National Treasure and the American Revolution
We decided to rewatch National Treasure again last week (for the first time in awhile, I’ve lost track of the rewatches). This movie is one of the good ones.
Feel good cheesy Patriotism and history. It’s very goofiness makes it awesome, I don’t care how some snobby critics rate it. The premise, the awesome music, the sarcasm, Cage’s terrible “acting” that really works in this situation, Riley is precious, Abigail whose history nerdiness and curiosity wins out over her “professionalism,” Sean Bean’s dramatic British bad guy trope. And I watched this in a fun period in my early twenties, this was one of the first modern movies we watched and it just has that added layer of nostalgia.
And this extra bit.
Years I ago I realized that the character’s names had more meaning than the obvious one of Ben’s. I think it was because I’d been reading about the Revolutionary War.
Ian Howe = General William Howe
Abigail Chase = obviously Abigail Adams, but I was sure Chase had to feature somehow, I found a Samuel Chase on the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin Franklin Gates = Obviously Benjamin Franklin but also General Horatio Gates. Patrick Henry and John Adams were his dad and grandfather, again obvious.
I feel like there might have been more, but I didn’t write it down or post it when I thought of it.
Strangely, no one in my family found this information as riveting as me . . . I wonder why?
(I swear there is a particular gene for loving history. I mean, I even find some boring books interesting, so while I lament the unutterably bad historical program or lack thereof just about everywhere, I’m not the best person to make it interesting, since I find textbooks interesting.)
8 Comments
Skye
I think that’s so cool that they did that with the names. I love those movies!
Livia Rose
They are so feel good and the name part adds a nice nerdy touch.
Ivy Spargur
These movies are cheesy, but I love them.
Livia Rose
so cheesy yet so awesome.
MovieCritic
I haven’t watched those movies in ages, but they are so fun! That research about the names is so nifty! Thanks for sharing
Livia Rose
They are such a comfort watch. The names is such a nice nerdy extra gift.
Elizabeth
Love these movies! I saw them for the first time last year I think. It’s sad that it took me so long to watch them but better late than never.
Livia Rose
Exactly, I don’t often see thing right when they come out. Clueless was a cult-fav I only watched for the first time last year I think it was.