hands of someone who would abuse its power. Not only does this disprove the commonly touted criticism of the film, but it also disproves another often-held misconception about Indiana Jones’s status as a protagonist with no apparent character arc. His persistent opposition to the Nazis throughout Raiders of the Lost Ark forces them to adjust their plans, which results in the safe recovery of the Ark of the Covenant.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

The most popular and well-received film in the Indiana Jones movie franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark follows Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones in a race against Nazi forces to recover the famed Ark of the Covenant. Aided by his former lover, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy must work to keep the Nazis, led by Dr. Rene Belloq, from obtaining the Ark and thus becoming recipients of its power. The film is widely regarded as one of the all-time greatest movies ever made. 

Release Date

June 12, 1981

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

Cast

Harrison Ford , Karen Allen , Alfred Molina , Paul Freeman , Ronald Lacey , John Rhys-Davies , Denholm Elliott

Runtime

115 Minutes

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