Who are the Raiders Guys?
Eric Zala, Chris Strompolos, Jayson Lamb
1988
Chris Strompolos, Angela Rodriguez, Eric Zala, Jayson Lamb
2014
In 1982, Eric Zala, Chris Strompolos, Jayson Lamb, and other childhood friends began filming a shot-for-shot remake of Steven Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark. They were 12 years old. It took 7 years to complete the film,
Their remake was accidentally discovered 14 years later, praised by Steven Spielberg, and became one of the most talked-about and sought-after cult films in cinematic history.
In 2014, Eric & Chris reunited the cast after 25 years for the only missing scene they couldn’t do as kids – the Airplane Scene.
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: THE ADAPTATION finally complete, the 35 year story of the making is the subject of both a book and documentary (currently streaming on Netflix), each named: Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made
“Exhilarating…Awesomely triumphant… a movie for anyone who has ever dreamed big,
been knocked down, and dared to dream again" — IndieWire
“Raiders! is much more than just the story of some kids making a fan film. It’s about the best and worst of childhood and growing up and sharing a geeky obsession through the whole journey.
It’s intense and enjoyable and heartbreaking and powerful.” — Wired
VIEW DOC ON NETFLIX VIEW DOC TRAILER VIEW BOOK TRAILER
What are they doing now?
Eric Zala travels to speak at schools, colleges, art centers, sharing the film and its true story to inspire others to make their dreams real. More info at ericzala.com
Chris Strompolos works as Executive Director of Operations at The Gnomon School of Visual FX, Games & Animation in Hollywood. He is also working on his next album, IN THE TIME OF LIES & ISOLATION. All updates and contact info can be found at strompolos.com
Latest News with the Raiders Guys
Check out RAIDERS ADAPTATION episode of ABC-TV’S THE GOLDBERGS!
On ABC'S THE GOLDBERGS, the main character Adam learns the legend of from our little film is not legend and it actually exists. VHS playback of RAIDERS ADAPTATION is shown, inspiring Adam to make his own Indy movie! Check out “Adam Spielberg”, now available streaming on Hulu – here! (0:31-1:39)
Past adventures with the Raiders Guys:
“FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS” Tour
RAIDERS! documentary theatrical release tour
In June 2016, the Raiders Guys launched a successful 65-City tour across America. Eric and Chris kicked off the tour jetting from coast-to-coast with Eric's wife, Cassie, acting as Tour Manager. July saw Chris return to Los Angeles, as Eric & Cassie's children, Quinn & Darcy, and family dog, Otter, joined the tour in July kicking off the next 40 events in our Raiders RV, speaking at double-feature screenings of our film and the doc.
Documentary – “RAIDERS! THE STORY OF THE GREATEST FAN FILM EVER MADE”
– about our story, from producer of NAPOLEON DYNAMITE
New York Times' recommended list of non-depressing documentaries on Netflix
doc trailer / doc on Netflix / doc review / more reviews & press / order
“RAIDERS GUYS AND THE LOST AIRPLANE SCENE” Kickstarter Campaign
– raising $58K to reunite cast after 25 years to film missing Airplane Scene
Book – “RAIDERS! THE STORY OF THE GREATEST FAN FILM EVER MADE”
– about our story – from St. Martin’s Press, by Alan Eisenstock
Now re-released in paperback!
book reviews / book video / video - author interview on CBS THIS MORNING / order
Made fan film, growing in Mississippi – during the 80’s
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: THE ADAPTATION
100% on Rotten Tomatoes / Trailer - side-by-side comparison / more reviews & press / order