Here's why it's a bit misleading to look at the rating alone:
* PG rating in 1981 was much more lenient: The PG rating in 1981 was a lot broader than it is today. It allowed for more violence and mature themes than it does now.
* Intense violence and scary moments: *Raiders* features quite a bit of intense violence, including gunfights, sword fights, and a famously gruesome melting death scene. It also has some genuinely scary moments, like the snake pit scene.
* Mature themes: The film deals with themes of betrayal, power, and the allure of forbidden knowledge, which are considered mature themes.
* Later re-ratings: When the film was re-released in 2008, it was given a PG-13 rating, which reflects a more accurate assessment of its content for today's audience.
In conclusion, while *Raiders of the Lost Ark* was originally rated PG, its content would likely be considered more appropriate for a PG-13 rating by today's standards. It's a film that contains violence, scary moments, and mature themes.