Friday, September 19, 2008
Pop Culture and Freemasonry: National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. Prod. Jerry Bruckheimer, Dir. Jon Turteltaub, Perf. Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha. DVD. Walt Disney Pictures, 2007.
What does National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets have to do with Freemasonry? Not much, sadly. Except for the random references to Albert Pike, and the use of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial presentation room, the movie lacks the same ties that the first had for Masonic history. I realize that we owe a lot to the National Treasure movies for bringing us back to the bright spotlight but couldn't we have received at least a little mention in the sequel. We opened up the Masonic Memorial (paid for by 50 of 51 Grand Lodges) for them to film in but the name was changed to another location. I realize this is old news but hopefully, if another movie comes out, we will at least have a better part to play in the story, other than a stage.
Spoiler Alert!!!
Also, how in the world did the Olmecs get to South Dakota? Huh?!
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3 comments:
The same way all the other Yuppies get there - in a truck, pulling their Harley-Davidsons.
Apparently, the novelization of Book Of Secrets restored the two or three more overt Masonic references that had been originally included in the shooting script, but cut during editing. I suspect they were cut because the already convoluted plot (Oy, the Wibberly's...) was twisted enough as it was without dragging Albert Pike and Agent Sadusky's Masonry into it.
I just wish it hadn't been quite so, well, dumb.
Interesting, as well, that they could have used more Masonic symbols than they did. If you slow down the trailer there are several places where they flash symbols across the screen.
At first glance, they appear to be Masonic. When you slow down the screen - admittedly hard, since they are all quick flashes, most of the symbols are arguably not even Masonic. The 'all-seeing eye' is there, and one that 'kind of' looks like a square and compass.
It makes me wonder if those ever vigilant Disney attorneys had some of the signs edited out.
Hmmm.
Don't mess with the Mouse!
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