Raiders Of The Lost Ark  
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      1980 - Paramount / Lucasfilm
      director: Steven Spielberg
      producer: Frank Marshall
      starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allan, Ronald Lacey, Paul Freeman, etc.
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      Peter's role: stunt arranger / stunt double / Nazi Soldier
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      Indiana Jones takes on the might of the Nazis as he battles for control of
      the Ark of the Covenant...

      Peter was employed on 'Raiders' both at Elstree Studios and on location in Tunisia,
      where he and many of the crew suffered from a rather nasty stomach upset,
      and he claimed this, in turn, lead to the creation of a classic Indy scene.

      It's the sequence where Indy takes on the menacing Thug with a knife, in the
      marketplace at Kairouan, and the story goes thus: Harrison Ford was still feeling
      the effects of the stomach bug and really didn't fancy fussing over the upcoming
      duel. The script hadn't detailed any particular action, and a wilting Harrison
      supposedly said 'Can't I just shoot the guy, or something?' Peter then recalled a
      favourite Tommy Cooper sketch, in which the Fez-wearing comedian had been
      faced with the unsettling skills of a knife-juggler, before casually shooting him...

      Is the story true? - We can't say for sure, but it certainly sounds like it might
      have happened!

       

      Peter's contribution to this box-office blockbuster is often over-looked. Indeed,
      his name is rarely included in any review of the stunts in the film. But he puts in
      a blink-and-you'll-miss-him appearance in the 1980 'Making Of' documentary.
      where we see him off-set at Elstree Studios, taking at swing at Harrison Ford
      as he practices with his bullwhip.
      
      When pre-production of the film commenced, the press speculation took up many
      column inches. There were rumours that this 'new' film from George Lucas was
      actually the next 'Star Wars' movie. Peter found this very amusing at the time!

    
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     • Peter doubles for Ronald Lacey during the fight at the tavern in Nepal. Toht scorches
       his hand on the red hot medallion, and it's clearly Ronald Lacey, convulsing in agony.
       But it's Peter we see sprinting out through the fiery exit. The segue between Ronald
       and Peter is masked with the aid of a clever little panning shot...

     • Peter also features in the famous truck chase sequence. He's one of the Nazi soldiers
       in the back of the truck. We firstly see him aknowledging a command before he climbs
       out on to the side of the moving vehicle and approaches the cab. Indiana does
       a double-take as he spies him in his wing mirror, raising his weapon. Seconds later,
       and Peter is the one double-taking as a palm tree sweeps him off the truck  - Ouch!

            
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