Major Arnold Ernst Toht is a sinister Gestapo agent, very loyal to the cause of the Nazis. In the search for the Ark of the Covenant, Toht searches for the headpiece of the Staff of Ra, necessary to the cause. He tries to torture Marion Ravenwood, but in an ensuing battle with Indiana Jones, he burns his hand on the headpiece, the scar of which he uses to create a fake headpiece. This is unsuccessful, as they needed both sides of the headpiece. Toht continues to fight alongside the Nazis, and eventually they do obtain the Ark. His face is melted by a spirit from inside of the ark when they unwisely open it up.