The year is 1936. As the Third Reich continues its reign of terror, Adolf Hitler is on a quest for the legendary Ark of the Covenant -- resting place of the Ten Commandments -- whose supernatural powers, legend says, can wipe out entire armies.

The U.S. Government wants to find the Ark before Hitler, and Army Intelligence turns to Dr. Indiana Jones, professor of archaeology at a small New England college. A beleaguered Indy has just returned from a failed expedition to recover a sacred idol in the jungles of South America.

Recruited by the Army for the mission, Indy travels to Patan, Nepal, where he reunites with the beautiful and daring Marion Ravenwood -- who is still bitter over their failed love affair. She reluctantly joins forces with Indy to combat the Nazis on his trail. Carrying a precious medallion that Marion owns, they flee the villainous Nazis and journey to Cairo, where Marion becomes the apparent victim of an attempt on Indy's life.