What do you think?
Rate this book
Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made
The official companion book to the hit feature-length documentary, Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made, in theaters and on video on demand June 27th 2016In 1982, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Chris Strompolos, eleven, asked Eric Zala, twelve, a "Would you like to help me do a remake Raiders of the Lost Ark? I'm playing Indiana Jones."And they did it. Every shot, every line of dialogue, every stunt.They borrowed and collected costumes, convinced neighborhood kids to wear grass skirts and play natives, cast a fifteen-year-old as Indy's love interest, rounded up seven thousand snakes (sort of), built the Ark, the Idol, the huge boulder, found a desert in Mississippi, and melted the bad guys' faces off.It took seven years.Along the way, Chris had his first kiss (on camera), they nearly burned down the house and incinerated Eric, lived through parents getting divorced and remarried, and watched their friendship disintegrate.Alan Eisenstock's Raiders! is the incredible true story of Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos, how they realized their impossible dream of remaking Raiders of the Lost Ark, and how their friendship survived all challenges, from the building of a six-foot round fiberglass boulder to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
- GenresNonfictionFilm
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 13, 2012
3 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Alan Eisenstock
32 books7 followersI've been a writer most of my life. I've written books, magazine articles, TV shows, movies, plays, advertising copy, and brochures for my kids' school. A few years ago, I decided to walk away from a successful television writing and producing career and follow my dream of writing prose for a living.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 28, 2023
The film tracing a group of kids' outrageously ambitious idea to create a shot-for-shot remake of "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was one of the most enjoyable and entertaining documentaries I've seen in quite awhile. The book companion to the film also does not disappoint.
The sheer dedication of these kids in their single-minded way is impressive--made even more so by the fact that this was the early 1980s, so every special effect and stunt had to be done the pre-CGI way.
It was also done in a more permissive era of parenting. Basement rooms are caught on fire, a young actor is dragged behind a truck on a dirt road, a furnace is deconstructed into an Egyptian idol and crashed through a precariously-built wall. And of course, there is the matter of that enormous boulder in the film's show-stopping signature scene.
Funny, engaging, and almost as crazy and unexpected as the original "Raiders" film itself, this is one of those books that I'd recommend to anyone looking for a quirky nonfiction read.
The sheer dedication of these kids in their single-minded way is impressive--made even more so by the fact that this was the early 1980s, so every special effect and stunt had to be done the pre-CGI way.
It was also done in a more permissive era of parenting. Basement rooms are caught on fire, a young actor is dragged behind a truck on a dirt road, a furnace is deconstructed into an Egyptian idol and crashed through a precariously-built wall. And of course, there is the matter of that enormous boulder in the film's show-stopping signature scene.
Funny, engaging, and almost as crazy and unexpected as the original "Raiders" film itself, this is one of those books that I'd recommend to anyone looking for a quirky nonfiction read.
December 21, 2014
SLJ starred review:
EISENSTOCK, Alan with Eric Zala & Chris Strompolos. Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made. 320p. Thomas Dunne. 2012. Tr $25.99. ISBN 978-1-250-00147-4. LC 2012035374.
Adult/High School–When two pre-teens decided to re-create the iconic Raiders of the Lost Ark movie, they had no idea what they were getting into, or that they were forging a friendship that would last long past the cut of the camera. Zala used his role as director to explore his abilities to prepare and be ready for any situation while Strompolos worked through his insecurities and body-image doubts by inhabiting Indiana Jones. Stubbornly, they spent each summer between 1981 and 1989 conceiving, casting, and recasting parts, filming and substituting when necessity demanded. Where were they going to get a submarine in gulf-coast Mississippi? They literally grew up on camera as their friend Jayson Lamb documented everything. Their sheer determination to finish is inspiring and a little frightening, skirting the edge of obsession. Against seemingly insurmountable odds, Eric and Chris and Jayson did what they set out todo: remake Raiders of the Lost Ark, shot for shot. Surprisingly, creating the boulder became one of the production’s biggest sticking points, working as metaphor for Eric and Chris’ lives, friendship, ambitions, and love, and illustrating their struggle to get one of the lynchpins of the entire project to work, but never giving up. Raiders! has a great narrative flow that reads like fiction and would make an excellent choice for teens interested in filmmaking, pop-culture history, and those who just enjoy a good story.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
EISENSTOCK, Alan with Eric Zala & Chris Strompolos. Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made. 320p. Thomas Dunne. 2012. Tr $25.99. ISBN 978-1-250-00147-4. LC 2012035374.
Adult/High School–When two pre-teens decided to re-create the iconic Raiders of the Lost Ark movie, they had no idea what they were getting into, or that they were forging a friendship that would last long past the cut of the camera. Zala used his role as director to explore his abilities to prepare and be ready for any situation while Strompolos worked through his insecurities and body-image doubts by inhabiting Indiana Jones. Stubbornly, they spent each summer between 1981 and 1989 conceiving, casting, and recasting parts, filming and substituting when necessity demanded. Where were they going to get a submarine in gulf-coast Mississippi? They literally grew up on camera as their friend Jayson Lamb documented everything. Their sheer determination to finish is inspiring and a little frightening, skirting the edge of obsession. Against seemingly insurmountable odds, Eric and Chris and Jayson did what they set out todo: remake Raiders of the Lost Ark, shot for shot. Surprisingly, creating the boulder became one of the production’s biggest sticking points, working as metaphor for Eric and Chris’ lives, friendship, ambitions, and love, and illustrating their struggle to get one of the lynchpins of the entire project to work, but never giving up. Raiders! has a great narrative flow that reads like fiction and would make an excellent choice for teens interested in filmmaking, pop-culture history, and those who just enjoy a good story.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI
January 13, 2013
Been a long time since I was compelled to read anything nonstop. Over the course of 7 years, a group of kids in Mississippi made a shot-for-shot remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark. This is the story of that film, as told by its star and director. I was at the 2002 Butt-Numb-A-Thon screening which first got Raiders: The Adaptation its cult notoriety, and saw from the Nepal bar scene to Indy & Marion's escape from the Well of Souls. I can attest that the crowd reaction went down as described. We were awed by the kids' ingenuity in making this work, and were audibly disappointed they had to shut it off to start showing The Two Towers.
I highly doubt Raiders: The Adaptation will ever see the wider release (as a DVD extra, perhaps) that has been talked about -- too much legal red tape. And a cinematic version of the making-of is equally unlikely, as the cast would have to age 7 years convincingly onscreen. This book, plus a well-timed screening or a torrent, is your best opportunity to experience the goofy magic.
I highly doubt Raiders: The Adaptation will ever see the wider release (as a DVD extra, perhaps) that has been talked about -- too much legal red tape. And a cinematic version of the making-of is equally unlikely, as the cast would have to age 7 years convincingly onscreen. This book, plus a well-timed screening or a torrent, is your best opportunity to experience the goofy magic.
October 15, 2015
The closing film of the Milwaukee Film Festival in 2015 was a documentary titled Raiders! which told the story of a youthful attempt to make a shot-for-shot remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark, and the struggle to shoot the last scene more than two decades later. It was hugely interesting and fun and led to my wanting to read this book, which fleshes out the backstory of how the film came to be made. I really enjoyed reading this book and sacrificed some sleep to finish it. I'm glad I got to read it before seeing the actual remake of the film, which I will be receiving shortly in the mail after making a donation to the filmmakers. I guess you could say I'm a fan!
December 2, 2014
I love these guys! I freaking love these guys.
I'm lucky enough to know them a little personally, and even luckier to be working on the post process of the missing plane scene now, but I just finished this book and I just loved meeting these two wonderful people I thought I knew.
I wonderful story of friendship.
I'm lucky enough to know them a little personally, and even luckier to be working on the post process of the missing plane scene now, but I just finished this book and I just loved meeting these two wonderful people I thought I knew.
I wonderful story of friendship.
January 22, 2023
As a fan of the documentary about the Raiders of the Lost Ark adaptation, I absolutely loved this book. You probably already know the story: Chris Strompolous and Eric Zala, two kids from the Mississippi Gulf coast, set out to remake Raiders of the Lost Ark shot-for-shot over seven years in the early 1980s. Their movie was eventually discovered, which led to wider releases and a meeting with Steven Spielberg himself.
While the documentary covers the basics of how the kids pulled off filming, the book takes the documentary's detail to the next level, with play-by-plays of how they figured out (or, sometimes, failed to figure out) hugely complicated effects like the boulder, Belloq's exploding head, the burning Nepal bar, and even the moving red line on the map. It's a treat for those who wondered how they did it, especially with their limited resources.
But beyond the fandom aspect, in this book author Alan Eisenstock tells a story centering not only on Strompolous and Zala's tumultuous but powerful friendship, but on their grapples with the creative process and an enormous film project they started when they were in middle school and grew to resent at times. Their mixture of pride, excitement, embarrassment, and in one critical scene, utter disgust with the project will no doubt resonate with creative people who've felt frustrated with their own projects after long periods. Unlike in the documentary, the jealous love triangle that drives Strompolous and Zala apart is vividly told with nothing held back, creating a gripping subplot, and the book's most powerful section, "Ice," chronicles the years after the movie was finally finished and the two friends began drifting apart. This recounting of the boys' later years stands out as a cautionary tale about the tumultuous paths that so many aspiring filmmakers, writers, and musicians experience in adulthood as they face the twin hazards of selling out to a corporate job (Eric) or descending into the miasma of unfocused laziness (Chris), and is something that everyone looking to forge a creative life should read.
This is a riveting, powerful, inspirational book for both adolescents and adults -- anyone who's either looking to follow a dream, or already has.
While the documentary covers the basics of how the kids pulled off filming, the book takes the documentary's detail to the next level, with play-by-plays of how they figured out (or, sometimes, failed to figure out) hugely complicated effects like the boulder, Belloq's exploding head, the burning Nepal bar, and even the moving red line on the map. It's a treat for those who wondered how they did it, especially with their limited resources.
But beyond the fandom aspect, in this book author Alan Eisenstock tells a story centering not only on Strompolous and Zala's tumultuous but powerful friendship, but on their grapples with the creative process and an enormous film project they started when they were in middle school and grew to resent at times. Their mixture of pride, excitement, embarrassment, and in one critical scene, utter disgust with the project will no doubt resonate with creative people who've felt frustrated with their own projects after long periods. Unlike in the documentary, the jealous love triangle that drives Strompolous and Zala apart is vividly told with nothing held back, creating a gripping subplot, and the book's most powerful section, "Ice," chronicles the years after the movie was finally finished and the two friends began drifting apart. This recounting of the boys' later years stands out as a cautionary tale about the tumultuous paths that so many aspiring filmmakers, writers, and musicians experience in adulthood as they face the twin hazards of selling out to a corporate job (Eric) or descending into the miasma of unfocused laziness (Chris), and is something that everyone looking to forge a creative life should read.
This is a riveting, powerful, inspirational book for both adolescents and adults -- anyone who's either looking to follow a dream, or already has.
August 15, 2018
I bought my copy of this book directly from Eric Zala at a screening of the documentary about his fan film remake of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' mainly because after seeing everything he and his friends went through, I wanted to give him money. Now, having read the book, and learned more about all the slings and arrows they suffered on the long road from childhood in Mississippi in the 1980s to sitting down with Steven Spielberg, I wish I had given him a hug.
April 13, 2018
Being someone who grew up during the same years and also making movies as a kid, I related to this story in a big way. It really moved me, both because of the story and the way it was told.
I actually did a video review of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp4RO...
I actually did a video review of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp4RO...
January 21, 2020
Very fun book. I thought at first there was too much about the divorces and messy parts of life, but then realised it is just a true story and that happens.
The enthusiasm and energy for the project comes through and the us and downs become your ups and downs. Very fun book.
The enthusiasm and energy for the project comes through and the us and downs become your ups and downs. Very fun book.
January 25, 2017
I tore through this book in two days. I was fascinated by the story of these guys and their wonderful little movie.
December 1, 2012
I received a hardcover copy of this novel from the publisher for review.
Endearing and Enchanting
★★★★★
Like many who will read this book, I was already familiar with the basics of the story. I read what I could about it, found the trailer online, and even reached out to the filmmakers at one point in an unsuccessful bid to bring them to my city, just so I could see the film in its entirety. Ironically, perhaps, that was seven years ago.
But where I regrettably failed in my quest to experience the magic of this film, author Alan Eisenstock has thankfully succeeded in bringing the story to life with Raiders!.
I should start out by saying that I have never read this type of book before, so the concept and writing style of biographical fiction was new for me and took a little getting used to. Because of the narrative nature, I found myself more than once wondering where the lines blurred between fact and fiction; by the end of the book, I came to the conclusion that it was only in the minor details.
The story actually started a little slow for my taste, beginning with Eric Zala just before, during, and immediately after Hurricane Katrina, detailing the devastation left in its wake of Eric’s family home. While these scenes felt a little lengthy and extraneous at first, their importance was felt later on.
The slow buildup was, in fact, an establishment of styles. Eric’s story is methodical, organized – just like Eric himself. Eisenstock switches his style of prose when introducing Chris; although not overt, there is a frenetic energy that moves it along quickly, giving you the sense that he is on “Hollywood time” – totally appropriate for Chris’s story and personality. The two styles seem to mesh when the kids come together, and the result is nothing short of charming.
So while it did take a bit for Raiders! to get rolling (no pun intended), it leapt into the story enough to really hold my interest somewhere in the 50-page range. Around page 67, my cheeks suddenly felt sore, and I realized it was because I had been smiling ever since.
While still not my favorite genre, perhaps it is a strength of biographical fiction to allow you into the thoughts and feelings of the people portrayed, insights that might elude capture in other forms.
In describing the early years of the boys’ project, I honestly felt 12-years old again, that unique time when the imagination left over from youth coupled with the feeling that you can accomplish anything transforms into an alchemy of inspired creativity, and that spirit was really captured in these chapters.
While I was a wannabe fan of Raiders: The Adaptation before, I never really appreciated what Eric, Chris, and their friends went through to make this film. My recollections of the original Raiders was a bit fuzzy, and as more details of the scope and magnitude of the remake production were revealed, I couldn’t help but alternately giggle (as a former pre-teen) and cringe (as a current mom). The ingenuity and creativity Eric and Chris displayed is unbelievably impressive, second only to the awe-inspiring level of dedication required to finish this labor of love over the course of SEVEN YEARS.
The last few sections feel a little bit rushed and, in some ways, unfinished; the same dedication has been paid to the well-constructed prose, but it feels almost as if there are pieces missing when compared to the chapters before – but the strengths of the earlier storytelling makes it easy to forgive any minor faults.
The last section of the book covers a contemplative, post-Raiders period in the lives of the boys-turned-men, replete with fluctuating highs and lows. Parts of it are sobering, melancholy, and brought up feelings about my own life that I hadn’t expected. I know it’s a tired cliché to say, “It made me laugh! It made me cry!” But it really did – not howls of laughter or body-shaking sobs, but the book genuinely moved me, and it’s one that will be passed around to my friends and family before ultimately finding its place on my bookshelf of treasured tomes.
The only photos in the book are on the dust jacket, and you won’t really lose anything if you get the digital version. Devotees, however, will likely want to spring for the hardcover.
All in all, Raiders! really does capture the magic of “the greatest fan film ever made” and gives you insights into its wild popularity; after reading, you will understand why, for a film that rarely sees the light of day, it has developed a large cult following.
While I still lament not being able to arrange or attend a screening, reading this book feels like the next best thing to seeing the film itself.
Highly recommended.
A Zwoodle Books Review
Endearing and Enchanting
★★★★★
Like many who will read this book, I was already familiar with the basics of the story. I read what I could about it, found the trailer online, and even reached out to the filmmakers at one point in an unsuccessful bid to bring them to my city, just so I could see the film in its entirety. Ironically, perhaps, that was seven years ago.
But where I regrettably failed in my quest to experience the magic of this film, author Alan Eisenstock has thankfully succeeded in bringing the story to life with Raiders!.
I should start out by saying that I have never read this type of book before, so the concept and writing style of biographical fiction was new for me and took a little getting used to. Because of the narrative nature, I found myself more than once wondering where the lines blurred between fact and fiction; by the end of the book, I came to the conclusion that it was only in the minor details.
The story actually started a little slow for my taste, beginning with Eric Zala just before, during, and immediately after Hurricane Katrina, detailing the devastation left in its wake of Eric’s family home. While these scenes felt a little lengthy and extraneous at first, their importance was felt later on.
The slow buildup was, in fact, an establishment of styles. Eric’s story is methodical, organized – just like Eric himself. Eisenstock switches his style of prose when introducing Chris; although not overt, there is a frenetic energy that moves it along quickly, giving you the sense that he is on “Hollywood time” – totally appropriate for Chris’s story and personality. The two styles seem to mesh when the kids come together, and the result is nothing short of charming.
So while it did take a bit for Raiders! to get rolling (no pun intended), it leapt into the story enough to really hold my interest somewhere in the 50-page range. Around page 67, my cheeks suddenly felt sore, and I realized it was because I had been smiling ever since.
While still not my favorite genre, perhaps it is a strength of biographical fiction to allow you into the thoughts and feelings of the people portrayed, insights that might elude capture in other forms.
In describing the early years of the boys’ project, I honestly felt 12-years old again, that unique time when the imagination left over from youth coupled with the feeling that you can accomplish anything transforms into an alchemy of inspired creativity, and that spirit was really captured in these chapters.
While I was a wannabe fan of Raiders: The Adaptation before, I never really appreciated what Eric, Chris, and their friends went through to make this film. My recollections of the original Raiders was a bit fuzzy, and as more details of the scope and magnitude of the remake production were revealed, I couldn’t help but alternately giggle (as a former pre-teen) and cringe (as a current mom). The ingenuity and creativity Eric and Chris displayed is unbelievably impressive, second only to the awe-inspiring level of dedication required to finish this labor of love over the course of SEVEN YEARS.
The last few sections feel a little bit rushed and, in some ways, unfinished; the same dedication has been paid to the well-constructed prose, but it feels almost as if there are pieces missing when compared to the chapters before – but the strengths of the earlier storytelling makes it easy to forgive any minor faults.
The last section of the book covers a contemplative, post-Raiders period in the lives of the boys-turned-men, replete with fluctuating highs and lows. Parts of it are sobering, melancholy, and brought up feelings about my own life that I hadn’t expected. I know it’s a tired cliché to say, “It made me laugh! It made me cry!” But it really did – not howls of laughter or body-shaking sobs, but the book genuinely moved me, and it’s one that will be passed around to my friends and family before ultimately finding its place on my bookshelf of treasured tomes.
The only photos in the book are on the dust jacket, and you won’t really lose anything if you get the digital version. Devotees, however, will likely want to spring for the hardcover.
All in all, Raiders! really does capture the magic of “the greatest fan film ever made” and gives you insights into its wild popularity; after reading, you will understand why, for a film that rarely sees the light of day, it has developed a large cult following.
While I still lament not being able to arrange or attend a screening, reading this book feels like the next best thing to seeing the film itself.
Highly recommended.
A Zwoodle Books Review
May 31, 2016
May 30, 2003.
It was exactly seven years before my wedding day, though of course I didn't know that at the time. It was also the last day of school of my fourth year of teaching, followed by the annual end-of-school teacher boat party. My current boyfriend (not future husband) had bought tickets for us to see this weird movie at the Alamo Drafthouse. It was a remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark done by kids and it was showing at midnight. Oh and the kids who made the movie, grown up now, were going to be there. I thought it sounded pretty cool, and I still had the stamina of a girl in her twenties, so I agreed.
That Friday, I got up at 6:30AM, herded hyperactive middle schoolers through the talent shows and yearbook signings and award ceremonies of the last day of school, went to the teacher luncheon and end-of-year meetings, partied on Large Marge the Party Barge with a bunch of other summer-crazed teachers, grabbed a shower and a Starbucks chai, and met my boyfriend at the Alamo Drafthouse to see this crazy movie. When we arrived, there was a long line outside the theater. We joined it.
I was excited that summer vacation had finally arrived, excited to be free and out on a date, excited (sort of) to see the movie. But I was also really, really tired. The line grew longer. The wait seemed endless. The movie, it was obvious, was going to start a little late. By the time we got to our seats and ordered food (one of the many beauties of the Alamo Drafthouse) I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes open for the whole thing.
Then this guy came on stage and started telling us what an amazing treat we were in for. He explained that these boys in Mississippi in the 1980s fell in love with Indiana Jones and decided they wanted to remake Raiders of the Lost Ark. And they did. Shot for shot. And it took them eight years to do it.
He had my attention.
I was still skeptical though. Even when he told us that they really did set their basement on fire for the bar scene, even when he revealed that they actually got a submarine to use for their shoot, even when he promised that this was, in fact, the greatest fan film ever made, I still thought I was going to be seeing some little kids playing "movie" in their mommy's living room. Cheesy.
And then the movie started. And I was blown away.
The movie itself was incredible and then afterwards listening to Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos talk about it brought tears to my eyes. It was just so apparent that I was witnessing something magical, not just on film, but in front of me in the lifelong friendship of the creators. I didn't get home until after 3:00AM that night, but it was all worth it.
You can ask anyone-- my husband, my friends, my family-- I have been talking about this thing ever since I saw it. So when I found out that this book was coming out, I couldn't wait to read it. This book is awesome. Rarely will you find a story as endearing as this one. No, it's not the best literature in the world. But after ten years of wondering how they made the boulder and who did their special effects and what kept them going for so long, I finally held the answers. Their story is as amazing as their movie. However, I'm not sure it would be for someone who hasn't seen the film. So what you need to do, right now, is find out if there is going to be a screening anywhere within 200 miles of where you are. And then go see it. And then read this book. And then see the movie again and let your jaw drop appreciatively in honor of what these kids accomplished. And then wonder, as I did, how they managed not to kill themselves in the process.
The only complaint I have about the book is that it lacked images. I wanted pictures of the kids, the house, the basement, the mess, the beautiful storyboards that Eric drew for each shot. Maybe they're saving those for the next book. If so, I'll buy that one too.
It was exactly seven years before my wedding day, though of course I didn't know that at the time. It was also the last day of school of my fourth year of teaching, followed by the annual end-of-school teacher boat party. My current boyfriend (not future husband) had bought tickets for us to see this weird movie at the Alamo Drafthouse. It was a remake of Raiders of the Lost Ark done by kids and it was showing at midnight. Oh and the kids who made the movie, grown up now, were going to be there. I thought it sounded pretty cool, and I still had the stamina of a girl in her twenties, so I agreed.
That Friday, I got up at 6:30AM, herded hyperactive middle schoolers through the talent shows and yearbook signings and award ceremonies of the last day of school, went to the teacher luncheon and end-of-year meetings, partied on Large Marge the Party Barge with a bunch of other summer-crazed teachers, grabbed a shower and a Starbucks chai, and met my boyfriend at the Alamo Drafthouse to see this crazy movie. When we arrived, there was a long line outside the theater. We joined it.
I was excited that summer vacation had finally arrived, excited to be free and out on a date, excited (sort of) to see the movie. But I was also really, really tired. The line grew longer. The wait seemed endless. The movie, it was obvious, was going to start a little late. By the time we got to our seats and ordered food (one of the many beauties of the Alamo Drafthouse) I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep my eyes open for the whole thing.
Then this guy came on stage and started telling us what an amazing treat we were in for. He explained that these boys in Mississippi in the 1980s fell in love with Indiana Jones and decided they wanted to remake Raiders of the Lost Ark. And they did. Shot for shot. And it took them eight years to do it.
He had my attention.
I was still skeptical though. Even when he told us that they really did set their basement on fire for the bar scene, even when he revealed that they actually got a submarine to use for their shoot, even when he promised that this was, in fact, the greatest fan film ever made, I still thought I was going to be seeing some little kids playing "movie" in their mommy's living room. Cheesy.
And then the movie started. And I was blown away.
The movie itself was incredible and then afterwards listening to Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos talk about it brought tears to my eyes. It was just so apparent that I was witnessing something magical, not just on film, but in front of me in the lifelong friendship of the creators. I didn't get home until after 3:00AM that night, but it was all worth it.
You can ask anyone-- my husband, my friends, my family-- I have been talking about this thing ever since I saw it. So when I found out that this book was coming out, I couldn't wait to read it. This book is awesome. Rarely will you find a story as endearing as this one. No, it's not the best literature in the world. But after ten years of wondering how they made the boulder and who did their special effects and what kept them going for so long, I finally held the answers. Their story is as amazing as their movie. However, I'm not sure it would be for someone who hasn't seen the film. So what you need to do, right now, is find out if there is going to be a screening anywhere within 200 miles of where you are. And then go see it. And then read this book. And then see the movie again and let your jaw drop appreciatively in honor of what these kids accomplished. And then wonder, as I did, how they managed not to kill themselves in the process.
The only complaint I have about the book is that it lacked images. I wanted pictures of the kids, the house, the basement, the mess, the beautiful storyboards that Eric drew for each shot. Maybe they're saving those for the next book. If so, I'll buy that one too.
November 29, 2013
I laughed, I cried, I was awe-struck. Two boys, Eric Zala and Chris Strompolos, were 12 and 11 respectively in 1982 when they decided to re-make Raiders of the Lost Ark as a summer project. For seven consecutive summers, these boys designed, filmed, and edited their loving, shot-for-shot homage to Steven Spielberg's blockbuster action movie about a treasure-hunting archaeologist. Eric directed and acted. Chris acted and produced. They scoured their hometown and the surrounding countryside on the Gulf coast of Mississippi for props, costumes, locations, and other kids to be their cast and crew. Along the way, they discovered how to (and how not to) make a boulder, kiss a girl, stage a fire, blow up a truck, and melt a face. They grew up on and off screen, found and fought over girlfriends, suffered their mothers' divorces and re-marriages, and formed a bond that has lasted to the present day (although not without some periods of loathing and estrangement from each other).
This story of the making of what has been called the best fan film ever is based on interviews and the over 40 hours of footage the boys filmed on a borrowed Betamax camera. Alan Eisenstock wrote the book in the style of a novel in the present tense (rather than as a non-fiction "making of" book in the past tense), which gives his tale a sense of immediacy and uncertainty about the future that suits the story perfectly. The trials and tribulations Eric and Chris endured to make their movie are hilarious, astounding, endearing, and resolved with the kind of enthusiasm and ingenuity that only teenage boys can conjure.
It takes a surprising turn as the then-young men go their separate ways to college. Both have dreams of turning their teenage hobby into careers, but real life gets in the way. One ends up a well-paid middle manager while the other has a troubled time of dead-end jobs, drugs, and bad relationships. What they don't know is that a few copies of their tape are out there in the world. As more and more people see it and love it, word gets around. Eventually, even Spielberg hears about it. How he responds changes everything for the two grown men, who hadn't spoken to each other for years.
It's about film making, coming of age, not giving up or giving in, and friendship. This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time.
This story of the making of what has been called the best fan film ever is based on interviews and the over 40 hours of footage the boys filmed on a borrowed Betamax camera. Alan Eisenstock wrote the book in the style of a novel in the present tense (rather than as a non-fiction "making of" book in the past tense), which gives his tale a sense of immediacy and uncertainty about the future that suits the story perfectly. The trials and tribulations Eric and Chris endured to make their movie are hilarious, astounding, endearing, and resolved with the kind of enthusiasm and ingenuity that only teenage boys can conjure.
It takes a surprising turn as the then-young men go their separate ways to college. Both have dreams of turning their teenage hobby into careers, but real life gets in the way. One ends up a well-paid middle manager while the other has a troubled time of dead-end jobs, drugs, and bad relationships. What they don't know is that a few copies of their tape are out there in the world. As more and more people see it and love it, word gets around. Eventually, even Spielberg hears about it. How he responds changes everything for the two grown men, who hadn't spoken to each other for years.
It's about film making, coming of age, not giving up or giving in, and friendship. This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time.
March 28, 2016
Raiders!
Some people remember exactly where they were when the moon landing occurred, or when the Twin Towers were hit. I remember where I was when I first saw Raiders of the Lost Ark. It was on holiday with my family in Greece, and nothing up until that point had prepared me for the visceral impact a movie could have.
As I walked back through the dark Mediterranean night from the screening (organised by the hotel's youth club), my twelve-year-old mind reeled with the images seared into my impressionable brain. The hotel cacti and palms lining my way had transformed into the jungles of South America, the staircase down towards the Aegean suddenly eerily reminiscent of the other if the giant boulder. Never before had I realised that it was possible o be a bookish nerd (like I was) and still be the adventurous hero! It was nothing short of an epiphany, and my life would never be the same again.
Imagine my delight, then, when decades later, I excavate this treasure of a book (not from a hidden temple but from the strata of ignored paperwork accumulated over two decades of office work, where a colleague must have placed it without me realising it) about two boys who - having seen the movie at the same age I was - set out to recreate it. It's a tale of a labour of love, but also a familiar story of coming of age, and the realisation that there is simultaneously more and less to life than an adventurer like Indy could ever tell us. Yes, you can get the girl (I finally got to kiss both my childhood sweethearts Pernilla and Annika on my thirteenth birthday), and no, the likelihood of you discovering a secret chamber behind Tutankhamen's burial vault isn't great (but hey, you never know!), but adventures are still there to be had, if you approach life the right way. As heart-warming and exciting a yarn as Spielberg and Lucas ever spun.
Some people remember exactly where they were when the moon landing occurred, or when the Twin Towers were hit. I remember where I was when I first saw Raiders of the Lost Ark. It was on holiday with my family in Greece, and nothing up until that point had prepared me for the visceral impact a movie could have.
As I walked back through the dark Mediterranean night from the screening (organised by the hotel's youth club), my twelve-year-old mind reeled with the images seared into my impressionable brain. The hotel cacti and palms lining my way had transformed into the jungles of South America, the staircase down towards the Aegean suddenly eerily reminiscent of the other if the giant boulder. Never before had I realised that it was possible o be a bookish nerd (like I was) and still be the adventurous hero! It was nothing short of an epiphany, and my life would never be the same again.
Imagine my delight, then, when decades later, I excavate this treasure of a book (not from a hidden temple but from the strata of ignored paperwork accumulated over two decades of office work, where a colleague must have placed it without me realising it) about two boys who - having seen the movie at the same age I was - set out to recreate it. It's a tale of a labour of love, but also a familiar story of coming of age, and the realisation that there is simultaneously more and less to life than an adventurer like Indy could ever tell us. Yes, you can get the girl (I finally got to kiss both my childhood sweethearts Pernilla and Annika on my thirteenth birthday), and no, the likelihood of you discovering a secret chamber behind Tutankhamen's burial vault isn't great (but hey, you never know!), but adventures are still there to be had, if you approach life the right way. As heart-warming and exciting a yarn as Spielberg and Lucas ever spun.
November 4, 2013
Back in 2003, I remember seeing the review from Ain't It Cool News? regarding the adaptation. I shifted through the internet looking for a download. It wasn't until years later I found one, watched this glorious piece of work, I saved it to a disc to have and to hold forever. Was it my love for Indy - raised on the films since I was a babe? Or was it that I always wanted to do the same thing? Create an ~amazing fan film~ like they did?
Whatever the reason, it was amazing finding what I could on the internet. But I hungered for more, I wanted to know more about what went on behind the scenes between takes, the 'creation' of the sets, the overall experience leading up to now.
Being that I created a group on fb for the film, and being that Chris is a part of said group, when a link was posted (by him) about this book: I knew I had to have it. So I ordered it and quickly began to read it.
I gotta admit, I was pretty entertained. I felt by the end of the book I knew them. I think the author did a good job of working together with Chris and Eric in getting a constancy that did not feel unreal or 'fake'. Though I kind of admit, I was a bit skeptical of the the conversations (of how much dialogue one could recover from years ago). Overall, I felt that it kept in tone what the kids would think of or say during that time.
The only reason I did not give the book a full five stars is that the pieces of the notebook wasn't scanned into the book, or other pieces of their work (like storyboards, drawings, etc.). Seems other people felt saddened by that decision (or lack of) as well.
I think the book was a great read. I can easily see this as being the precursor to the eventual film. :)
Whatever the reason, it was amazing finding what I could on the internet. But I hungered for more, I wanted to know more about what went on behind the scenes between takes, the 'creation' of the sets, the overall experience leading up to now.
Being that I created a group on fb for the film, and being that Chris is a part of said group, when a link was posted (by him) about this book: I knew I had to have it. So I ordered it and quickly began to read it.
I gotta admit, I was pretty entertained. I felt by the end of the book I knew them. I think the author did a good job of working together with Chris and Eric in getting a constancy that did not feel unreal or 'fake'. Though I kind of admit, I was a bit skeptical of the the conversations (of how much dialogue one could recover from years ago). Overall, I felt that it kept in tone what the kids would think of or say during that time.
The only reason I did not give the book a full five stars is that the pieces of the notebook wasn't scanned into the book, or other pieces of their work (like storyboards, drawings, etc.). Seems other people felt saddened by that decision (or lack of) as well.
I think the book was a great read. I can easily see this as being the precursor to the eventual film. :)
November 8, 2012
I was fortunate enough to read this book before release (I was given an ARC while doing interviews with the subjects and author), but I would have bought the book at full price and strongly recommend it. If you enjoyed RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, have an interest in film or filmmaking, or just want a really fun read, this is a book you should not miss.
Although non-fiction, RAIDERS! reads like a fast-paced adventure novel. Eisenstock's meticulous research and fantastic writing skills make it easy to forget you're reading at all.
RAIDERS! THE STORY OF THE GREATEST FAN FILM EVER MADE chronicles the history, making, and success of Raiders of the Lost Ark: the Adaptation, a film by then-teenage filmmakers Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala which reproduced, scene for scene and effect for effect, Steven Spielberg's epic RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. In addition to describing the film and it's making, RAIDERS! chronicles the lifelong friendship - and sometimes disputes - between Zala and Strompolos, allowing the reader to share their triumphs, despairs, and often hilarious misadventures.
For more:
An interview with author Alan Eisenstock: http://www.susanspann.com/?p=2051
An interview with filmmakers Chris Strompolos and Eric Zala: http://www.susanspann.com/?p=2001
December 28, 2024
I checked this book out from the local library. I have said it before, and I'll repeat it here: I am a complete sucker for the "making of the movie" genre of books. This one stands out from the crowd because it's about a group of kids living in Ocean Springs, MS who in the 1980's decide to make a shot-by-shot recreation of the film "Raiders of the Lost Ark." None of these kids had any previous film-making experience. When they started the project as 11 or 12 year olds, they had no camera, no sets, no props, no costumes, no cast, and no budget other than their allowances. But the core team of Eric, Chris and Jayson got started, recruited their classmates, and over the following 7 summers they shot the entire film, with the exception of the part involving the Nazi flying wing airplane. It's a story of astounding determination and moxie on the part of these kids. The story doesn't pull any punches and also includes the on-set accidents, arguments, and broken friendships. Years after the film was completed and all but forgotten by the people who made it, it burst upon the cultural scene thanks to the internet, finally bringing a measure of fame and recognition to the film makers. I have never seen the fan film; guess I'll have to buy a copy on DVD. Four out of five stars.
January 30, 2013
It’s a story about a movie (visual experience) and an “adaption” movie (visual response) told in written word and the result is a lacking reader experience. This could have been easily fixed by inserting photos as visual aids, even if only a few screen shots of scenes that had significant stories in the book. And after waiting for the big moment of when the boys would be rewarded with a letter from Steven Spielberg, the book only shares the first line and closing statement. Getting a sliver of the big moment was disappointing. I wasn’t a big fan of the overall story structure.
However, I’m truly impressed by what Eric and Chris were able to do and their dedication to completing the movie. There are funny stories of interacting with the local police as kids fail to recognize that they need movie permits or at least warn their neighbors that they would be shooting plaster and not to panic.
After reading the book, you really want to see the movie and after a feverish search on Amazon, it’s not for sale. There is no information, in the book, on how you can see the movie, other than waiting for Eric and Chris to tour the movie in your area. Bummer.
However, I’m truly impressed by what Eric and Chris were able to do and their dedication to completing the movie. There are funny stories of interacting with the local police as kids fail to recognize that they need movie permits or at least warn their neighbors that they would be shooting plaster and not to panic.
After reading the book, you really want to see the movie and after a feverish search on Amazon, it’s not for sale. There is no information, in the book, on how you can see the movie, other than waiting for Eric and Chris to tour the movie in your area. Bummer.
February 19, 2013
This funny, heartwarming book tells the story of two young men who spent seven summers of their teenage years creating a nearly shot for shot remake of the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark in rural Mississippi. They sweet-talked classmates into wearing grass skirts, borrowed camera equipment from the TV station one of their moms worked at, used a gravel pit as the desert and otherwise, schemed, wheedled and occasionally appropriated what they needed to fulfill their vision. While it was Chris Strompolos' idea to play Indiana Jones, he talked Eric Zala into becoming the director of this massive endeavor. Not only did these two boys show amazing creativity and stick-to-it-ive-ness throughout a tumultuous part of their lives, but the story of what happened to their film afterwards is literally a dream come true for both of them. Eisenstock does a great job of bringing their story to life, writing with empathy about two kids escaping their own lives through the creative act of filmmaking. I’d recommend this book to anyone interested in the personal side of amateur film making and ended up buying this book on Kindle to share with my husband.
January 8, 2014
I was lucky enough to be able to see Chris and Eric's epic on the big screen. Their remake of Raiders is a testament to their perseverance and ingenuity. This book is much more than that story though. It is a tale of friendship through thick and thin. It is about what it was like growing up in the latter twenty years of the 20th Century, before the internet, DVD and Netflix. Eric and Chris do what many young people set out to do: make a movie. They decide to remake Raiders of the Lost Ark, directing a producing it themselves. Starring various of their friends and relatives, they succeed in putting almost everything on screen in this remake.
If you have chance to view Raiders: The Adaptation, I strongly recommend you take advantage of the opportunity. This book is an excellent companion and almost a substitute to the movie itself. It has been optioned by a producer, so it may be coming to a theater near you someday. Keep your fingers crossed.
If you have chance to view Raiders: The Adaptation, I strongly recommend you take advantage of the opportunity. This book is an excellent companion and almost a substitute to the movie itself. It has been optioned by a producer, so it may be coming to a theater near you someday. Keep your fingers crossed.
July 23, 2015
I've been a huge fan of the (fan)movie for a long time, but I did not learn about this book before last year's kickstarter to finish the movie. The story of how they made their fanmovie is super interesting, and it's the reason why I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. The people involved must have been really honest, as the author does not seem compelled to only show them at their best.
I do, however, disagree with how the story is told. By writing the book as a novel, it feels like the author allows himself to fill in missing parts by making stuff up, and making the story more interesting by adding some dramatic flair. The same things can be said about someone's memoirs - memories are just as untrustworthy. But adding this extra "level of seperation" from the actual story lessens the story itself. To me, at least.
I haven't seen the documentary (yet!), but I'm sure this story is better told in that format.
I do, however, disagree with how the story is told. By writing the book as a novel, it feels like the author allows himself to fill in missing parts by making stuff up, and making the story more interesting by adding some dramatic flair. The same things can be said about someone's memoirs - memories are just as untrustworthy. But adding this extra "level of seperation" from the actual story lessens the story itself. To me, at least.
I haven't seen the documentary (yet!), but I'm sure this story is better told in that format.
April 22, 2013
I wanted to like this book, but I only got through the first 200 pages before I gave up. I came into this expecting a fun little autobiography filled with colorful pictures. Sadly, there are no pictures of any kind. There is a lot of angst, and if you like stories about divorce and drinking, this may be for you.
It feels like a fiction novel inspired by a true story. Either that or the writer must have an excellent memory to recall all those conversations in such detail 20 years later. I found myself skimming whole chapters hoping to get to the "good stuff." It certainly isn't the worst book I've ever read, but I'm really disappointed as an Indy fan and an 80s baby. Again, I wanted to like this book, but it just didn't click.
It feels like a fiction novel inspired by a true story. Either that or the writer must have an excellent memory to recall all those conversations in such detail 20 years later. I found myself skimming whole chapters hoping to get to the "good stuff." It certainly isn't the worst book I've ever read, but I'm really disappointed as an Indy fan and an 80s baby. Again, I wanted to like this book, but it just didn't click.
December 23, 2013
An amazing story about two boys who decide to remake Raiders of the Lost Ark. What they thought would take one summer when they were 12 ended up taking 7 years.
The fact that they completed it at all amazed me, not only that but there were many family and personal issues between the kids but Raiders kept them together, and eventually brought them back together as well.
The book skips huge swaths of time, focusing mostly on when the two were together during the summers to work on their movie so I didn't get quite a feel for what their normal lives were like, but it covered everything movie related with insane detail.
It is a great and compelling story which leaves me with only one question: How can I see this greatest fan film ever made?
The fact that they completed it at all amazed me, not only that but there were many family and personal issues between the kids but Raiders kept them together, and eventually brought them back together as well.
The book skips huge swaths of time, focusing mostly on when the two were together during the summers to work on their movie so I didn't get quite a feel for what their normal lives were like, but it covered everything movie related with insane detail.
It is a great and compelling story which leaves me with only one question: How can I see this greatest fan film ever made?
July 17, 2012
I've preordered this and can't wait to read it!
Full disclosure: it's written about my cousins Eric and Kurt, and I heard many of the pieces of this story when it was really happening.
I also met Alan when he was in Ocean Springs doing his very thorough research. I got to read some of the early drafts and it's going to be a fantastic book. Order now on Amazon, get delivery in November: just in time for holiday gift-giving.
Full disclosure: it's written about my cousins Eric and Kurt, and I heard many of the pieces of this story when it was really happening.
I also met Alan when he was in Ocean Springs doing his very thorough research. I got to read some of the early drafts and it's going to be a fantastic book. Order now on Amazon, get delivery in November: just in time for holiday gift-giving.
May 12, 2013
Transportive. Reminded me so much of my childhood--the friendships...the pre-adolescent propensity for immersion in other worlds, and particularly for a child of the 80s, the merging of individual imagination with the pop culture narratives of the day (think Raiders, Star Wars...anything Lucas or Spielberg for that matter).
The adaptation played in Athens earlier this month, but I was sadly unable to attend. Hope to be able to see it someday soon.
The adaptation played in Athens earlier this month, but I was sadly unable to attend. Hope to be able to see it someday soon.
January 1, 2013
I found this under my tree this Christmas, which was a lovely surprise. Magic, enchanting, and delightful. There is great fun to be had in reading about how these kids created their movie, and the trials they go through in their personal lives are remarkably moving. If you're a movie fan, this is a great book for you. If you like a good story well told, this is also a great book for you.
May 30, 2013
so fun! and how can i get to watch this film?!
i'm super impressed that they were able to complete this fan film after 7 freaking years. that's some serious dedication.
i have hopes that the two friends who have gone on to make a film together in their adult years will succeed, but i have to admit my doubts.
i'm super impressed that they were able to complete this fan film after 7 freaking years. that's some serious dedication.
i have hopes that the two friends who have gone on to make a film together in their adult years will succeed, but i have to admit my doubts.
February 25, 2013
Disclaimer: Raiders is my favorite movie.
I read this book in 12 hours. What an amazing tale of friendship, devotion, commitment and fandom. I literally couldn't put this down, it hit me in the face like 5 times before I was willing to admit I was asleep and set it aside for a couple hours. This is a must read.
I read this book in 12 hours. What an amazing tale of friendship, devotion, commitment and fandom. I literally couldn't put this down, it hit me in the face like 5 times before I was willing to admit I was asleep and set it aside for a couple hours. This is a must read.
April 4, 2013
What a truly amazing story! If you ever need something that illustrates believing in a dream and being willing to persevere through everything to see your dream come true, read this book. Read this book anyway. Then go find "Raiders of the Lost Ark: the Adaptation" somewhere and watch it. Seeing the movie and knowing the story behind it will blow you away.
April 14, 2013
I made a movie When I was a kid, more of an homage to Star Wars, and so I was excited to read this - sounded like fun. The book, however, tells a much bigger and messier story. It reads much more like real life - with fights and divorces and hurricanes. I'm glad I read it, and it made me appreciate my childhood friendships all over again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews