Talk:The Raiders Minimization/@comment-118.210.53.75-20131014225238

Indiana Jones didn't 'raid' or 'rescue' the Lost Ark, no. But he was the last man standing (along with the last woman) when those who opened it died, and he was able to keep it from continuing on to Germany as a result. (What there wasn't a single other Nazi on the island?  They wouldn't have just sent another U boat to pick it up if Indy didn't get it out of there first?)

But Marion Ravenwood would have been dead if not for Indy's involvement. Toht and his minions would have tortured her and taken the medallion. Later, they would have had no reason to keep her alive if they'd been digging in the right place. It's unlikely she'd have got out of the Well of Souls by herself. She wouldn't have closed her eyes when the Ark was opened if Indy hadn't told her to. And she probably could have used a hand getting off the island too.

Ultimately the movie is about Indy rescuing the girl (multiple times) keeping pace with the bad guys (sometimes a step ahead, sometimes a step behind) and taking the Ark home once they've blown themselves up.

It's also a neat metaphor for how you can't change history. We all know Hitler didn't acquire the Ark and use it to conquer the globe, so there was no real tension in that outcome not occurring. Does he save the girl? And if the Ark was found what happened to it? Plausible questions with uncertain answers.