National Treasure, by James Stuart

In the movie “National Treasure,” Nicholas Cage stars as Ben Gates, who attempts to keep the Declaration of Independence out of the hands of Ian Howe, whom he used to call friends. Ian tried to kill Ben in order to keep the treasure for himself disrespecting the historical value of the goods and using it to fuel his greed. Now, most people see this movie as some sort of treasure chase, and they are not wrong. However, the movie showcases a true respect for history and historically significant information throughout the film.

Ben Gates is a man with a love for history, his passion for knowledge took him across the world chasing a treasure no one thought existed. This movie includes historical groups such as the Freemasons and the Knights Templar. Using this the director was able to connect several points of history together to create a wonderfully deep story. For example, Charles Carroll is the last surviving member of the Declaration of Independence. He is depicted as a keeper of the secret of the treasure. The beginning of the movie he is dying and racing toward the White House to tell the President of the United States to keep the secret alive and hidden. Not only is this creative but it makes viewers think of history happening in alternative ways. A wonderful idea that there is a secret historical treasure that has been safeguarded by some of the most powerful men of history. Another example of Cages love for history is that he treats the Declaration of Independence with respect and care. He understands the historical significance of the document as well as what it stands for. Cage further showcases this respect when they transport the Declaration of Independence to Philadelphia. When they are in Independence Hall he says “The last time this was here, it was being signed,” then he takes in the moment. The movie shows a deeper truth that history is to be treated with respect. History plays such a large role in how we live our lives that it should be something that is sacred.

Something that the movie does well was to use people and groups that hold historical significance to United States history. Thinking that the Freemasons and the Knights Templar have buried treasure somewhere is a little ridiculous, but the movie did contain facts. For example, the movie talks about the Founding Fathers a lot. It says they assisted in hiding the secret by writing it on the back of the declaration which was only visible to them through a pair of spectacles designed by Ben Franklin. He did in fact help design some of his own glasses. The movie also includes two largely mysterious groups in history. The Freemasons, and the Knights Templar. The Templar Knights were an ancient order and have been around since medieval time serving under the king or as roaming warriors for hire. Unlike the Templars, the Freemasons have been extremely secretive about their fraternity activities. The movie touches on the ancient orders being connected which also adds to the developing storyline. The movie also says that several Freemasons signed the declaration, which is accurate because, Ben Franklin, George Washington, and Paul Revere signed and are all known as Masons. The movie may have a fictional storyline but they do a terrific job of giving historical facts. This makes the viewer look at recorded U.S. history in the case of “what if.” By supplying a possibility of a different outcome than what we have been told happened, it is only natural to explore it and its possibilities.

The movie touches on several things throughout American history. History is almost respected as much as art in American culture. Museums and historical monuments are erected to preserve history. The movie expresses this by utilizing real monuments as best they could and in some cases making entire replicas of buildings like Independence Hall in the movie. Another example of historical significance is the inclusion of the Silence Dogood letters written by Ben Franklin. He would write to his brother who was the editor of a paper. He would write under the pseudonym “Silence Dogood” pretending to be a middle-aged widow. These letters were part of the bigger whole as to why he and his brother didn’t get along. However, the movie incorporated them in a strange way saying that there was a hidden code in the letters that lead them to “The House of Pass and Stow”. Which leads them to the Liberty Bell that was hung in Independence Hall. Incorporating things like a hidden code in some of Ben Franklin’s early work showcases a common theme in art of hidden messages and symbolic meaning that the movie utilized elegantly.

In my opinion, I think this movie has great historical information and contains a lot of facts. The only problem is that the story of the treasure hunt requires a lot of drama to be enticing. Including chases, things falling into the wrong hands, a point of hitting rock bottom only then to rise to the top and find everything they’ve been searching for. Then when all is said and done he donates almost the entire treasure to national archives and museums around the world so that the history can be enjoyed everywhere. What a noble cause indeed.