The Library of Congress plays a pivotal role in Walt Disney Pictures’ new film, “National Treasure: Book of Secrets.” Referred to as “NT2,” this sequel to the hit 2004 film—in which the Library also appeared briefly—finds Nicolas Cage reprising his character as treasure-hunter Ben Gates. Gates attempts to clear his family name from conspiracy charges in the matter of Lincoln’s assassination, and find the lost treasure of Cibola—all in just over two hours.
The Library’s Main Reading Room, book stacks and other areas of the Thomas Jefferson Building provide a backdrop for several scenes while Gates and crew search for the “Book of Secrets.” This fictional tome, for presidents’ eyes only, holds the nation’s top secrets. All told, the Library appears on screen for approximately 10 minutes.
Grossing about $400 million worldwide in the weeks following its Dec. 21 opening, the film was shot on location at the Library over two weekends in March and April. In managing the project, the Library’s Office of Communications worked with Disney and 13 Library offices and divisions to facilitate the filming, which averaged 12 hours a day (5 p.m. to 5 a.m.). The Library’s Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness conferred with the production team on matters pertaining to the Library’s tight security procedures. The Collections Access, Loan and Management Division was also an important player in staging the scenes in the Main Reading Room and book stacks.
The secret (and fictional) XY section of the stacks in the Main Reading Room, at left, holds an even-more secret compartment purported to contain the “Book of Secrets.” But the compartment is empty! - Matt Raymond
Lighting the awe-inspiring Main Reading Room was challenging. A “china ball,” a huge balloon with a giant light-bulb inside, floated overhead to shed light on the action. It took more than three hours to install and break down.
Director Jon Turteltaub, who described the Jefferson building as one of the most beautiful in the world, requested multiple takes at various angles. The production crew of some 100 people swelled with more than 50 extras.
The Library’s Main Reading Room in the Jefferson Building is the set for an evening shoot of one of the film’s suspenseful escape scenes. A technician adjusts the makeup on actor Harvey Keitel as a crowd of uniformed extras lines up behind him. - Matt Raymond
The cast and crew returned on a blustery cold weekend in April to shoot additional scenes. A scene calling for FBI agents and police to sprint up the Jefferson Building’s staircase was filmed on the West Front Driveway. Actor Harvey Keitel (reprising his role of agent Peter Sadusky) was on set that night.
Library staffers who had the opportunity to preview the film at Washington’s Uptown Theater on Dec. 17 applauded the lines uttered by actor Bruce Greenwood (playing the U.S. President): “Where else would you find a book? In the Library of Congress.” They also had the opportunity to view the “Book of Secrets” prop, on loan from Disney.
NT2 in the News
The film, a box-office success, received much media attention. USA Today reporter Anthony Breznican spoke with Cage about the various historical locations featured in the move. Of the Library, he said, “That is a spectacular and imposing building. It really takes your breath away at the grandeur and the size. [The Library can] awe you and overwhelm you.”
Elizabeth Brotherton of Roll Call spoke to Matt Raymond, the Library’s director of communications, regarding the accuracy of the movie’s portrayal of the Library. “There is a level of authenticity,” he said. However, exceptions include the classification system and access to the stacks. The “Book of Secrets” is found under the classification of XY, which does not exist. (There is an X, for pamphlets and ephemeral materials). And the stacks are off-limits to the public.
“Our mantra was, ‘It’s a movie,’” said Raymond, who hopes the film will encourage people to come visit the Library.
Washington Post reporter Dan Zak wrote an article chronicling his experience as an extra in the movie. With satirical flair, he described how he waited for hours to be called for a scene in the largest library in the world without any reading material to pass the time.
Other outlets running news of the movie and the Library’s role included The Sun Herald (Mississippi), People, The San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Times, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Newsday, Daily News (New York), Copley News Service, The Santa Fe New Mexican, Blast Magazine blog, Illawarra Mercury (Australia) and Canadian outlets Alberni Valley Times, Times Colonist, Edmonton Journal, National Post and The Standard.
