Raiders Of The Lost Ark Filming Locations – Then And Now

Raiders of the Lost Ark Filming Locations – Raiders of the Lost Ark is the first movie in the Indiana Jones franchise. Directed by Steven Speilberg, with the story written by George Lucas, the pair combined to try and create their own American version of James Bond. Harrison Ford was cast to take on the role of the hero archeologist, as he finds himself was odds with the Nazi’s themselves.

Released in 1981, many scenes were filmed on set at Elstree Studios in England. However, on-location shooting took place in Hawaii, Tunisia, England, and France to name a few places. Unfortunately, the most famous scene in the movie, where Indiana Jones is chased by a boulder, was shot on a set in Elstree. However, plenty of other great scenes were filmed in locations still accessible to the public today. Take a look at these Raiders of the Lost Ark Filming Locations.

AMAZON JUNGLE, PERU - KAUAI, HAWAII, USA

After Indiana Jones escapes the temple, he finds himself on the run from the Hovitos tribe. While this scene was set in Amazon jungle in Peru, however it was actually filmed on the Kipu Ranch in Kauai, Hawaii.

You may also recognise this location from the Gallimimus flocking scene in the original Jurassic Park (1993). Kipu is a working cattle ranch, however, you can book tours with Kipu Ranch Adventures which take you to the filming locations.

The Huleia Stream is located to the east of Kipu Ranch, this was used to portray the Amazon River, where Indy escapes the tribe by seaplane. Not too much has changed here, a rope swing is still in place so people can recreate the scene.

MARSHALL COLLEGE - UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC, STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA

The exterior of Marshall College, where Indy teaches, is actually the University of the Pacific in Stockton California. Not much has changed in the decades since apart from a new entrance.

MARSHALL COLLEGE (INTERIOR) - RICKMANSWORTH MASONIC SCHOOL, ENGLAND

The interior classroom shot of Marshall College actually takes place at Rickmansworth Masonic School in England.

The school is just down the road from Elstree Studios where much of the filming was done. Classroom 21 was used for the ‘Love You’ scene, Indy fans still visit the classroom today.

INDYS HOUSE

The house Indiana Jones lives in doesn’t appear to have changed too much. The house is located at 38 Alder Avenue, San Anselmo, California.

CAIRO, EGYPT - KAIROUAN, TUNISIA

The town of Kairouan in Tunsia was used to replicate Cairo. The town hasn’t changed too much over the past few decades as you can see…

In the movie Marion runs through the door then uses a frying pan to protect herself. Despite being painted, you can see from the detail that it’s the same door.

Not much has changed here at all, a few coats of paint is the only real difference. Even the plate shop is still running three decades later.

The door has changed over the years but the colour has remained the same.

Another door that still survives to this day, although in a slightly different colour.

The cat is long gone but the very distinctive door still exists at the bottom of the alley.

The square in which the vehicle flips over is still very recognizable today, despite a few upgrades.

The Marhala Bar has changed a fair bit in the thirty years since filming. The front is now a shop, with a new door and steps. The property has been turned into numerous smaller units.

TANIS DIG SITE, EGYPT - TOZEUR, TUNISIA

The Tanis dig site, where Indy locates the Ark, is actually filmed in Tozeur, Tunisia. Much of this area still looks the same, minus the props and actors.

The road is now gone, however you can still see the small fence along the left side of where the road once was.

ARK CANYON - SIDI BOUHEL, TUNISIA

The rocky passage that the Nazi’s transfer the Ark through is Sidi Bouhlel, in Tunisia. Also known as ‘Star Wars Canyon’, as many scenes in the original movies were shot there.

NAZI SUBMARINE HIDEOUT - LA ROCHELLE, FRANCE

After the Nazi’s capture the Ark they ship it off to an island ‘north of Crete’. The location used is La Rochelle, in the west of France. The port has existed since the 10th century, during WW2 it was actually used as a Nazi submarine naval base.