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Italian Director's "Raiders" Homage Rediscovered
24 Mar
Summary
- Antonio Margheriti's '80s adventure films inspired by Raiders of the Lost Ark.
- Severin releases remastered 4K UHD and Blu-ray collection of his work.
- Margheriti blended genres like action, Bond, and war films in his tributes.
In 1981, Italian director Antonio Margheriti was deeply inspired by Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark." This inspiration led to a series of "Indiana Jonesploitation" films, three of which Margheriti directed: "The Hunters of the Golden Cobra" (1982), "The Ark of the Sun God" (1984), and "Jungle Raiders" (1985).
These films are now available in a lovingly remastered 4K UHD and Blu-ray collection from Severin. The set, titled "Antonio Margheriti & the Jungles of Doom: His '80s Adventure Films," includes new scans and extensive interviews, offering context on Margheriti's career.
Margheriti was known for expertly adapting popular trends, moving between horror, westerns, and sci-fi. His Jonesploitation trilogy evolved from his Vietnam War film "The Last Hunter," shot on sets left behind by Francis Ford Coppola in the Philippines.
The Jonesploitation films skillfully blended genres. "The Hunters of the Golden Cobra" combined adventure with World War II action, while "The Ark of the Sun God" incorporated elements of James Bond. "Jungle Raiders" is considered the trilogy's best, featuring spaghetti Western legend Lee Van Cleef.
Though less celebrated than peers like Dario Argento, Margheriti was a craftsman of incredible range. His '80s adventure films offer a fantastic entry point to his extensive 40-year career, distilling the essence of adventure cinema with professionalism and passion.
