Dr. René Belloq

Background

Pictured: Arrogance... and a Pith Helmet.

René Emile Belloq is a French archaeologist / treasure hunter who briefly worked for the Nazis during their hunt for the Lost Ark of the Covenant. As the heir to a large wine making estate, he lives a life of privilege. Belloq is an old rival of Indiana Jones, dating back to their studies at the Sorbonne University. Since their time together as students, the two frequently compete to find the same artifacts. However, Belloq, as an archaeologist-for-hire, sells the artifacts to private collectors. Belloq has a sense of superiority and entitlement that drives him to succeed in the most smug way possible.

Major Plots

Belloq Orders the Hovitos to Kill Indiana Jones.

In 1936, René Belloq trails Indiana Jones to a hidden jungle temple in Peru. Both he and Jones wish to acquire the Chachapoyan Fertility Idol from its trap filled altar. However, Jones takes the direct route of running through the temple and grabbing the idol. Belloq uses guile to take the idol from Indiana Jones after he has done all the hard work. Belloq spends his time learning Hovitos and convinces a local Hovitos tribe that Jones is stealing their god -- which he is, but then again, so is Belloq. The Hovitos chase Indiana Jones while Belloq absconds with the fertility idol.

Belloq looks for and quickly finds another job. Nazi Colonel Dietrich approaches Belloq with a large sum of money and the possibility of making the biggest archaeological find in History: the Lost Ark of the Covenant. The Ark is said to make any army that possesses it invincible. Belloq aids the Nazis without any moral quandary. Using his resources and those of the Nazis, Belloq discovers that the Ark is buried in a location known as the Well of Souls outside of Cairo, Egypt at a buried ruin called Tanis.

Belloq Parades around a Nazi Dig Site.

A special item known as the Staff of Ra can pinpoint the location of the Ark on a scale model map of ancient ruins, but a special headpiece is needed to identify the exact height of the staff. Nazi agent Major Arnold Toht is dispatched to retrieve the headpiece from its owner Marion Ravenwood. Toht fails but in the process burns half of the information from the headpiece on his hand. With this information, Belloq believes he has the information to find the Ark. He starts digging in the wrong place. After several weeks with little progress, Belloq's Nazi overlords are becoming restless.

Belloq turns to his old tricks as he uses Indiana Jones to do his work for him. He orders Nazi operatives to capture Marion Ravenwood and the headpiece, but again the Nazi agents fail. They capture Marion but not the headpiece. However, Indiana Jones thinks he observes Marion explode. Belloq meets with Jones in a local bar and prods him into seeking the Ark.

His Family Vintage.

While Belloq waits for Jones to find the Ark for him, the Nazis wish to interrogate the captured Marion Jones. Belloq shields her and attempts to seduce her. He gives her a family wedding dress and tries to get her drunk on his family's wine. Marion trains for such occurrences and has a high alcohol tolerance. She tries to escape, but Major Toht intercepts her.

Meanwhile, Indiana Jones discovers the location of the Ark, and Belloq swoops in to take it. He throws both Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood into the Well of Souls and seals the crypt. Jones and Ravenwood escape and steal back the Ark. Belloq and the Nazis double-steal the Ark again by intercepting the transport on which Indiana Jones, Marion Ravenwood, and the Ark travel with the U-Boat Wurrfler. The Nazis take the Ark and Marion Ravenwood.

Belloq Calls Dr. Jones' Bluff.

Belloq and the Nazis travel to a small island North of Crete called Geheimhaven, where they intend to open the Ark and unleash its powers. Indiana Jones stowed away aboard the Wurrfler and somehow steals a rocket propelled grenade launcher. He threatens to blow up the Ark if Belloq does not return Marion. Belloq knows that Jones is bluffing and invites him to blow up the Ark and "blow it back to God." However, Indiana Jones cannot.

Belloq Dies.

Belloq leads the ceremony to open the Ark. He wears a costume patterned on ancient Hebrew priests who handled the Ark in ancient times. When Belloq and the Nazis open the Ark, they discover it is filled with dust and the Wrath of God. God is angry. Energy is unleashed from the Ark and kill all the Nazis present at the unveiling. Major Toht's face melts. Colonel Dietrich's face collapses. Belloq explodes, ending his life and his career as a relic robber. His swelling ego finally bursts as his head explodes.

Personality and Traits

Belloq Is Also Fashion Conscious.

René Emile Belloq comes from a life of privilege. It is rumored that he achieved his numerous academic degrees through plagiarism and bribery. Belloq would rather others do work for him. He feels entitled to anything he desires, including luxuries and women. His smug nature makes him believe that he is invincible. His hubris leads him to believe he can safely harness the Wrath of God without consequence. He is also frequently wrong.

Trivia

Belloq in High Priest's Dress.

The breastplate that Belloq wears during the Ark unboxing is called a Hoshen, a breastplate worn by ancient Hebrew priests that handled the Ark. The prop designers made the Hoshen Belloq wears as accurately as possible based on passages from the Torah. This fits with the character of Belloq attempting to play the role of a Hebrew High Priest.
The passage setting the design of the Hoshen is in the Book of Exodus. It describes rows of precious stones set in gold and engraved with the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

From Exodus 39: 9-14

It was foursquare; they made the breastplate double: a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being doubled.
And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row was a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this was the first row.
And the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
And the third row, a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
And the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper: they were inclosed in ouches of gold in their inclosings.
And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, everyone with his name, according to the twelve tribes.

Name	Dr. René Belloq
Gender	Male
Credited In	1 movie
Credited In	0 shows
1st Movie Credit	Raiders of the Lost Ark
1st Show Credit	n/a
Alias(es)	Dr. Rene Belloq

Dr. René Belloq

Background

Major Plots

Personality and Traits

Trivia

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