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

Mar 14, 2015

1h 33m

★ 6.6

Overview

In 1982, three 11 year-olds in Mississippi set out to remake their favorite film: Raiders of the Lost Ark. It took seven turbulent years that tested the limits of their friendship and nearly burned down their mother's house. By the end, they had completed every scene except one... the explosive airplane scene. 30 years later, they attempt to finally realize their childhood dream by building a replica of the 75 foot "Flying Wing" plane from Raiders in a mud pit in the backwoods of Mississippi... and then blow it up! This is the story behind the making of what is known as "the greatest fan film ever made."

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

Jeremy Coon Productions

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

Cast

Self

John Rhys-Davies

Self

Eli Roth

Self

Eric Zala

Self

Chris Strompolos

Self

Jayson Lamb

Self

Kurt Zala

Self

Angela Rodriguez

Self

Guy Klender

Self

Michael Bales

Self

Mark Spain

Self

Harry Jay Knowles

Self

Ernest Cline

In 1967, experimental filmmaker Jorgen Leth created a striking short film, The Perfect Human, starring a man and women sitting in a box while a narrator poses questions about their relationship and humanity. Years later, Danish director Lars von Trier made a deal with Leth to remake his film five times, each under a different set of circumstances and with von Trier's strictly prescribed rules. As Leth completes each challenge, von Trier creates increasingly further elaborate stipulations.

5.3

John Ford Goes to War

Jan 1, 2002

When World War II broke out, John Ford, in his forties, commissioned in the Naval Reserve, was put in charge of the Field Photographic Unit by Bill Donavan, director of the soon-to-be-OSS. During the war, Field Photo made at least 87 documentaries, many with Ford's signature attention to heroism and loss, and many from the point of view of the fighting soldier and sailor. Talking heads discuss Ford's life and personality, the ways that the war gave him fulfillment, and the ways that his war films embodied the same values and conflicts that his Hollywood films did. Among the films profiled are "Battle of Midway," "Torpedo Squadron," "Sexual Hygiene," and "December 7."

7.0

Marvel's Behind the Mask

Feb 12, 2021

A documentary special that explores the power of identity behind the iconic superheroes we know and love today. These legendary Marvel creations and stories have not only reflected the world outside our window – they have become a reflection of our own identities and who we truly are.

6.0

Beam Me Up, Sulu

Jun 25, 2025

In 1985, Star Trek's George Takei joined a group of dedicated fans to make a student film deep in the California forest—only for the footage to mysteriously vanish. Nearly 40 years later, Beam Me Up, Sulu unearths this lost film, revealing not just a piece of fan history but a broader story of representation, resilience, and the ongoing fight for inclusion in media and society.

6.5

The Mars Generation

Jan 20, 2017

Aspiring teenage astronauts reveal that a journey to Mars is closer than you think.

7.0

Andrey Zvyagintsev. The Director

Dec 8, 2017

Portrait of director Andrey Zvyagintsev against the background of the filming of his film "Loveless".

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6.0

The Making of 'The Marine'

Jan 1, 2006

No overview available.

0.0

The Farmer and the Shark

Aug 10, 2025

Explores the life of local Martha's Vineyard legend, Craig Kingsbury, and his impact on the production of Steven Spielberg’s classic movie

8.0

The Unknown Peter Sellers

Apr 25, 2000

Documentary about the life and career of a comic genius, Peter Sellers.

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0.0

To Boldly Go

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Trekspert Mark A. Altman follows up his 2022 CW docuseries 1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever with a new documentary that will explore iconic Star Trek locations.