Deadly Reptiles, Real Danger: The Unbelievable Snake Attacks on the Set of Indiana Jones!
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
When Raiders of the Lost Ark hit theaters in 1981, it became an instant classic, in part because of the palpable sense of danger that coursed through its action-packed scenes. The film’s frenetic energy, much of it improvised on set, translated into a thrilling adventure for moviegoers. However, behind the scenes, the chaos was far more intense than even the wildest on-screen moments. And among the most shocking dangers? The snakes—real, venomous, and far from friendly.
A Dangerous Shoot: No CGI, Just Real Snakes
Indiana Jones’ fear of snakes is legendary, and one of the most iconic moments in Raiders takes place in the Well of Souls, where Indy and Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen) are trapped among a writhing sea of serpents. While this moment is now a hallmark of the franchise, it wasn’t just a special effect. In 1981, filmmakers didn’t have CGI at their disposal, so the crew had to contend with real cobras, pythons, and garter snakes. Harrison Ford and Karen Allen were forced to interact with these creatures up close, risking not only their comfort but their safety as well.
Steven Spielberg, the director, has spoken about the considerable risk involved in the shoot, remembering how, despite having snake handlers on set, the entire team had to keep antivenom on hand. Ford himself had to brave the snakes’ slithering bodies as they crawled across the floor of the temple. And in an era before visual effects could make a dangerous scene “safer,” the reality of working with live, unpredictable animals was far more harrowing.
Snakes, Wranglers, and Real Bites
The filming of the Well of Souls scene was no easy feat. Spielberg recalled how the film featured not only non-venomous garter snakes but also far deadlier creatures, like cobras from India and massive boa constrictors. The snakes weren’t just props—they were real, and they had very real teeth. Spielberg confirmed that the shots of snakes biting people were, in fact, genuine bites. Ford, Allen, and the crew were forced to contend with these attacks as part of the scene’s dramatic tension.
“We had many snake wranglers on set,” Spielberg recounted, “but they were always getting bitten by something—except the cobras, of course, because those are deadly.” But the pythons? They were relentless. In one particular incident, an assistant director was bitten by a python on set. The snake wouldn’t let go, forcing crew members to flick the snake’s tail in an attempt to shock it into releasing its grip. The assistant director, remarkably unphased by the experience, casually walked around with a now-famous, “Uh, help, please.”
Karen Allen’s Snake Scream
One of the more bizarre moments involved Karen Allen’s response to the snakes. Spielberg admitted that he had trouble getting the kind of scream he wanted from her. His solution? Drop a real snake onto her to get an authentic reaction. While Allen avoided being bitten, the incident speaks to the kind of dangerous improvisation that permeated the entire production. Spielberg’s desire for the perfect scream almost came at the cost of Allen’s safety.
The Legacy of ‘Raiders’: A Reminder of the Risks of Filmmaking
Looking back, the shooting of Raiders of the Lost Ark seems unthinkable by modern standards. Spielberg has expressed remorse over allowing Ford and others to perform their own stunts, knowing now how risky the shoot was. Today, such reckless disregard for safety would undoubtedly lead to lawsuits and a complete rethinking of how films are made. However, the danger only added to the film’s gritty, high-stakes feel that made it stand out as one of the greatest action films of all time.
Despite his on-screen phobia, Harrison Ford has confessed that he actually enjoys snakes in real life, a sharp contrast to his character’s legendary fear. Meanwhile, Raiders continues to stand as a testament to the raw, real-world challenges that filmmakers were willing to take on for the sake of a truly thrilling cinematic experience.
From the brave snake wranglers to the actors who faced down real danger, the production of Raiders of the Lost Ark was no less of an adventure than the story it told. But with deadly pythons, venomous cobras, and real-life bites, it’s clear that no one—absolutely no one—on that set was safe from the real danger of the film’s iconic snake scenes.
