Decorating Raiders – Michael Ford’s Journal



Set Decorator Michael Ford worked in the film industry from over 40 years, and won two Oscars during his career, for RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and TITANIC. RAIDERS was Ford’s second production with Lucasfilm, having previously decorated THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. Ford dressed the sets for RAIDERS at Elstree before moving on to Tunisia to dress locations there. The British decorator kept a daily journal while working in Tunisia, which was part working notes and part personal diary. On the 30th anniversary of the release of RAIDERS, Ford has allowed us to share this journal. The entries below are transcribed exactly as they were written during production, and we have annotated them where possible with additional information. This offers a rare candid, if brief, insight into the production of the film that would become a legend.