Since it was first released in 2004, National Treasure is a film that has had significant staying power with action-adventure lovers and Nicolas Cage fans alike. The treasure hunting quest movie is equal parts action and comedy, with a little bit of romance and family drama mixed in, too.
National Treasure is a little bit of everything, but at its core, it's a very well-written and quotable movie. Thanks to a strong cast of characters, especially Justin Bartha's Riley Poole and Cage's Benjamin Franklin Gates, the film has some incredible dialogue that fans love to quote, even after all these years.
Ben And Sadusky: A Summary
"Is There A Door That Doesn't Lead To Prison?" "Someone's Gotta Go To Prison, Ben."
The relationship between Benjamin Franklin Gates and Special Agent Peter Sadusky is one of the most interesting elements of the National Treasure franchise. It's not hard to imagine a world in which these two would have been good friends and colleagues, given their equal intellect and interest in the same historical mysteries.
But as it turns out, the two are frequently at odds, even though they maintain begrudging respect in the middle of their iconic rivalry. Yet even in a moment of conflict, when they struggle to make a deal, the two find a moment of humor and connection: "Is there a door that doesn't lead to prison?" "Someone's gotta go to prison, Ben."
Riley Has A Way With Words
"It's A Big, Blue-ish Green Man With A Strange-Looking Goatee. I'm Guessing That's Significant."
Riley Poole is undoubtedly one of the most beloved characters in the National Treasure series, most of which is due to Justin Bartha's pitch-perfect comedic performance as the nerdy sidekick.
As a hacker with more knowledge of technology than of history, however, Riley doesn't always have the most to offer in of historical commentary, even when he is face to face with ancient treasures. He says this quote when facing ancient Egyptian statues, and then, ever the awkward one, Riley hilariously embraces the statue.
Abigail Finds An Unlikely Ally
"If You're Not A Steak, You Don't Belong Here." "I'm Just Trying To Hide From My Ex-Husband." "Who, Baldie? ... Honey, Stay As Long As You Like."
There are many high-stress situations in National Treasure, particularly when Ben, Riley, and Abigail become at odds with Ian and his henchmen. During one particular chase sequence, Abigail takes refuge in a street market, hiding behind the butcher's counter.
The woman working the stall is, at first, less than patient, snarkily remarking, "If you're not a steak, you don't belong here." When Abigail claims to be hiding from an ex, and the woman spots one of the imposing henchmen, however, her tune changes, producing one of the film's most memorable moments with this quote.
National Treasure Is A Comedy, Really
"You Know Something? You're Shouting Again." "Pretty Sure She Was Swearing, Too." "Well, We Probably Deserved That."
Considering the ridiculous situation that Ben and Riley meet Abigail in, and her incredulous reactions to their behavior and beliefs, it's a wonder that these three wind up being the incredible movie trio that they do.
Early on in their group relationship, things don't go as smoothly, as Abigail has very little time for Ben and Riley's recklessness, and they are likewise frustrated with her by-the-book nature. This produces a hilarious back and forth between Ben and Riley, where they scold Abigail for shouting and swearing, before ultimately deciding, "Well, we probably deserved that."
Riley Poole, Not A Romance Fan
"I'm So Sorry I Dropped You. I Had To Save The Declaration." "No, Don't Be. I Would Have Done Exactly The Same To You." "Really?" "Yeah." "I Would've Dropped You Both. Freaks."
The relationship that blossoms between Ben and Abigail across the first film is something that viewers are undeniably meant to root for, whether they are a movie couple that should have ended up together or not.
But someone who seems to really care a whole lot less about Ben and Abigail's feelings is none other than Riley himself. When Ben and Abigail engage in flustered and emotional half-apologies during a key moment of action, Riley cuts right through the feelings with this perfectly dry comment.
Aliens: 1, History: 0?
"How Do A Bunch Of Guys With Hand Tools Build All This?" "The Same Way They Built The Pyramids, And The Great Wall Of China." "Yeah. The Aliens Helped Them."
As should be clear by now, Riley Poole is often National Treasure's secret weapon when it comes to the humor department. He says what no one else is willing to say, and he often even says what no one else would ever think of.
In one particular exchange with Ben after they discover the treasure, Riley perfectly summarizes his own weird worldview with this quote. Ben tries to explain, but rather than accept the explanation, Riley says what only Riley would: "Yeah. The aliens helped them."
Riley Makes A Good Point
"Why Can't They Just Say, 'Go To This Place. Here's The Treasure. Spend It Wisely'?"
The treasure hunt at the heart of National Treasure is one with many twists and turns, due in large part to increasingly vague and hidden clues left by many of the nation's founding fathers and freemasons.
For many, including some of Ben's only family , these clues proved to be too difficult and frustrating, leading to generations of frustration. But it's Riley himself who gives voice to these feelings of aggravation in the perfect succinct way: "Why can't they just say, 'Go to this place. Here's the treasure. Spend it wisely'?"
A Rare Vulnerable Father-Son Moment
"You Did It, Ben. For All Of Us. Your Grandfather, And All Of Us. And I've Never Been So Happy To Be Proven Wrong."
National Treasure, at its core, is a story about family just as much as it is a story about treasure hunting and American history. The history of the Gates family, and particularly the men of the Gates family tree, is one of the biggest motivating factors for so much of what happens across both National Treasure films.
It makes sense, then, that much of the first film's emotional narrative focuses on the healing of the fractured father-son movie relationship between Ben and his father Patrick. By the film's end, when Ben has proven the existence of the treasure, after all, this moment of emotional catharsis finally takes place with this quote.
Riley's Relief
"Riley, Are You Crying?" "Look ... Stairs."
In the climactic sequence of National Treasure, the core group of characters discovers the long-lost treasure hidden beneath the Trinity Church in New York. But while they are there, they initially believe they are trapped.
That is, until, Riley begins to weep with sheer joy and relief as he notices an exit, something that is very uncharacteristic of his character to this point. When questioned about whether he is crying, his tearful explanation is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.
The Quote That Launched A Franchise (And Thousands Of Memes)
"I'm Gonna Steal The Declaration Of Independence."
Even if someone has never seen National Treasure, it's likely that they know of it as the movie where Nicolas Cage's character steals the Declaration of Independence for some reason or another.
Why is that? Well, it is, of course, due entirely to the prominence of this quote, both in the film's narrative and in the fan reaction to the film. When Ben boldly makes this declaration, it's the moment that changes the entire trajectory of the film and his life, but it's also the moment that spawned thousands upon thousands of memes, securing National Treasure its place in internet history.
