National Treasure Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy steals the Declaration of Independence because… reasons, mostly involving old-timey riddles and a lot of running around.

🍿 National Treasure: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Clue on the Charlotte

Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and treasure hunter, is on a quest to find a legendary treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers. Along with his friend Riley Poole and funded by Ian Howe, Ben discovers a clue aboard the Charlotte, a ship trapped in Arctic ice. This clue is a meerschaum pipe with a riddle pointing to the Declaration of Independence.

Stealing the Declaration of Independence

Ian reveals his willingness to steal the Declaration to find the treasure, leading to a conflict with Ben. Determined to protect the document, Ben decides to steal it first. He and Riley infiltrate the National Archives, where they meet Dr. Abigail Chase, a curator who becomes entangled in their adventure. The team successfully steals the Declaration, evading both Ian and the FBI.

Decoding the Clues

With the Declaration in their possession, Ben, Riley, and Abigail embark on a journey to decode the clues. They decipher an Ottendorf cipher leading them to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and then to Independence Hall. There, using special bifocals created by Benjamin Franklin, they discover the next clue: ‘Here at the Wall.’

The Treasure Chamber

The clues lead them to Trinity Church in New York City, where they discover a hidden shaft beneath the church. Descending into the depths, they find a vast treasure trove hidden by the Founding Fathers. Ben outsmarts Ian by giving him a false location while securing the real treasure chamber.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage): A historian and treasure hunter determined to find the legendary Templar Treasure by deciphering clues hidden throughout American history.
• Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger): A National Archives curator who is initially skeptical but becomes an ally and romantic interest of Ben as they race to protect the Declaration of Independence.
• Riley Poole (Justin Bartha): A sarcastic and skilled computer expert who assists Ben with his treasure hunt, providing technical expertise and comic relief.
• Ian Howe (Sean Bean): A ruthless and determined treasure hunter who initially funds Ben’s expedition but becomes his adversary when he resorts to stealing the Declaration of Independence.
• Patrick Gates (Jon Voight): Ben’s estranged father and a former treasure hunter who initially discourages Ben but eventually aids him in his quest.
• Sadusky (Harvey Keitel): An FBI agent who investigates the theft of the Declaration of Independence and becomes involved in the treasure hunt, revealing a surprising connection to the Freemasons.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ben Gates: “I’m going to steal the Declaration of Independence.” – Ben states his audacious plan to protect the document from falling into the wrong hands.
• Riley Poole: “Okay, but what if there’s a secret map on the back of the Declaration of Independence?” – Riley asks a rhetorical question, entertaining the possiblity of the historical treasure map.
• Ben Gates: “Sometimes the only way to protect something is to steal it.” – Ben justifies his morally ambiguous actions with a belief that the ends justify the means.
• Patrick Gates: “There’s no treasure, Ben. I wasted my life on this.” – Patrick expresses his disillusionment after years of fruitless searching, trying to dissuade his son.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $173,008,894
• Worldwide Gross: $347,512,530

💥 National Treasure Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this in the theater as a kid and loving it! The idea of hidden clues and a secret treasure tied to American history was so cool. The Declaration of Independence scene was intense, and I still get a kick out of Riley’s tech skills. It’s definitely a fun adventure movie that makes you think ‘what if?’ Plus, who doesn’t love Nicolas Cage dramatically declaring something?

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of adventure movies”
  • “History buffs”
  • “Families looking for a fun movie night”
  • “Nicolas Cage fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild violence”
  • “Some peril and suspense”
  • “Brief depictions of historical inaccuracies (for sticklers)”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While it’s no ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ ‘National Treasure’ is a fun, popcorn flick that combines historical fiction with an exciting treasure hunt, even if the plot relies on some far-fetched coincidences.
• IMDB: “After hearing some of the initial reviews I was expecting something of a train wreck here. Actually, the movie is not bad at all… in a cheesy kind of Saturday afternoon time-killing way. Some of the actions of the characters strain credibility at times… but if you just sit back and let the plot play out it’s all quite entertaining.
• Common Sense Media: “Parents need to know that this movie involves treasure hunting, historical mystery, and some cartoonish violence. It’s all handled with a light touch, but expect some peril and explosions. The script is clever and emphasizes the importance of American history.

Audience Reactions

The historical riddles and puzzles were really engaging.: Audiences enjoyed the blend of history and adventure, especially the puzzles based on American landmarks.

Riley was hilarious and provided much-needed comic relief.: Many viewers appreciated Justin Bartha’s portrayal of Riley as the funny, tech-savvy sidekick.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted and entertaining adventure film that blends historical fiction with an exciting treasure hunt, though it may require some suspension of disbelief.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial was digitally added because it was drained for maintenance during filming.”
• “The filmmakers consulted with historians and cryptographers to ensure the puzzles and clues were plausible within the context of American history.”
• “Many of the historical locations seen in the film, such as Independence Hall, were actual filming locations, adding authenticity to the treasure hunt.”
• “The design of the treasure chamber was inspired by various historical accounts and legends of hidden treasures, creating a visually impressive and believable space.”

🖥️ How to Watch National Treasure?

National Treasure is widely available on streaming platforms and for purchase. You can find it on Disney+, where a subscription grants access to the film. For rental or purchase, check out Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region, so be sure to confirm before attempting to stream or purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed National Treasure, you might like these similar films:

• Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981): A classic adventure film featuring a historian racing against rivals to find a historical artifact.
• The Da Vinci Code (2006): Features historical mysteries, puzzles, and secret societies, with characters decoding clues to uncover a hidden truth.
• Sahara (2005): Similar adventure dynamic with a treasure hunting mission.

🛒 National Treasure Related Products

• National Treasure (Blu-ray): Relive the adventure with the high-definition Blu-ray edition, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and special features.
• National Treasure: The Book of Secrets (Nintendo DS): Solve puzzles and uncover clues in this interactive adventure based on the sequel, perfect for puzzle enthusiasts of all ages.
• Declaration of Independence Replica: Own a high-quality replica of the Declaration of Independence, a piece of American history and a key element of the movie’s plot. Great for display or educational purposes.
• National Treasure Movie Poster: Decorate your space with a classic movie poster from National Treasure. This is a great addition to any movie room or living room, for all fans to enjoy!

🎧 Soundtrack

National Treasure features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “String Quartet Op. 33 No. 2 in E Flat (‘The Joke’)” – performed by Joseph Haydn
• “National Treasure End Suite” – performed by Trevor Rabin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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If you’re a fan of National Treasure, prepare to laugh at its many flaws as CinemaSins hilariously counts them down. You’ll never look at the movie the same way again!

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Curious about what Honest Trailers thinks of National Treasure? Tune in for a humorous and honest take on the movie’s plot, characters, and historical accuracy.

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Ever wondered how accurate the treasure hunting scenes in movies are? An archaeologist breaks down National Treasure and other films, revealing the truths and myths behind the cinematic adventures.

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