Indiana Jones rides again
It was a thrilling experience to ‘relive’ Raiders Of The Lost Ark with live music in the hallowed halls of the DFP, writes Aref Omar
ACLASSIC Hollywood action and adventure movie, Raiders
Of The Lost Ark was a major success when it first hit cinemas back in 1981. Directed by Steven Spielberg, a then fresh director with lots of potential, the movie helped to further solidify its lead actor, Harrison Ford, as a bona fide international star.
Ford, who was already a sensation as Han Solo in the first Star Wars movie, was a natural as the now famous globe-trotting archeologist sporting a brown leather jacket, bullwhip and trademark fedora.
The fast-paced movie was a product of its time and paid homage to the pulp heroes in serials from the 1930s and 1940s.
Although Spielberg was initially eyeing Tom Selleck as Indiana Jones, the mustachioed actor was unfortunately tied up with starring in the 1980s hit TV series, Magnum PI.
Things worked out for the better and it’s really hard now to imagine Indy being played by anyone else other than Ford.
Another thing about the movie that sticks to one’s mind like superglue is also the orchestral scoring by the one and only John Williams.
The man is famous for creating some of the most recognisable themes from big Hollywood blockbusters and franchises, such as Jaws, Star Wars, Superman, Jurassic Park and the Harry Potter movies.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Raiders soundtrack received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score.
Recently, Malaysians got to experience the rousing Indiana Jones theme, formerly known as The Raiders March, performed brilliantly by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) at the Petronas Philharmonic Hall (DFP).
Conducted by MPO resident conductor Gerard Salonga, the vibrant and dynamic score came to life, from the moving strings to the commanding brass.
What made it even more memorable during this 150-minute show (with an intermission) dubbed Raiders Of The Lost Ark In Concert, was that the audience got to watch the whole movie as well, which was projected on a screen above the MPO.
The aural impact of the full symphony orchestra certainly gave it an epic live feel as the audience members in the packed hall followed the adventures of Indy, circa the late 1930s, in battling Nazis in search of the Ark of the Covenant.
This is not the first time as the MPO has presented similar screenings for movies like Psycho, Home Alone, Casablanca, Ola Bola, Ratatouille and Charlie Chaplin’s Modern Times and The Gold Rush.
Suffice to say, movie and orchestral soundtrack fans should not miss the opportunity to catch similar offerings by the MPO in the future as it certainly provides for a uniquely entertaining experience.
Fans of John Williams’ work should look out for The Music Of Star Wars coming in December, which features the MPO as well as the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra conducted by Dirk Brosse.
For more information, visit www.mpo. com.my. aref@nst.com.my