Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made

With a title that's more than a mouthful, "Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made" follows the exploits of a group of boys-now men-who once set out to make a shot-for-shot remake of Steven Spielberg's classic, "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Beginning in the early 1980s when they were young kids, the film took seven years to complete, using nothing more than rudimentary home video equipment and a lot of passion. This documentary picks up their story almost thirty years later when a successful Kickstarter campaign enables them to attempt filming a final scene and finish the project that defined their childhoods.

In an age where Hollywood's every second release is a remake, few topics could be more appropriate than a shot-for-shot recreation of a beloved film. Besides the obvious amateur nature of their production, the major difference here is that Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala's adaptation of their chosen source material was made without a heavy dose of corporate cynicism. This is one of those rare occasions where "remake" is not a dirty word-it was made with love.

That love for the material and passion for their project shone through enough to make it an underground viral hit. Over the years, it was circulated via bootleg VHS tapes until it found its way into the hands of Eli Roth, who passed a copy to Harry Knowles. Knowles then helped bring it to a wider audience. There's a natural appeal to the idea that speaks to the fan inside all of us, so it's no wonder that it inspired people to donate to the Kickstarter campaign. The main players visibly age throughout the remake, as its seven-year production unfolds before the audience's eyes-like a Spielberg-flavored version of Richard Linklater's "Boyhood". Their remake is a distillation of childhood fandom projected onto the screen.

But we're here to talk about the documentary that tells the story of its making, which frames its narrative around Strompolos and Zala's struggle to film the final scene on a limited budget. The rest of the runtime is filled with interviews featuring their friends and family, along with ample clips from the film itself.

There's a frustration here-felt not only by myself but also by some of the interviewees-that so much creative time and effort was spent on an inferior version of a film that had already been made. Other documentaries about low-budget filmmaking (such as American Movie) had a much easier job getting the audience to root for the success of their subjects. As Zala pours more of his own money into finishing the film, it's hard not to yell at the screen, "Why? Why are you doing this? Make something of your own!"

It's up to the documentary's filmmakers, Jeremy Coon and Tim Skousen, to provide insight into the determination and reasoning behind such a project. For the most part, we're left wondering-though there are a few moments where the surface is scratched, revealing that Strompolos' family life wasn't exactly ideal. Perhaps the collaborative process of remaking Indiana Jones was the only stable part of his and Zala's existence? Unfortunately, the documentary doesn't dig into their psychological motivations as much as it could have.

There's also not enough screen time dedicated to examining Strompolos and Zala's friendship. We know they must have been close in their teenage years, but in adulthood, they seem distant. They're rarely on camera together, leaving us to question why they're bothering to finish the film. If not to rekindle their camaraderie and complete what they started, then why? Are they simply doing it for the money or the limited fame this documentary might bring them? Are they playing it up for the camera? Has resurrecting their passion project tainted it with the same cynicism that plagues big-budget modern remakes? The documentary doesn't go deep enough.

Still, "Raiders!" is a tight and entertaining account. It's hard to fault Jeremy C. And Tim S.'s ability to craft an engaging narrative from what is inherently interesting material-not only for fans of Indiana Jones but also for anyone with an interest in low-budget filmmaking. It is slightly disappointing that there's no involvement from Harrison Ford, George Lucas, or Spielberg, but that's hardly surprising.

What is surprising is that there has been no litigation from the Disney camp thus far. They seem to be turning a blind eye. In fact, while they're in a good mood, I'd go so far as to suggest that Disney shortlist Zala and Strompolos for the director's chair when they inevitably reboot the Indy franchise. I mean, these guys spent almost three decades aping Spielberg-why not give them a shot? They wouldn't do a worse job than some of the current mercenary directors handling big-name reboots, right?

If the concept of "Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made" piques your interest, then it's certainly worth your time. I only wish it had dug deeper into its subjects.

Inspiring, often times funny documentary about a trio of eleven years- olds who set out to do Raiders Of The Lost Ark- they didn't remake it, they *made* Raiders Of The Lost Ark- in its entirety, in the homes and cellars, with next to no money, and over the course of several summers in the 1980s. Four documentary film crews then followed them in 2014, as they filmed the sole scene they could not film originally.

This doc includes new interviews with them, along with clips from the film itself, and a few blooper reel scenes and outtakes, and original, hand-drawn storyboards (of which there were 602, as explained in a film festival Q&A session after the screening, and before showing Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation) and people like John Ryhs-Davies, who have publicly commended the film.

Required viewing for fans of Raiders Of The Lost Ark, film buffs, and anyone who ever dreamed and fantasised about making a film.

'RAIDERS!: THE STORY OF THE GREATEST FAN FILM EVER MADE': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A documentary on the making of the fan film 'RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: THE ADAPTATION'; which is a shot-for-shot remake of the classic 1981 Steven Spielberg movie. It was made by two 11-year-old Mississippi boys, and their friends, over the course of 7-years. They finished the entire remake, except for the final airplane battle sequence. The friends reunited, 30-years later, to finally film that one missing scene (and finish their movie). This film documents that process. It was directed and written by first time filmmakers Jeremy Coon and Tim Skousen; and it was based on the book by Alan Eisenstock. Being a past childhood filmmaker, myself, and a huge movie nerd, as well (to this day), I really enjoyed this documentary.

Two 11-year-old childhood friends, Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos, setout to remake their favorite movie, 'RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK', in Mississippi in 1981. The film was not available on video yet; so they had to rely on a lot of other resources to pull it off (like a published script, and magazine articles), as well as their friends and memories. They completed filming every scene of the original movie, over the next 7-years, except for the landing pad battle sequence. 30-years later, the friends finally reunited; and raised the money they needed (through a Kickstarter campaign) to finish their childhood dream.

I've never seen the fan film, this movie is about, but I have (of course) seen Spielberg's 1981 masterpiece (multiple times). I love the original film still, and I'm sure I'd probably like the kids' remake too. Spielberg has seen it (and he loves it), so have many others; like filmmaker Eli Roth and film critic Harry Knowles (who both appear in this documentary). Even though I haven't yet seen the beloved fan flick 'cult classic' (this is based on), I could still really appreciate this documentary; because it beautifully captures what a 'love for movies' is all about. I was a childhood filmmaker, and I still try to make movies (today); so I definitely found this film inspiring and relatable (to say the least).

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Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made (2015)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

This documentary tells the rather exciting and at times sad story of Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala, two young friends who decides to try and do a scene-for-scene remake of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. Their journey would eat up seven years of their childhood and the two would eventually be brought back together as they try to film the one scene that they couldn't as children.

There are countless fan films out there and especially in today's age where anyone can film something on their phone and upload it to YouTube within minutes. What's so amazing about RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: THE ADAPTATION is the fact that it was done back in the 80s with real effects and the fact that it ended up becoming a huge hit after the bootleg tape fell into the right hands.

This documentary does an excellent job at not only covering the making of the film but also how its making impact the two main people involved. After the fan fare started to pick up, a Kickstarter campaign was started so that the two could go back and finish one piece of the movie that was missing. We get to see the actual shooting of this scene as well as learn about the original shooting as well as all the ups and downs that went into it.

I'm sure most people have pretended that they made a movie or they dreamed of doing so. What's so fascinating about these kids is the fact that they actually went out there and did it. Their stories are certainly something that leads to a highly entertaining story and there's plenty of nice drama throughout this documentary of them trying to complete the picture. If you're a fan of the original Steven Spielberg film then you'll certainly be entertained by this documentary and the stories that come with it.

All I can say is watch this movie!! Very endearing and heartwarming story of dedication & love. Had us glued from the beginning. Brought me back to a simpler time and age. Absolutely Loved it!