The Romance Theme

Although I first thought this to be another double-duty theme, representing both Marion and the romance to which her and Indiana share, it is quite obvious that this is merely reserved for the scenes of romance in the film. The theme is of typical John Williams beauty. Unfortunately, the great composer did not decide to include it in much of the movie. Perhaps this, in itself, represents the presence of the romance, but the inability in both of them to make anything happen. It should also be noted that the first interval of this beautiful theme, a major sixth, is also the introductory interval to the theme of Harrison Ford's previous screen romance, the princess Leia Organa. This is of particular interest as Empire Strikes Back hit theaters only a year before Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The theme is introduced before we ever meet Marion. This occurs in Indy's house as he and Marcus discuss his new adventure. As they discuss the Ark's whereabouts and who has tried to locate it in the past, Dr. Jones remembers his predecessor's daughter, Marion. At this instance, when he mentions her name to Marcus and the audience is subsequently introduced to the character, the theme is cued. This leads into the Ark Theme, which will be discussed on its own page.

It is interesting that Williams decided to do this, because her actual introduction on screen is void of the theme. Toht's leitmotif and even a possible medallion theme is introduced, but we never hear the theme for Marion. The next cue is not until her and Indy are together and gazing at each other on Sullah's balcony. The theme is brief, but obviously reserved for moments of affection between the two.

Likewise, searching only for affection, the entire scene of Indy chasing Marion's basket through the marketplace is completely void of the theme. However, once her truck has exploded and Indy thinks about what he believes was her death, the theme is cued. The orchestration at this instance is the most obvious link between Marion's romance and Princess Leia's the year before. At this cue, the first interval is drawn out in a long rhubato on French horn, exactly like the cue of Han and Leia's first kiss in Empire Strikes Back.

The Ark Theme is doubled with Marion's upon the couple's reunification in Belloq's tent. Here, the romance theme plays as Indiana unties her. However, as he thinks about the results of her release, the track leads straight into the Ark Theme. This is the second time this has happened and it could symbolize Dr. Jones's priorities, his thoughts for Marion always being overshadowed by "fortune and glory".

The next cue is on-board the ship as Marion nurses the battered doctor. This track needs little discussion, other than this is a scene of obvious affection and, thus, falls in line with where the theme has already taken us. Neither does the next cue require much analysis, accompanying the couple's embrace upon the close of the Ark and the end of the Holy carnage evoked from its opening.

The final cue of this theme occurs in the last scene as Dr. Jones rants and raves about the bureaucratic fools that are in charge of handling the Ark. The theme is unheard during the tyraid, but as Marion asks the doctor for a drink, the track is cued and Indy becomes a lot more mellow. True to form, however, the theme leads right back into the Ark Theme as the Ark is conveniently put away.