National Treasure franchise

Infobox_Film
name=National Treasure

"National Treasure" is a series of movies starring Nicolas Cage as a treasure hunter who uncovers hidden treasures and secrets from America's past.

Movies

National Treasure (2004)

The first "National Treasure" movie centres on the Gates' family legend of a fantastic treasure trove of artifacts and gold, hidden by the Founding Fathers of the United States, and the attempts of the scion of the family, Benjamin Franklin Gates, to find the treasure.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007)

When black market dealer Mitch Wilkinson locates 18 missing pages of John Wilkes Booth's diary, they suggest that Ben's ancestor, Thomas Gates, was a conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Ben sets out to prove his innocence.

Further sequels

Director Jon Turteltaub said that the filmmaking team will take its time on another "National Treasure" sequel, [cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Video/DVD_Column/2008/05/30/5721241-sun.html|title='National Treasure 3' in works|author=Bruce Kirkland|work=Jam!|date=2008-05-30] but Disney has already registered the domains for NationalTreasure3DVD.com and NationalTreasure4DVD.com. [cite web|url=http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/02/01/disney-plans-for-national-treasure-3-4/|title=Disney Plans For National Treasure 3 & 4|author=Peter Sciretta|work=SlashFilm|date=2008-02-01] Though the second film ended with the question about page 47 of the President's book of secrets, Turteltaub responded in a press interview that the idea was not set in stone as the basis for "National Treasure 3". [cite web|url=http://hitsusa.com/blog/406/national-treasure-3-page-47/|title=National Treasure 3: Page 47|work=HitsUSA.com|date=2007-12-22]

Books

Novelisations

There was no novelization of the first movie, but a novelization of the second entitled "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets The Junior Novel" was released on November 6, 2007. [cite web | url = http://www.amazon.com/dp/142310627X/ | title = "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets The Junior Novel" | accessdate = 2007-11-27] Parts of the story in the novel version differ slightly from what was actually filmed, owing to changes being made in the screenplay prior to and during production. For example, in the novel, Ben and Abigail photograph the wooden plank found hidden in the Queen's desk and leave it behind, with the car chase following. But in the movie, they take the plank with them on the chase.

pin-offs

Disney Press are also publishing a series of spin-off historical novels about ancestors of the Gates Family all by Catherine Hapka.

"Changing Tides"

Released on November 6, 2007, its story is set in England in the year 1612. The epilogue from "Changing Tides" is included at the back of the "National Treasure" book. [cite web| url = http://www.amazon.com/dp/1423108140/ | title = "Changing Tides" (National Treasure)| accessdate = 2007-11-28] Samual Gates and his brother, William, travel to the Americas and the newly organized Jamestown, hoping to find a fortune and rescue their family name.

"Midnight Ride"

Released on March 8, 2008, set during the American Revolutionary War, John Raleigh Gates follows the clues to find an incredible treasure. [cite web| url = http://www.amazon.com/dp/1423108159/| title = "Midnight Ride" (Gates Family Mystery) | accessdate = 2008-07-15]

"Uncharted"

Released on August 26, 2008, set after the American Revolutionary War, Adam Benjamin Gates and his twin sister, Rebecca, have heard their father's tales of his part in the Revolutionary War and his discovery of a great treasure that helped the Patriots. Soon, Adam and Rebecca find themselves on a dangerous journey into uncharted landsin search of a treasure hidden deep in the wilderness.

Gates' Family

Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) is the latest in a long line of adventurers. His father, Patrick Gates (Jon Voight) did not believe in the Templar treasure and tried to discourage his son from wasting his time. His wife Emily Appleton (Helen Mirren) is a professor of history at the University of Maryland, College Park. Patrick's father, John Adams Gates (Christopher Plummer) very much believed in the legend of the treasure hidden by the Founding Fathers. John's father is Charles, who witnessed his own father, Thomas Gates, a well-known puzzle solver, being shot by members of the Lincoln conspiricy. Thomas' father is unknown, but his father was another Thomas Gates (Jason Earles), who was given a clue about the Templar treasure by Charles Carroll, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence, saying simply, "The secret lies with Charlotte".

Family members featured in the Disney Press "National Treasure - A Gates Family Mystery" series of books include; Adam Benjamin Gates and his twin sister, Rebecca, children of John Raleigh Gates, who all seek treasures. Their ancestor, Samual Gates, travelled from England to America in 1612, with his brother, William, seeking treasure.

Family Tree

Awards

National Treasure

Won

* BMI Film & TV Awards (2005): BMI Film Music Award for Trevor Rabin

Nominated

* Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (2005): Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film
* Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA (2005): Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress (Diane Kruger)
* Teen Choice Awards (2005): Teen Choice Award for Movie: Action/Adventure
* Visual Effects Society Awards (2005): VES Award for Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Motion Picture (Matthew Gratzner, Forest Fischer, Scott Beverly, Leigh-Alexandra Jacob, (For the treasure room))
* World Stunt Awards (2005): Taurus Award for Best Overall Stunt by a Stunt Woman (Lisa Hoyle)
* Young Artist Awards (2005): Young Artist Award for Best Family Feature Film - Drama
* Young Artist Awards (2005): Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film, Supporting Young Actor (Hunter Gomez) [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368891/awards IMDB Awards list for National Treasure] ]

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

Nominated

* Golden Trailer Awards (2008): Golden Trailer for Best Motion/Title Graphics
* MTV Movie Awards (2008): MTV Movie Award for Best Movie
* Razzie Awards (2008): Razzie Award for Worst Actor (Nicolas Cage)
* Razzie Awards (2008): Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor (Jon Voight)
* Teen Choice Awards (2008): Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress: Action Adventure (Diane Kruger) [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0465234/awards IMDB Awards list for National Treasure: Book of Secrets] ]

External Links

*imdb title|id=0368891|title=National Treasure
*imdb title|id=0465234|title=National Treasure: Book of Secrets
* [http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/treasure/index.html The National Archives "Our National Treasure" website]
* [http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/nationaltreasure/ National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets Official Site]
* [http://www.si.umich.edu/spies/methods-intelligence.html Secret Methods and Techniques - Intelligence letters] - From the collections at Clements Library
* [http://adisney.go.com/disneyvideos/liveaction/nationaltreasure2/ National Treasure 2 DVD and Blu-Ray Site]

References