- Directed by
- Tim Skousen & Jeremy Coon
- Produced by
- Tim Skousen & Jeremy Coon
- Edited by
- Barry Poltermann
Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made follows three childhood friends, Eric Zala, Chris Strompolos, and Jayson Lamb, from 1982 to 1989 as they set out to make a fan film of Raiders of the Lost Ark. 35 years later in 2014, it shows how they get back together to finish filming the “plane sequence”, a previously missing scene from their remake.
Rotten Tomatoes reported a 91% approval rating based on 53 reviews. The website’s consensus reads: “As fascinating as it is affecting, Raiders! offers an insightful look at fan culture while presenting a poignant portrait of friendship over the passage of time.”
A Steven Spielberg-inspired story so sweet, the “E.T.” director himself could have devised it.
Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made, isn’t the kids’ finished film. It’s a film about the making of their film—and it’s amazing.
Captures the lunacy and love of fandom and friendship.
Truly Spielbergian… a love poem to film geeks everywhere.
Raiders captures the spirit of the Orson Welles — filmmaking is the biggest electric-train set any boy ever had.
Raiders is half sweet and half sour; it pays homage to a brilliantly influential movie, it illustrates the simple joys of fanboy imitation games, and it shows how honest enthusiasm can gradually transform itself into ego, arrogance, and borderline obsession.
A fascinating illustration of the power of film and why movies can be magical, making a statement about why the art form is important.