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National Treasure

Name: National Treasure
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Released: 2004
Duration: 131 min

Representation Score

3.7/10

Limited

2004

Director

Jon Turteltaub

Runtime

131 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

National Treasure is a traditional blockbuster that emphasizes the preservation of Western historical continuity through a predominantly Anglo-Saxon lens. It highlights the professional competence of its female lead while maintaining a focus on masculine leadership. The film successfully portrays the female lead as a competent professional, challenging the 'damsel in distress' cliché. However, it lacks the complexity needed to represent diverse identities and backgrounds. Overall, the story functions as a celebration of Western heritage, focusing on the lineage of the American Founding Fathers.

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Category Breakdown

Does National Treasure have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities, adhering strictly to the assumption that everyone is straight or cisgender.

How does National Treasure portray gender?

Fair

Abigail Chase is portrayed as a capable and intelligent professional who serves as an intellectual peer to the male protagonist. However, the central heroic arc remains focused on masculine leadership.

How racially and ethnically diverse is National Treasure?

Limited

The cast and main characters are primarily Anglo-Saxon, emphasizing a homogeneous view of historical importance centered around the Founding Fathers.

How does National Treasure represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The film celebrates Western heritage and American Revolution mythology, offering limited engagement with perspectives outside of traditional Western patriotism.

Does National Treasure include disability representation?

Minimal

Characters are depicted within the typical able-bodied archetypes of action-adventure films, with no significant focus on disabilities.

Present on Screen

Abigail Chase is shown as a highly competent professional with intellectual authority.
The film avoids the 'damsel in distress' cliché by making the female lead an essential investigative partner.

Limited or Absent

The cast lacks diversity, remaining predominantly Anglo-Saxon.
There is no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or individuals with disabilities.
The narrative focuses on a homogeneous view of history centered on the Founding Fathers.

Official Synopsis

Modern treasure hunters, led by archaeologist Ben Gates, search for a chest of riches rumored to have been stashed away by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin during the Revolutionary War. The chest's whereabouts may lie in secret clues embedded in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and Gates is in a race to find the gold before his enemies do.

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