National Treasure (film)

National Treasure (film)
source
Name	National Treasure
Director	Jon Turteltaub
Producer	Jerry Bruckheimer
Writer	Jim Kouf, Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley
Starring	Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Plummer
Music	Trevor Rabin
Cinematography	Caleb Deschanel
Editing	William Goldenberg
Studio	Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Walt Disney Pictures
Distributor	Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
Runtime	131 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$100 million
Gross	$347.5 million

National Treasure (film). It is a 2004 American adventure film directed by Jon Turteltaub and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The plot follows historian and treasure hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates, who seeks a legendary treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers of the United States. The film blends elements of historical fiction with a modern-day caper film, leading to a climactic discovery beneath the streets of New York City.

Plot

The story is initiated by a family legend passed down to Benjamin Franklin Gates by his grandfather John Adams Gates. The legend speaks of a vast treasure accumulated through history, hidden by Knights Templar and later protected by the Founding Fathers of the United States, with clues left on the Declaration of Independence. Gates, aided by his friend Riley Poole, races against former partner Ian Howe to find the treasure. To prevent Ian Howe from stealing it, Gates himself steals the Declaration of Independence from the National Archives. With the help of archivist Abigail Chase from the National Archives and Records Administration, he deciphers clues involving the Silence Dogood letters, an Ottendorf cipher on the back of the Declaration, and landmarks like Independence Hall in Philadelphia and Trinity Church in New York City. The final discovery is made in a hidden chamber beneath Federal Hall National Memorial.

Cast

* Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Franklin Gates, the protagonist and historian. * Diane Kruger as Abigail Chase, a National Archives archivist. * Justin Bartha as Riley Poole, Gates's humorous and tech-savvy companion. * Sean Bean as Ian Howe, the primary antagonist and former partner. * Jon Voight as Patrick Henry Gates, Benjamin's skeptical father. * Harvey Keitel as Agent Sadusky of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. * Christopher Plummer as John Adams Gates, Benjamin's grandfather. * David Dayan Fisher as Shaw, a henchman working for Ian Howe. * Stewart Finlay-McLennan as Powell, another of Howe's associates. * Oleg Taktarov as Victor Shippen, a member of Howe's team.

Production

Development began in the late 1990s, with the script written by Jim Kouf and the writing team of Cormac Wibberley and Marianne Wibberley. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub sought to create a family-friendly adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code. Principal photography took place in various historic locations, including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City, with key scenes shot at the actual National Archives and Independence Hall. The production design team, led by Norris Spencer, created detailed replicas of historical documents. Composer Trevor Rabin provided the orchestral score.

Release

The film was released in North America on November 19, 2004, by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. Its marketing campaign emphasized the adventure and historical puzzle elements. It premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles. The film was later released on DVD and VHS in May 2005, topping sales charts. It was also shown on Walt Disney Pictures's cruise ships and became a staple on the Disney Channel.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a major commercial success. It debuted at number one at the U.S. box office, grossing over $347 million worldwide against a $100 million budget. Critics praised the performances of Nicolas Cage and Justin Bartha and the fast-paced, inventive plot but criticized historical inaccuracies and a formulaic structure. The film was nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Score for Trevor Rabin and won a BMI Film Music Award. It developed a strong cult following in subsequent years.

Sequel and franchise

The success led to the development of a franchise. A sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, was released in 2007, again starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Jon Turteltaub. It involved a new mystery tied to the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln and the Presidency. A third film entered development hell for over a decade. In 2022, a television series titled National Treasure: Edge of History premiered on Disney+, featuring a new cast and story while maintaining connections to the original films. The franchise also includes video games and novelizations.