Archangel Gabriel: "Sir, some guy named Belloq and the Nazis are opening the Ark." God: "Excuse me for a moment."

Moral of the story: If god tells you not touch his stuff...DONT TOUCH HIS STUFF! 😐

The concept of angels of death taking a more rotten, horrid form when dealing with evil is such a cool idea i wish media did more.

Loved that thunderclap when the lid of the Ark slammed shut. It's like God was telling Indy and Marion, "It's OK, kids. You can open your eyes now."

The moment the sand was touched...the Holiness was corrupted and all had to be cleansed by God. He literally burned them all to dust, purified the Ark, and sealed it again. Powerful message!

I LOVE how Indy is actually screaming in this scene. Usually the strong male protags remains stoic in the face of danger, but even Indiana Jones screams when faces with otherwordly powers beyond understanding. Great scene

It’s amazing how God rewarded Indy and Marion with freeing them and sparing them in exchange for not looking at the power of the Ark.

I love how the power of the Ark also freed Indy and Marion of the ropes they were tied with, wihtout burning all the other clothing they had. God sort of rewarded them for respecting the Ark and not looking, showing his fairness.

This scene is brilliant because this is definitely something the Old Testament God would do.

"I was an atheist up until the moment I witnessed the wrath of God annihilate a squad of Nazis who had be captive."-Excerpt from Indy's salvation testimony

Ironic that Toht was originally going to burn Marion's face in the beginning of the movie and then at the end his face melts off.

My parents thought this scene would scare me as a child so ironically they told me to close my eyes too. I think hearing the screams and imagining what was happening was probably scarier than watching. But I think maybe having the same experience as the main characters made it more memorable for me.

If God says "Hey don't touch my stuff," then YOU DON'T TOUCH HIS STUFF.

He chose ... poorly.

This has got to be one of the best “0 to 100 real quick” moments in all of cinema. Remember, up until this point absolutely nothing supernatural or “other-worldly” happened in the film. Yeah, there were a couple lines about ancient power and God at the beginning of the movie, but aside from the box the Ark was in becoming charred, there was nothing extreme happening - it was a pretty straightforward (but good) adventure movie. Then all of a sudden in a matter of a 3-minute scene you have ghosts killing Nazis, people’s faces melting off, and someone’s head actually explodes. I can only imagine sitting in the movie theater during 1981, seeing this for the first time, and going “What the fuck just happened?!”

I love the slow build, as Indy realizes what's coming even though he can't quite believe it himself.

When we saw this film, I remember asking my mother why they were spared and no one else. She looked at me and said softly "One does not look upon the Hand of God and live"

When they discover nothing but sand in the Ark, Belloq and Dietrich are appalled, but Toht just laughs as if it's the funniest thing ever. I always found that quite chilling.

and then a nazi soldier comming from the bathroom: hey guys, how is the ark thing...hey where is everyone??

One of the absolute best scenes in the history of cinema.

I love how Toht screams like a little girl the exact moment shit goes down.

Fun Fact: This movie is rated PG.

The entire movie was building up to this moment, and the payoff was better than any of us thought.

The way the spirit goes from beautiful to evil as the music kicks in is phenomenal

This was one of those rare times when the exposition and action built up to a massive threat, which, when it was displayed on screen, did not disappoint in the least. I think the fact that Indiana and Marion are both tied up adds to the audience's sense of powerlessness and vulnerability.

Like many religions, he thinks that wearing the correct garb and speaking the right words will be enough to appease God.

"Yeah, ooo, ahhh, that's how it always starts. But then later there's running and screaming." -Ian Malcolm

God made it PERFECTLY CLEAR that the Ark of the Covenant is NEVER to be opened!

I did Nazi that coming...

John Williams just nailed it here.

This is one of the most spectacular and terrifying scenes in film history.

I love how this movie randomly shifts gears and becomes a horror movie within a few minutes lol

this scene scared me so much when i was little

I like how the female ghost/angel seems to hone in on Toht probably sensing what a horrible evil man he is and all of sudden his mocking laughter from before turns to pure terror when it's face changes

When Indy said “Keep your eyes shut!” I think he was talking to the audience lol.

GREAT film. Fun fact, the face-melting scene was completely improvised by the actor who played Toht. Spielberg initially said "CUT! What the hell was that?!" but the producers insisted it stay in the picture and the rest is hollywood history

I just love how you can see Indiana quickly thinking, using what he's studied, and coming up with a possible plan that might save their lives. He doesn't know that not looking, denying themselves the forbidden fruit of knowledge by keeping their eyes shut will work or not, but it's all they can do. And the Music! God! Such a great scene!

They really should have put a warning label on that thing. "Caution: Opening this Ark may cause giddiness, drowsiness, immolation, burns and skin melting."

One of the greatest scenes in cinema history. Still has the power to shock after 40 years. Masterpiece of a movie

Since I was a kid, this scene has always intrigue me to the deepest level. Really makes you feel as you are witnessing something you shouldn't.

THESE EFFECTS BEAT CGI BY A LONG SHOT!

"... and you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you!"

Nazis: not even God can stop us! God: Aw, that’s so cute....

Just after the German officer puts his hand in and sand falls out of his hands , you very faintly start to hear the thrum of power coming from the Ark itself. It then builds. Its a subtle sound, but is such awesomely put in.

When I was younger, I thought they were literally looking into Hell itself. And if it made a man like Toht scream like a girl, I could only imagine how horrible Hell would be. I could hardly sleep.

2:55 "It's beautiful!" It won't be in 5 seconds.

This is the single most traumatic scene I have ever seen at the movies when I was a kid. The melting man terrorized me so much I could not sleep that night. Now it's one of my favorite scenes.

I like the detail that the angels float around everyone but Indiana and Marion because they have their eyes closed. thus showing respect.

This scene scared the crap out of me for a long time. I remember having nightmares about this scene for many years. But now when I look back on it, I kinda laugh.

As my Dad always said, "God's just cleaning it."

Not many films have an ending as incredible as the opening of the film.

I love it how their ropes got disintegrated too. It's like the big guy said: "You did me a solid! Let me help ya out."

4:28 - "I... feel like I need to go to church." "Yeah, let's do that. Quickly."

Made nearly 40 years ago but this scene is still so atmospheric and quite awe-inspiring. That buzzing sound at 1:45 still chills my blood.

You know, this movie did the Ark of the Covenant justice somehow. The Bible states that the Ark was the place where God's presence was felt among the Israelite camp in Exodus. So, to simply come before the Ark and open it is a defilement of the place where God stands. And God, being the Most Holy One, does not take kindly to that and will purify any defilement. So, anyone who dares to touch the Ark was immediately smitten by God's wrath. Makes sense why despite the beauty of the angel that appeared suddenly turned into a disturbing image of death, and why the Nazis in the movie were struck by God's fire. Long story short, leave the Ark alone.

3:01 is where and when beautiful becomes the wrath. Just Mind-Blowing.

I went to a thirty-fifth anniversary screening last year, and among the other patrons was someone bringing his two young sons (both looking somewhere between the ages of eight and six). After the movie ended I noticed that one of them still had tears on his face and I asked if this scene scared him. "Oh no," said his dad. "He's just sad that the monkey died."

This scene can be summed up as God saying "Keep your hands off my stuff and stop bullying my kids!"

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. - Exodus 33:20

Love how majestic the music is just before the angel becomes a monster!

One of the best endings ever! The bad guys fate suffer their fate, and Indy and Marion are released for their chords they are bind with. Nothing like a totally epic ending for a movie.

"Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you." Proverbs 20:22

I love Indy’s face when the Ark is opened. Seeing Belloq’s face at the sight of the fine sand is sweet: of *course* the Ten Commandments wouldn’t be intact after all this time. What did you expect? F-ing idiot. But when the machines start to overload: ohhh crap. And can we all agree that even now, this is still one of the greatest Holy F-ing Sh-! moments in cinema? Pun intended.

I love it when he says "it's beautiful!" Five seconds later he's like oh crap! That's what happens when you disrespect God!

what a movie! i saw it thousand of times when i was a kid!

As cheesy as it sounds, this is probably one of the most accurate visual representations of what happens when the sinful nature of man comes into contact with God's Holy and Pure presence. Exodus 33:22 refers to God putting Moses in a rock and covering Moses's face until God passes through. Yet God let's Moses catch the slightest glimpse (backside) of God.

You can actually hear Toht drowning in his own blood!

This scene is still so beautiful and so brutal to watch at the same time.

3:35 Probably one of the single coolest practical fx I've ever seen. It still mesmerizes me, over 30 years later. Done with various colors of wax and a super high heat gun. Beauty.

Seriously, this one of the best endings in cinema history!

Fun fact: Richard Edlund, made the special effects for this movie. Also he made: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, E.T. the extraterrestrial, Ghostbusters and Poltergeist.

I'm not going to lie, when I first saw this as a kid, I shut my eyes immediately when Indy told Marion to do the same; I thought whatever was in the Ark would manage to come through the TV screen and kill me if I dared look at it. It wasn't until about two years later before I was brave enough to watch this with my eyes open.

Notice it doesn't start until AFTER Belloq says "It's beautiful!"...as in "They DARE LOOK UPON the GREATNESS of the LORD!!!?"

That thunder was a nice touch. That was God saying "You're welcome Indy".

I had to come back and watch this scene again after seeing some of the "making of" footage on the Disney+ show "Light and Magic." It's episode 4 if anyone is interested. They showed how they were able to make the spirits look so otherworldly. They built them out of fabric, put them on sticks, and filmed them moving underwater. Then the footage was sped up, giving them that great floaty feel. I thought that was brilliant. It's crazy to think that this movie was filmed in 1980, when all special effects had to be made and composited manually. This movie still holds up in every way.

I think the Indiana was so serious when he said “Keep your eyes shut” he kinda broke the fourth wall. Some of us may kinda wish we listened.

If they put this movie back in theaters I am certain it would blow the competition away. It would also remind movie goers what slop they are being fed and how bad the effects were compared to this.

I love how they take turns screaming.

I love Thots laughter when he sees the sand. It really shows that he never really cared about history, treasures or eaven the third regim. He was the only bad guy who was in It for the thrill of It. Every sacrifice being for a box of sand was hillarious to him.

2:53 I LOVE the inclusion of the medallion theme here. It conveys that sense of judgement from God, in that final moment, before unleashing horror. Its really beautiful and chilling..

this scene freaked the shit out of me as a kid

This scene really makes me, tear up. This movie is incredibly nostalgic to me. From the music, to the effects from 1981, it all just works. Idk how to explain it. But i think this is THE best, most iconic movie scene of all time.

When I see Toht picking up the dust and laughing hysterically. "Fools mock, but they shall mourn" - Ether 12:26.

Can we all take a moment to give the foley sound artists their due. The sound design in this scene is some of the best in cinema. From the ark's cover being removed to the sound of the sand drifting down to the long, low thunder boiking up drom the ark...the tension in this scene is built using SOUND. Just spectacular work.

Practical effects, WAYYYY better than CGI. Imagine if this was made today, all the those flying spirits would look Pixar.

this scene scared the absolute shit out of me when i was a kid, and it's still scary to this day.

This must be one of the most terrifying movie sequences ever... and it always gives me goosebumps.

The unearthly whistling sounds that the supernatural entities (avenging angels?) start making at 2:37 really add to the intensity of this scene...I consider this scene one of the best - and most memorable - in the history of American cinema.

I guess you can say they did *nazi* that coming.

Sometimes this happens when I open a cupboard in my kitchen if its not been cleaned for ages.

This scene absolutely terrafied me as a kid and if I watched raiders on video I had to look away myself when the angel turns angry in Toht's face it scared me that much, even outside of the world of the film I was heeding the warning not to look directly at it just like Indy had directed.

I admit this scene was a lot more satisfying than it should have been. Seeing the power of god strike down and melt nazis.

Nostalgia Critic said it best; back when PG actually meant Parental Guidance. Now it might as well stand for "Practically G"

(3:11-3:40) See?... This is what happens when you screw around with forces beyond your understanding or control.

Can we just applaud the sound designers? They had to figure out what the power of GOD sounded like and what they came up with not only fit the scene but also terrify you even if you had your eyes closed!

3:01 - 3:30 - 3:26 One of the earliest scenes in my childhood, to ever scare the living daylight out of me.

I sat in the theater in 1981 with my jaw on the ground during this scene. To this day this movie is my very favorite.

3:09 Marion: okay, by the way i'm pregnant. Indiana: maybe just one quick peek

Almost 40 years later, and still one of the best death scenes in cinema! 😃

There's also an allusion to the closing of eyes during the opening of the Ark in Indian folklore as well. Here is how it goes. A man and his family had the worst of luck in their business in a city and were on the point of becoming homeless. However, they were kind and good people, always ready to help, which many people took advantage of and caused their current predicament. The man was an atheist, but his wife believed in God. Out of options, he agreed to his wife's request to see God. They went to the temple in the middle of the city and requested the priest an audience with God. The priest, knowing of the man's good nature agreed, but with a condition: That only the man was to enter the temple and the doors would be closed behind him so that he would be alone with God. Kneeling in front of the diety, the man after some hesitation asked. "Lord, my wife says this is all a test to see how I can rise above it, and have a better life for me and my family. I am not sure if it's true or not, but I ask you to show me a way. I have helped people, some of whom deserve it and some don't. But I have always done it in a selfless way, not thinking of profit and certainly not out of greed. Hence, request you to please help me" he implored, looking at the diety. The diety remained immovable and impassive, but the man's patience had run out. Dejectedly, he and his wife made it back home and got into bed. During his sleep, he had a dream where God appeared before him. "My son, I understand you have sought an audience with me, regarding your troubles. Let me ask you this. A man who has love for everyone, who helps friends and strangers alike with no malice, greed, or selfishness in heart, yet has no belief in God, but decides to approach me for help? Can you give me a reason for your non-belief and why you would come now of all times?" The man answered, "My Lord, I have a very good reason for not believing. Years ago, when my mother was ill, I moved from person to person, asking for help, even at one point asking for your help, but nothing. I have lost my mother due to the lack of assistance from God and man alike. Which is why I took a decision to stop believing in God, and also help people in need. The reason being I didn't want to become the man I did not receive help from, for that was never in my nature. My mother's death instead strengthened by belief of helping people in need. However, I also believed that when every person in life will die at some point, why pray to God for it? When you leave this place, all that will be left is a good image of me in the eyes of the people I helped, and that happiness and remembrance is enough for me. I was of this opinion until I had a family of my own. Seeing my wife and children suffering is something I could not bear to see. Also, though I don't believe in God, I have never challenged my wife's beliefs. My only wish is for my family to live happily and prosper, not to see them in a state of poverty or out on the streets in the cold". God pondered for a moment and then said, "Hmm, you have a valid point. Tomorrow, at dawn, please pack up and leave this city, but on one condition: Do NOT, in any circumstance, be it someone calling, someone stopping you to talk or out of curiosity, turn around and look behind you. Only when you have reached the end of the city limits and nearing the next city can you look. I ask you to have that faith in me and follow my advice." The man found this strange, but when he woke up in the early hours of the morning, he told his wife all about the dream. Agreeing to the condition, he and his family set off with their belongings, walking at a brisk pace. People started looking at them and started calling them, asking questions, they heard people calling from behind, people trying to slow them down to ask questions or asking the reason for leaving. The group found this extremely strange, but all through this, the man kept his word to God and continued walking until the city outskirts, finally nearing a town. When he finally crossed the line showing the city limit, he and his family turned to look. What they saw made their hair stand up on end and shivers run down their spine. Standing in front of them, just behind the city limits, was a humanoid person, disheveled and dirty, with long and matted hair, torn clothes, with long sharp fingernails and teeth like a demon, and red glowing eyes, staring at them with a mixture of sadness and anger. Upon staring at them for a moment, it turned around and headed back into the city. The man and his family realized that they were staring at the literal embodiment of bad luck, temptation, and poverty. The man realized that God had listened to his prayer, which firmly re-established his faith in God. The family then moved into the other city and started anew and to the man's surprise, his business boomed and his family's life became much better. Despite his initial lack of belief in him, God came through to help in his moment of need, and the man never forgot that lesson for the rest of his life, nor did his family.