Raiders of the Lost Ark

Raiders of the Lost Ark uses many shadows in its shot composition to give the film a comic book like feel. The use of shadows in the cinematography helps give a hint towards the story. The bar scene where Indiana has to get the headpiece to the staff of Ra, we first see Indy in a large shadow taking up the entire wall beside Marion. This shadow represents the fact that Indy was a large part in her life. As soon as she saw the shadow she instantly knew who it was. Then she goes on to tell Indy how he ruined her life because she was in love with him. Her explanation proves that Indy was huge part of her life and the shadow represents that. In the middle of the scene, Indy is leaving the bar, his face is completely in shadow but a small bit of light is shown on his eye. Indy needs the piece that Marion has. He leaves the bar empty handed and that little bit of light represents that Marion is the only way he can get that piece and she has rejected him. The light on his eye is the little glimmer of hope he needs to get that piece. When the Nazis come into the bar to try to obtain the piece, there is harsh shadow across the head Nazi’s face to represent that he is evil. This contrasts when Indy came in because Indy’s face was brightly lit.