What National Treasure (2004) Got Wrong (and right) About History

Disney's hit 2004 film National Treasure had a huge impact on pop culture, but though it's full of various historical fun facts, just how many of them are true? Come learn with me about "secret" societies, brotherly quarrels, an exaggerated midnight ride, archival malpractice, and the contexts behind National Treasure's history, and ahistory.

I'm on TikTok @ kazrowe

Filmed using:
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Sources:
However Imperceptibly: From the Historical to the Sublime by Hans Kellner

Cinema, Supernatural Archaeology, and the Hidden Human Past by Peter Hiscock

Secret Societies Symbolism in National Treasure Movie by Ariyantika Wulandari

American beliefs and values as reflected in the movie national treasure directed by John Turteltaub in 2004 by Roko Patria Jati

"National Treasure", Global Value, and American Literary Studies by Eric Lott

What is living and what is dead in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, or, National Treasure and the state of public texts by Michael Epp

[stoneinyan]

Yes! Learn real and true American history! I’m Native American from the Oglala Lakota tribe and I meet non-Natives all the time who have such a minuscule understanding of America’s indigenous people. I’ve even heard people say we don’t exist anymore! Keep encouraging knowledge, Kaz, you have such a good channel!!!

[chaimagnolia]

It’s always funny to me when people think the Masons are super secretive — where I live, they have a clearly marked building just down the street from a bubble tea shop, which always struck me as… not very discreet, lol. I also know of a Masonic old folk’s home, which I asked my dad about once, and he described it as “just a bunch of old men hanging out”.
Great video as always! 😊

[archive]

Fun Fact: On the DVD, director Jon Turteltaub says the initial rough cut was around four hours long

[thespookycore]

I'm surprised that you didn't add that Paul Revere also invented forensic dentistry in the US (as in this wasn't the 1st time it was ever used, but he independently figured it out and then started it in the US). Because of his dentistry and silver smithing skills, he was able to identify a dead soldier by the silver fillings that he previously did for the soldier. This was the start of the concept of forensic dentistry.

[Neochaotic_]

I unironically adore and have fun with how goofy and interesting this movie series is. Nick Cage to me is underrated as an actor because he completely goes for it and no matter what the man looks like he is willing to do whatever the scene calls for. The fact that we all love Jim Carrey but hate Nick Cage baffles me 😂

[maeolantern]

As a student conservator-restorer, hearing how such an important document was treated made me physically shiver jfc. Great video as always!

[mfuentes]

Would you ever do a video on the history of American Girl dolls? I feel like so many people (including me lol) got into history and historical fashion because of them.

[ohmylard]

I was adopted into the Carroll family and my mom is a direct descendant, no one ever believes us until we bring out the paperwork it's kind of crazy that he was portrayed in the movie!!

[eeviu]

"grandpas everywhere are whooping and hollering over bifocal lenses" may i, a 23 year old join the grandpas ??? A blessing to my blind ass

[emilybroderick]

Am I the only one who didn't know there was a National Treasure prequel coming out or was I just supposed to learn that from a well-timed Kaz Rowe video?

[foxesofautumn]

I'm Australian, so I have no skin in the game, but I always enjoyed National Treasure as a fun adventure romp. I didn't really think most of what they showed was true but it's cool to see what the actual history was and, also, finding that knowing the truth really doesn't make the film less fun.

[korgimi]

national treasure and indiana jones: making archaeologists everywhere cry since they came out

[lmnop]

I'd love to see you break down the historical inspirations/inaccuracies behind "The DaVinci Code." I never realized til now that two massive franchises both concerning secret European societies released around the same time. 😅

[MrIrrationalSmith]

I'm a (former?) member of The Massachusetts Lodge — the 2nd or 3rd oldest Freemason lodge in the Western hemisphere. Our 250th anniversary was in 2020 (I think). I have a background in volunteering and philanthropy, and I wanted to join a community that shared those values. While I *did* meet some admirable men there, I ultimately was pretty underwhelmed by the experience. I was a member for 3 years and did all the secret rituals to become a 3rd degree Mason. The lodge brings on a handful of candidates per year, and in my experience, only maybe one becomes a full 3rd degree Mason and stays on for more than a year. Kaz is right — it's largely conservative, older men in Freemasonry. I think they fail to retain new members because the values they extol are more effectively manifested in other groups that are more inclusive and demand less of their members. A lot of Freemasonry is memorizing rituals. And the lodges I know in Boston generally require formal clothing at every event — I was personally scolded for wearing no-show socks with my suit. And, ultimately, I found Freemasonry to be more of a drinking club than a charitable org.

[IneffabLeigh]

"...and his gay friend Riley"
I fuckin' choked on my lunch because you're SO RIGHT

[madds]

My middle school history teacher had this great bit in class where he said if Henry Wadsworth had instead wrote:
“It was of great cause, That midnight ride of William Dawes”
then Paul Revere would’ve never become famous and I’ve never forgotten about the second rider since.

[ryanadams]

As a Freemason, I must say…



This was one of the best summaries of actual Freemasonry I have seen on YouTube.

[margaretwalters]

Colonial Williamsburg has gotten much better (at least in my experience) at talking about and acknowledging slavery. The last time I was there, the majority of tours and programs included a section on the involvement of slavery within the particular topic the programs covered. There was a very interesting house tour where one of the historical interpreters talked a lot about how broader colonial law about slavery and biracial parentage affected individuals. There was another program I attended where the interpreter discussed the affects of religion on slavery and POC in colonial America.

[jamie.d.k.]

As an optician, the number of people that genuinely ask for the Ben Franklin bifocals brings me joy 😊

[yusinu]

I’m actually so relieved that Liberty Kids (this American Revolution animated show) got Paul Revere’s ride accurately because otherwise I would have lost faith in one of my favorite shows 😅 if you haven’t watched it, I highly recommend it.