Masonic references in cinema / Freemasonry in movies
The internet has produced many unconfirmed sightings. Further reports, and confirmation in the form of screen captures and time marks, are always welcome. Please forward additional references, with details, to our editor.
Theatre or television viewings, without the opportunity to replay, will sometimes lead to mistaken reports. There is another category of film that is not included in this list. Both anti-masons and over-enthusiastic freemasons will find masonic references where none were intended. That the principals in The Lord of the Rings are traveling eastward and at one point pass between two pillars does not make theirs a masonic journey. Because entry to a private club in Eyes Wide Shut (1999) requires a password does not make it a masonic society. The all-seeing eye is not necessarily a masonic symbol. Some of these films, while not actually masonic, are included as masonic obscurities. A list of references in films to the masonic club, the Shriners is also posted on this website
Across the Pacific (1942)
In a shipboard scene, ju-jitsu exercises performed by Chinese sailors are compared to the initiatory nature of Freemasonry. Mary Astor, Sydney Greenstreet. Directed by John Huston. USA, English. *
The Affair of the Diamond Necklace (2001)
Christopher Walken plays Cagliostro, self-styled “the Grand Master of the Illuminati”, while Jonathan Pryce, as Bishop Rohen, hides his personal correspondence behind a panel in a desk decorated with masonic symbols. Hilary Swank, Jonathan Pryce, Adrien Brody, Brian Cox, Joely Richardson, Christopher Walken. Directed by Charles Shyer, written by John Sweet. Drama R 117 min., USA, English. Technicolor. *
L’Âge d’or (1930)
To avoid arrest, Gaston Modot, as “the Man”, produces a special delegate certificate, given to him by the International Goodwill Society. Although not immediately recognizable by the non-mason, it clearly displays a masonic design with an all-seeing eye in a radiant glory, two pillars with globes as well as three candlesticks on a checkerboard flooring. [00:28:10] Directed by Luis Buñuel, written by Luis Buñuel, Salvador Dalí. Gaston Modot, Lya Lys, Caridad de Laberdesque, Max Ernst, Josep Llorens Artigas, Lionel Salem, Germaine Noizet, Bonaventura Ibáñez. 60 min. France, French. Black and White, Mono. *
Aliens (1986)
Sgt. Apone, played by Al Matthews in a strong sympathetic role, wears a masonic ring. [00:28:07] Directed by James Cameron, written by James Cameron and David Giler. Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, Paul Reiser, Bill Paxton, William Hope, Jenette Goldstein, Al Matthews, Mark Rolston, Ricco Ross, Colette Hiller, Daniel Kash, Cynthia Dale Scott, Tip Tipping. 137 min. USA | UK, English, Eastmancolor, Dolby. *
American Gangster (2007)
Ted Levine, as Det. Lou Toback, wears a masonic lapel pin [0:13:18]. Directed by Ridley Scott, written by Steven Zaillian and Mark Jacobson. Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, Lymari Nadal, Ted Levine, Roger Guenveur Smith, John Hawkes, RZA, Yul Vazquez, Malcolm Goodwin, Ruby Dee, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Carla Gugino, Skyler Fortgang. 157 min. USA, English, Colour, Dolby. (Action) *
Anatomie (2000)
A student member of the Anti-Hippocratic Society—”a cross between the Freemasons and a college fraternity with old rituals, a lodge, the whole thing”—starts a killing spree that ends with the death of the Grand Master and the exposure of the society. Franka Potente, Benno Fürmann, Anna Loos, Sebastian Blomberg, Holger Speckhahn, Traugott Buhre. Directed and written by Stefan Ruzowitzky. AKA: Anatomy. 103 min. Germany, German / Latin. Colour, Dolby. (Horror) *
El Ángel exterminador “The Exterminating Angel” (1962)
Perhaps Luis Buñuel’s most surreal and allegorical film, there is one scene where, in a crowded room, two characters give each other what appears to be the sign of the Fellowcraft degree [00:18:00]. Later one asks the other for the name of his lodge. The other replies that it is Dawn Lodge No. 21. At a later point, one of the men lets out a cry that another man then explains is the masonic call for help. [01:18:00] While these two are specific masonic references, the story itself can be interpreted as a rebirth or resurrection story incorporating sacrifice and ritual. Directed by Luis Buñuel, written by Luis Buñuel. Silvia Pinal, Enrique Rambal, Claudio Brook, José Baviera, Augusto Benedico, Antonio Bravo, Jacqueline Andere , César del Campo, Rosa Elena Durgel, Lucy Gallardo, Enrique Garcia Álvarez , Ofelia Guilmáin, Nadia Haro Oliva, Tito Junco, Xavier Loya. 95 min. Mexico, Spanish, Black and White, Mono.
The Ant Bully (2006)
Lucas’s grandmother, who fears alien abduction, leaps out of her customized rocking chair to reveal an obviously masonic square and compasses. Why is it there? Perhaps only to attract the attention of websites such as this. [00:18:00] Directed by John A. Davis, written by John A. Davis, John Nickle (book). Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Paul Giamatti, Zach Tyler, Regina King, Bruce Campbell, Lily Tomlin, Cheri Oteri, Larry Miller, Allison Mack, Austin Majors, Ricardo Montalban, Myles Jeffrey, Jake T. Austin. 88 min. USA, English. Colour, Dolby. (Animation) *
The Apocalypse Watch (1997)
In charge of a team of agents tracking down a neo-nazi plot to poison England’s water supply, US Intelligence Officer Wesley Sorenson wears a masonic ring, prominently displayed in two scenes. [00:27:00] [01:18:00]. Directed by Kevin Connor, written by Robert Ludlum (novel) John Goldsmith. Patrick Bergin, John Shea, Virginia Madsen, Benedick Blythe, Malcolm Tierney, Al Matthews, Ted Maynard, Christopher Neame. 240 min. USA, English, Color, Stereo (Action) *
Arachnophobia (1990)
The opening scene of the small town where the main story takes place frames a welcome sign incorporating logos for Rotary International, Freemasonry and the Lions Club. [00:17:44] Note the similarity to the welcome sign in Overboard and others. Directed by Frank Marshall, written by Don Jakoby, Al Williams. Jeff Daniels, Harley Jane Kozak, John Goodman, Julian Sands, Stuart Pankin, Brian McNamara, Mark L. Taylor, Henry Jones, Peter Jason, James Handy, Roy Brocksmith, Kathy Kinney, Mary Carver, Garette Ratliff Henson, Marlene Katz. 103 min, USA, English Colour, Dolby. *
Are You a Mason? (1915)
Based on the play Die Logenbrüder in which two non-masons attempt to convince others that they are freemasons. Also produced on Broadway by Leo Ditrichstein. John Barrymore, Helen Freeman, Charles Dixon, Harold Lockwood. Directed by Thomas N. Heffron, written by Leo Ditrichstein (play) Eve Unsell. USA, English. Black and White, Silent. (Comedy) .
Are You a Mason? (1934)
Sonnie Hale, Robertson Hare, Davy Burnaby, Gwyneth Lloyd, Bertha Belmore, Joyce Kirby. Directed by Henry Edwards, written by Leo Ditrichstein (play) Emanuel Lederer (play). 70 min. UK, English. Black and White, Mono. (Comedy).
Bad Boys II (2003)
Narcotics officers Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Bennett (Martin Lawrence) use a tile installer’s truck, with a square and compasses sticker on the back door [00:18:00]. Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Jordi Mollà, Gabrielle Union, Peter Stormare. Directed by Michael Bay, written by George Gallo, Marianne Wibberley. 150 min. USA, English, Colour (Comedy). *
Bang Bang You’re Dead (2002)
Above a police station sign can be seen a square and compasses. [00:49:20]
Directed by Guy Ferland, written by William Mastrosimone. Tom Cavanagh, Ben Foster, Randy Harrison, Janel Moloney, Jane McGregor, David Paetkau, Eric Johnson, Kristian Ayre, Brent Glenen, Gillian Barber, Eric Keenleyside, Glynis Davies, Ryan Mcdonald, Chad Faust, Sabiston. USA | Canada, English. 87 min. Dolby, Colour. *
Bird (1988)
A biography of jazz musician Charlie “Yardbird” Parker. In a cemetery scene the camera pans across a row of monuments, one of which displays a square and compasses. Forest Whitaker, Diane Venora. Produced and directed by Clint Eastwood, written by Joel Oliansky. 160 min., USA, English. Colour. *
Bobby Bumps Starts a lodge (1916)
Young Bobby Bumps plays a trick on his friend who wants to be initiated into his lodge. When his friend outsmarts him and saves his life, they both agree to be initiated into the lodge together. Reference is made to a lodge apron, riding the goat and the third degree. Bray Productions, Inc. Paramount Pictures. Directed by Earl Hurd (d. 1940). Produced by J. R. Bray. piano score composed and performed by Philip Carli. 5:15 min/24 fps. Released September 28, 1916. 1 reel of 1 (ca. 615 ft.) : silent animation, b&w ; 35 mm. *
Brothers War (2009)
Other than the captain sporting a square and compasses tattoo and the major once crying out, “Is there no help for the widow’s son”, there is little other masonic content, although publicity for the movie focused on this theme. Directed by Jerry Buteyn, screenplay by Warren Lewis and Tino Struckmann. Tino Struckmann, Michael Berryman, Olivier Gruner, Hayley Carr, Hugh Daly, Jack Dimich, Adam Leadbeater, Tye Olson, Steve Holm, Dylan Kenin, Boris Kievsky, Time Winters, Joshua Minnick, Andreas T. Ramani, Mark Doerr. USA, English, Colour, Stereo. *
Can’t Hardly Wait (1998)
In the opening minutes of the film, Preston Meyers (Ethan Embry) wears what appears to be a masonic ring [00:02:50]. Although as a high school senior, he would only be eighteen years of age and therefore disqualified from membership in most masonic jurisdictions, in Pennsylvania — ostensibly the locale of the movie — that is the minimum age for an initiate. Or he could be wearing the ring for another reason. Or the ring might not display the masonic square and compasses but some other design that would be apparent if the image was clearer. Directed by Harry Elfont, Deborah Kaplan, written by Deborah Kaplan, Harry Elfont. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ethan Embry, Charlie Korsmo, Lauren Ambrose, Peter Facinelli, Seth Green, Brookhurst, Alexander Martin, Erik Palladino, Channon Roe, Sean Patrick Thomas, Freddy Rodríguez, Joel Michaely, Jay Paulson, Brian Hall. USA, English. 100 min., Dolby, Technicolor.
Captains Courageous (1937)
Captain Disko (Lionel Barrymore) wears a watch fob. Without a sharper image it is not posible to determine if it is a square and compasses emblem. [01:55:30] Directed by Victor Fleming, novel by Rudyard Kipling, script by John Lee Mahin. Freddie Bartholomew, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas, Charley Grapewin, Mickey Rooney, John Carradine, Oscar O’Shea, Jack La Rue, Walter Kingsford, Donald Briggs, Sam McDaniel, Bill Burrud. USA, English | Portuguese, Black & White, Mono, 117 min.
The Celebration. “Dogme 1, Festen” (1998)
[00:23:49 – 00:24:09] Helge Klingenfeldt to his youngest son Michael: “I’ve been asked to inquire whether you are interested in the lodge. I don’t see you as one of the brethren, I must say. But Christian has told Preben you’re doing well. And as Christian is not interested, you may expect to be invited — to join the Freemasons. Strike while the iron is hot. There is a long….” The camera pulls back to one of Helge’s associates: “He could make something of himself.” Helge finishes by saying: “We have to help you get on.” Helge (Henning Moritzen) is revealed to have molested two of his children, driving one to suicide. Michael (Thomas Bo Larsen), a violent quick-tempered married man with three children, is revealed to have had an affair with one of his parents’ maids, Michelle. Henning Moritzen, Paprika Steen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Ulrich Thomsen. Produced by Birgette Hald, written by Thomas Vinterberg. Danish, 106 min. Colour, Mono. 1998 (Drama) *
Chan Is Missing (1982)
During a montage of San Francisco Chinatown scenes, a square and compasses is briefly seen atop the Bing Kong Tong (秉公堂) Building at 35 Waverly Place. Calling themselves Chinese Free Masons, the link between Bing Kong Tong and Hong Men—also styling themselves Chinese Freemasons— is unclear. [00:47:20] Directed by Wayne Wang, written by Isaac Cronin and Wayne Wang. Wood Moy, Marc Hayashi, Laureen Chew, Peter Wang, Presco Tabios, Frankie Alarcon, Judi Nihei, Ellen Yeung, George Woo, Emily Woo Yamasaki, Virginia Cerenio, Roy Chan, Leong Pui Chee. 80 min. USA, English | Cantonese, Black and White, Mono. *
Conspiracy Theory (1997)
Mel Gibson, as programmed assassin turned cabbie, Jerry Fletcher, says “I mean George Bush knew what he was saying when he said New World Order, you remember those fatal words, New World Order? Well he was a 33rd degree mason you know and an ex director of the CIA.” [00:01:40]. Julia Roberts, as justice department lawyer, Alice Sutton, says: “I suppose they have a secret handshake.” [00:38:29]. Other references, if intended as such, are less obvious. Mel Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart. Directed by Richard Donner, written by Brian Helgeland. Warner Bros. 129 min., USA, English, Colour (Drama). *
Coup de torchon (1981)
In 1938 French West Africa, Lucien Cordier, as Philippe Noiret, describes his father: “He’s one of those people who believes there’s only one answer to every problem and one of those who blames everything on Jews and Freemasons.” [00:59:54] Directed by Bertrand Tavernier, written by Jean Aurenche Bertrand Tavernier. Philippe Noiret, Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Stéphane Audran, Eddy Mitchell, Guy Marchand, Irène Skobline. Also Known As Clean Up. 128 min. France, French, Colour. *
Cremaster Cycle (1995-2002)
A set of five art films with numerous masonic references. Directed by Matthew Barney, written by Matthew Barney. Cremaster 1 (1995): Marti Domination, Gemma Bourdon Smith, Kathleen Crepeau. 40 min. USA, English. Colour, Mono. , Cremaster 2 (1999), Cremaster 3 (2002), Cremaster 4 (1994), Cremaster 5 (1997): Ursula Andress, Matthew Barney, Joanne Rha. 55 min. USA, Hungarian, Colour. *
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
Tom Hanks, as Robert Langdon, stands in front of a display of “religious” symbols, including a masonic square and compasses in the bottom left corner. [00:03:40] The image can be seen in a promotional still but not in the film. Langdon makes a passing reference to Freemasonry near the end of the film [02:01:30] when he describes the symbols found in Rosslyn Chapel. Directed by Ron Howard, written by Akiva Goldsman (screenplay) Dan Brown (novel). Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Paul Bettany, Alfred Molina, Jürgen Prochnow, Jean-Yves Berteloot, Etienne Chicot, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Marie-Françoise Audollent, Rita Davies, Francesco Carnelutti, Seth Gabel, Shane Zaza. 149 min. Country: USA, English / French / Latin. Colour *
Dance of the Dead (2008)
As the zombies rise from the graveyard, a masonic headstone is seen. [0:20:50] Directed by Gregg Bishop, written by Joe Ballarini. Jared Kusnitz, Greyson Chadwick, Chandler Darby, Carissa Capobianco, Randy McDowell, Michael V. Mammoliti, Mark Lynch, Justin Welborn, Mark Oliver, Blair Redford, Lucas Till, Hunter Pierce, Jonathan Spencer, Stephen Caudill, J. Jacob Adelman. 95 min. USA, English, Colour, Dolby. *
Death of a Salesman (1985)
A masonic lapel pin is visible on Willy Loman’s jacket throughout this made for television movie.[01:36:00]. Directed by Volker Schlöndorff, written by Arthur Miller (1915-2005), Death of a Salesman. Dustin Hoffman, Kate Reid, John Malkovich, Stephen Lang, Charles Durning, Louis Zorich, David S. Chandler, Jon Polito, Kathryn Rossetter, Tom Signorelli, Linda Kozlowski, Karen Needle, Anne McIntosh, Michael Quinlan. USA, English, 136 min., Mono, Colour.
Dolores Claiborne (1995)
Delores’ bank manager—who is wearing a square and compasses lapel pin— tells her that her husband has emptied their joint savings account. Kathy Bates as Dolores Claiborne, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judy Parfitt, Christopher Plummer. Directed by Taylor Hackford, written by Stephen King (book), screenplay by Tony Gilroy. 132 min., USA, English. Dolby Digital, Technocolour. *
Domino (2005)
Manipulative, high-powered reality television producer Mark Heiss wears a masonic ring. [00:42:40]. Directed by Tony Scott, written by Richard Kelly, Steve Barancik. Keira Knightley, Mickey Rourke, Édgar Ramírez, Delroy Lindo, Mo’Nique, Mena Suvari, Macy Gray, Jacqueline Bisset, Dabney Coleman, Brian Austin Green, Ian Ziering, Stanley Kamel, Peter Jacobson, T.K. Carter, Kel O’Neill, Shondrella Avery, Lew Temple, Lucy Liu, Christopher Walken, Riz Abbasi, Joe Nunez, Dale Dickey, Charles Paraventi, Jerry Springer, Frederick Koehler, Tom Waits. France | USA | UK, English, 127 min. Dolby, Colour. *
Elmer Gantry (1960)
Edward Andrews as real estate agent, George F. Babbitt, says, “Do you realize that practically every American president was a mason and a Protestant?” He later exclaims, “I’m in business! I’m a thirty-second degree mason!” Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Shirley Jones. Directed and written by Richard Brooks. Novel by Sinclair Lewis (1885-1951). Fox, MGM, 146 min. USA, English, Colour. *
The End of Days (1999)
Arnold Schwartzenegger plays a former police officer who carries an amulet. At one point he says “Now this amulet is from a masonic order in the former sub-heredom of the Vatican Knights, the Knights of the Holy See. They await the return of the dark angel to earth.” Also, during the opening titles Elephis Lévi’s baphomet can be briefly seen. Gabriel Byrne, Kevin Pollak, Rod Steiger. Directed by Peter Hyams, written by Andrew W. Marlowe. *
Erin Brockovich (2000)
The cornerstone of the Barstow Courthouse displays a square and compasses. Although there is a report that in a later scene a friend of Erin tells her that her husband is out at a lodge meeting, your editor has been unable to find this scene in the DVD release. Julia Roberts, David Brisbin, Dawn Didawick, Albert Finney. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, written by Susannah Grant. 130 min. USA, English, Colour. *
Face (1997)
During a robbery in a locker room, thieves find a brown masonic case with Royal Arch regalia. [01:27:00]
Directed by Antonia Bird, written by Ronan Bennett. Robert Carlyle, Ray Winstone, Steve Sweeney, Gerry Conlon, Leon Black, David Boateng, Lena Headey, Eddie Nestor, Steven Waddington, Christine Tremarco, Andrew Tiernan, Sue Johnston, Damon Albarn, Philip Davis, Hazel Douglas. UK, English, 105 min. Dolby, Colour,
Fargo (1996)
Mean-spirited millionaire, Wade Gustafson, appears to be wearing a square and compasses ring. [00:08:20] Directed by Joel Coen, written by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen. William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi, Frances McDormand, Peter Stormare, Harve Presnell. 98 min, USA, English, Colour, Dolby. *
Flushed Away (2006)
The Toad, villain of the film, wears a ring, seen at [00:16:00] and [00:20:00]. It may represent a masonic square and compasses but unfortunately it is not shown in sharp enough focus to be sure. Directed by David Bowers and Sam Fell, weitten by Sam Fell (story) and Peter Lord. Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Bill Nighy, Andy Serkis, Shane Richie, Kathy Burke, David Suchet, Miriam Margolyes, Rachel Rawlinson, Susan Duerden, Miles Richardson, John Motson, Douglas Weston. 84 min. UK / USA, English. Color, Dolby. *
Forces occultes (1943)
Vichy France anti-masonry propaganda commissioned by German Nazis in 1942, this short film depicts the rise of a young French Member of Parliament who joins a masonic lodge only to realize that the Freemasons, along with the Jews, are plotting to push France into war against Germany. Directed by Jean Mamy, written by Jean Marquès-Rivière. Maurice Rémy, Marcel Vibert, Auguste Bovério, Gisèle Parry, Léonce Corne, Pierre Darteuil, Marcel Raine, Louise Flavie, Simone Arys, Colette Darfeuil, Henri Valbel. France, French, First release: 10 March 1943. 43 min., Mono, Black and White.
The Freemason (2013)
The tagline for this movie reinforces the stereotypical conspiracy theory trope: “Freemasons don’t control everything, only the things that matter.” Directed by Sohrab Mirmont, written by Allen Johnson. Sean Astin, Randy Wayne, Alex McKenna, Richard Dutcher, Joseph James, Jaisaac, Joe Pike, Skip Carlsen, Blake Webb, Mark Webb, Howard Charleboix, Rodney O’Neil Lewis, Jason Buchanan, Harris Chandler, Chad Wright. USA, English, 95 min., Colour.
From Hell (2001)
Implicates the Craft as being responsible for the Whitechapel murders in London. The many masonic images and references places this movie in the catagory of intentional anti-masonry. Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm. Directed by Albert Hughes, based on a graphic novel written by Alan Moore, Eddie Campbell. USA, English, 121 min., Colour. *
Gattopardo, Il “The Leopard” (1963)
Father Pirrone exclaims: “You nobles will come to an arrangement with the liberals…and even the masons? At the expense of the Church? [00:17:00]. Directed by Luchino Visconti. Written by Giuseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa (novel), Suso Cecchi d’Amico (screenplay). Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale, Alain Delon. 205 min. Italy / France. Italian. Technicolor, Mono. (Drama) *
Gettysburg (1993)
When Colonel Chamberlain is knocked to the ground, several soldiers help him up. The corporal on the left has a square and compass patch on his uniform. [02:07:00]]. Directed by Ronald F. Maxwell, written Michael Shaara (novel), Ronald F. Maxwell. Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Stephen Lang, Jeff Daniels, Richard Jordan, Andrew Prine, Cooper Huckabee, Patrick Gorman, Bo Brinkman, James Lancaster , William Morgan Sheppard, Kieran Mulroney, James Patrick Stuart, Tim Ruddy, Royce D. Applegate. USA, English, 271 min, Dolby, Colour *
Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)
In a depiction of a true story, convicted murderer, Byron “Delay” De La Beckwith (1920/11/09-2001/01/21)—played by James Wood—is shown driving a car with a Shriners symbol attached to his rear view mirror and, in several scenes, wearing a Shriners lapel pin. His victim, NAACP field secretary Medger W. Evers (1925/07/02-1963/06/12), is shown in his coffin with his Order of Elks fez placed on his chest. In real life, Byron De La Beckwith received his Master Mason degree in Greenwood Lodge No. 35, Mississippi, on 30 September, 1954. He was expelled from the lodge on 2 January, 1978. Directed by Rob Reiner, written by Leo Colick. Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg, James Woods. . USA *
The Godfather Part III (1990)
This fictional film echoes several events of the 1981 Italian P2 scandal. [00:00:00] Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, written by Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola. Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Andy Garcia, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, George Hamilton, Bridget Fonda, Sofia Coppola. 162 min / USA:169 min (video version). USA, English / Italian. Technicolor, Dolby. *
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Ludwig has what appears to be a square and compasses tattoo on his left hand. [00:46:00] Directed by Wes Anderson, written by Stefan Zweig. Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Léa Seydoux, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson. USA | Germany | UK, English | French, 99 min., Dolby, Color | Black and White. *
Help! (1965)
Ringo Starr asks an Indian restaurant doorman, “You know what this ring means?” He replies, “Freemason?” Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Leo McKern. Directed by Richard Lester, written by Charles Wood, Marc Behm. *
Hobson’s Choice (1954)
Three comments are made regarding Hobson attending a masonic meeting and his Master Mason’s certificate is briefly seen. [00:21:50] Directed by David Lean, written by Harold Brighouse, David Lean. Charles Laughton, John Mills, Brenda De Banzie, Daphne Anderson, Prunella Scales, Richard Wattis, Derek Blomfield, Helen Haye, Joseph Tomelty, Julien Mitchell, Gibb McLaughlin, Philip Stainton, Dorothy Gordon, Madge Brindley, John Laurie. UK, English, 107 min., Mono, Black and White. *
Hollywood Homicide (2003)
Keith David as Leon, Detective Joe Gavilan’s supervising officer, wears a masonic ring [00:55:50], clearly seen on the hand he’s holding the phone with. Harrison Ford, Josh Hartnett, Lena Olin, Bruce Greenwood, Isaiah Washington, Lolita Davidovich, Keith David, Master P, Dwight Yoakam, Martin Landau, Lou Diamond Phillips, Gladys Knight. Directed by Ron Shelton, written by Robert Souza, Ron Shelton. 116 min. USA, English. Colour, Dolby Digital (Action) *
The House at the End of Time (2013)
Unfortunately billed as a horror movie, this suspense movie incorporates multiple masonic images, all of which are irrelevent to the story but reinforce public perceptions of Fremasonry as mysterious and occult.[00:43:20], “La casa del fin de los tiempos”. Directed and written by Alejandro Hidalgo. Rosmel Bustamante, Adriana Calzadilla, Simona Chirinos, Gonzalo Cubero, Alexander Da Silva, Miguel Flores, Guillermo García, Amanda Key, José León, Guillermo Londoño, Héctor Mercado, Yucemar Morales, Ruddy Rodríguez, Efraín Romero. Venezuela, Spanish, 101 min., Colour.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)
This film will provide further opportunity for the conspiracy-minded to claim a Hollywood based agenda presenting perceived illuminati/masonic/luciferian symbols [00:13:13] harbinging the coming endtimes. Oddly enough there actually is a masonic square and compasses emblem, briefly seen on a painted stage backdrop. Also noteworthy is the number of all-seeing eyes in triangles or glories [00:22:46] that on two occasions are erroneously described as being satanic symbols. And what can only be described as a masonic obscurity is Terry Gilliam’s self-described homage to Roberto Calvi (found hanged under Blackfriars Bridge on 18 June 1982), when Heath Ledger’s character Tony is found hanging under the same bridge. [00:25:10]
Directed by Terry Gilliam, written by Terry Gilliam and Charles McKeown. Johnny Depp, Heath Ledger, Jude Law, Lily Cole, Colin Farrell, Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, Andrew Garfield, Peter Stormare, Verne Troyer, Paloma Faith, Montserrat Lombard, Michael Eklund, Cassandra Sawtell, Carrie Genzel. 123 min. UK | Canada | France, English | Russian | French, Colour, Dolby. *
In Cold Blood (1967)
During a police interrogation, accused murderer Dick Hickock says: “Everybody’s got a tattoo. Only you people call them clubs. Elks, Masons, Boy Scouts. Salute. High sign. Low sign. Secret this and secret that.” [01:29:00] A different line appears in the original book. Robert Blake, Scott Wilson. Directed and written by Richard Brooks, Truman Capote (book). 134 minutes. USA, English, B&W. *
Into the Wild (2007)
Both the Elks hall and Masonic Temple in Fairbanks can be seen in the opening scenes [00:01:42]. Directed by Sean Penn, written by Jon Krakauer, Sean Penn. Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Brian Dierker, Catherine Keener. 140 min., USA, English / Danish, Colour, Dolby. *
Jack the Ripper (1988)
Sherlock Holmes is shown giving a sign of an Entered Apprentice to the Chief of the Metropolitan Police; other references throughout the movie. Michael Caine as Inspector Frederick Abberline. [unconfirmed]
Keeping in Shape (1942)
An unidentified lunch companion in this comedy short is wearing a masonic ring. [00:03:28] Directed by Leslie M. Roush, written by Robert Benchley. Robert Benchley, Ruth Lee. 10 min. USA, English, Black and White, Mono. *
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
The square and compasses appear four times: twice in close-ups of an oversize masonic ring worn by the Phantom, a villain who tries to ignite a world war at the turn of the last century in order to create a market for his futuristic weapons and once on the office doors of the founder of the League, “M”, who is later revealed to be the same person. No other reference is made to Freemasonry. A shot of the square and compasses—four big shiny ones that flash and sparkle in the light as the door on which they’re mounted closes—also appears in the trailer. Sean Connery. Based on a graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore, who also gave us From Hell. *
The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice (2008)
A square and compasses pendant, important in the earlier The Librarian: Quest for the Spear, reappears as part of the opening credits montage. [00:01:00] Joe Knezevich also plays a minor character named Mason. Directed by Jonathan Frakes, written by Marco Schnabel. Noah Wyle, Bruce Davison, Stana Katic, Bob Newhart, Jane Curtin, Dikran Tulaine, Jason Douglas, Beth Burvant, Joe Knezevich, David Born, Joe Ross, John Curran, Connor Hill, Aimee Spring Fortier, Todd Voltz. USA, English, 90 min, Dolby, Colour. *
The Librarian : Return to King Solomon’s Mines (2006)
Flynn Carsen discovers that his father was a member of the Order of the Cryptic Masons [00:34:10], being the lineal descendant of one of twenty-four masons, hand picked by King Solomon to build an immense temple to store his wealth [00:22:47]. First seen at [00:08:00], an unusual amulet depicting a triangle inside a square and compasses is shown again at [00:19:00] and [00:22:47], and is later used as the key to unlock the treasure room. Directed by Jonathan Frakes, written by Marco Schnabel. Noah Wyle, Gabrielle Anwar, Bob Newhart, Jane Curtin, Olympia Dukakis, Erick Avari, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Robert Foxworth, Zahn McClarnon, Lisa Brenner, Mehboob Bawa, Jonathan Frakes. 92 min. USA, English | French | Arabic, Colour, Dolby. *
Lies & Illusions (2009)
El Katif Shrine in Spokane, Washington, provided a float for a St. Patrick’s Day parade in this adventure drama movie [00:00:00]. Neither the Shrine nor Freemasonry play any role in the story. Directed by Tibor Takács, written by Eric James. Christian Slater, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sarah Ann Schultz, Christa Campbell, Robert Giardina, Al Madrigal, John Casino, Merritt Yohnka, Lochlyn Munro, Alba Jeanne MacConnell, Barrie McConnell, Tracy Schornick, Kelly Hyde, Andrea Hubbard, Saybher Perrigo. USA, English, 93 min., Colour.
Like Water for Chocolate [Como agua para chocolate] (1992)
A masonic funeral is briefly seen through a window. Later, the young doctor shows the main character a drawing incorporating the square and compasses and an all-seeing eye [00:37:35] . Marco Leonardi, Tita Regina Torné, Iván Martínez. Directed by Alfonso Arau, written by Laura Esquivel. Novel by Laura Esquivel. 123 min. Mexico : Spanish *
Lone Star (1996)
Corrupt sheriff Charley Wade, played by Kris Kristofferson, is identified as a freemason by his ring as the movie begins. The ring is clearly seen in a later scene as he accepts a bribe [00:08::38]. Stephen Mendillo, Stephen J. Lang, Chris Cooper. Directed and written by John Sayles. USA, English, 135 min. (Drama/Mystery). *
Lonely Hearts (2006)
Nassau County Police Detective Elmer C. Robinson is shown in several scenes wearing what appears to be a masonic ring [00:07:00], [00:49:13], [00:50:10], [01:30:40]. The story is based on the director’s grandfather who was responsible for the apprehension and conviction of two murderers who, between 1947 and 1949, are believed to have killed as many as 20 women. Directed by Todd Robinson, written by Todd Robinson. John Travolta, James Gandolfini, Jared Leto, Salma Hayek, Scott Caan, Laura Dern, Michael Gaston, Bruce MacVittie, Dan Byrd, Andrew Wheeler, Alice Krige, Dagmara Dominczyk, John Doman, Bailee Madison, Ellen Travolta. 108 min. Germany | USA, English, Colour, Dolby. *
Lost Horizon (1937)
British diplomat Robert Conway and three others crash land in the Himalayas, and are rescued by the people of the mysterious, Eden-like valley of Shangri-la. Edward Everett Horton is interrupted, as he exclaims, “I’ve just finished translating one of the most interesting old tablets you can imagine. It told me all about the origin of the masonic symbols and science and….” Ronald Colman as Conway, Edward Everett Horton (1886/03/18 – 1970/09/29) as Alexander P. Lovett. Directed by Frank Capra, written by James Hilton & Robert Riskin. 132 min., USA, English, b&w. *
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985)
Edwin Hodgeman as Dr. Dealgood, the announcer introducing the fight between Max and Blaster wears a square and compasses image on his shirt front. Frank Thring, as the Collector, wears a lapel jewel that may be from a concordant masonic body. Mel Gibson, Tina Turner, Bruce Spence. Directed by George Millar. Australia/USA, English, 107 min. Colour, Dolby (Action/SF). *
Magnolia (1999)
Just before gameshow host Jimmy Gator, played by Philip Baker Hall, goes on stage, Burt Ramsey, played by Ricky Jay—who is wearing a masonic ring—asks him, “You with me, Jimmy?” Jimmy says, “The book says we may be through with the past but the past ain’t through with us.” to which Burt replies, “We met upon the level and we’re parting on the square.” [00:51:23]
While studying in the public library, gameshow contestant Stanley Specter, played by Jeremy Blackman, has a stack of books, one of which is Mackey’s History of Freemasonry.
Almost masonic is the stage backdrop which includes a number of symbols one of which is a compasses over a laurel.
Of no masonic significance, it is a curious piece of forshadowing when a stagehand briefly flashes a cue card with “Exodus 8:12” written on it. The movie ends with a rain of frogs.
Jason Robards, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Tom Cruise, Philip Baker Hall, Melora Waters, John C. Reilly, Jeremy Blackman, William H. Macy. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, written by Paul Thomas Anderson. 188 min. USA, English. Colour (DeLuxe), Dolby Digital. R. (Drama) *
The Majestic (2001)
Unrelated to the story, the square and compasses symbol can be seen once on a mausoleum in the cemetery scene and once on a building on Main Street in the later half of the movie. Jim Carrey, Bob Balaban, Jeffrey DeMunn, Hal Holbrook, Laurie Holden, Martin Landau. Directed by Frank Darabont, written by Michael Sloane. 152 min. USA, English. Technicolor, Dolby Digital. (Drama / Romance). *
The Man (2005)
The murderous, gun-dealing villain of the story, Joey Trent, is shown in two scenes wearing a masonic ring. In the first scene [00:13:32] the ring is unnaturally twisted on his finger so that it directly faces the camera. In the second scene [01:12:40] the ring is visible in close-up shots of Joey pointing a pistol during a stand-off with Samuel L. Jackson’s character, Derrick Vann. The positioning is too blatant to be unintentional but whether the intent was anti-masonic or marketing is impossible to determine. The motives of any film-maker who includes masonic references in a movie produced since the launch of the web are suspect. Directed by Les Mayfield, written by Jim Piddock, Margaret Oberman. Samuel L. Jackson, Eugene Levy, Luke Goss, Miguel Ferrer, Susie Essman, Anthony Mackie, Gigi Rice, Rachael Crawford, Philip Akin, Christopher Murray, Joel S. Keller, John Hemphill, Kathryn Greenwood, Carrie Cain-Sparks, George Ghali. 83 min. USA, English. Color, Dolby. *
The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
Based on a Rudyard Kipling story. Mercenary soldiers convince Kafiristan tribespeople that they are gods after discovering masonic symbols on religious artifacts. Sean Connery, Michael Caine. Directed by John Huston. 129 min. UK/USA, English, Colour. (Drama/Action). *
Miami Vice (2006)
Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx are parked in front of a Scottish Rite hall. [01:53:00]
Directed by Michael Mann, written by Michael Mann, Anthony Yerkovich. Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Li Gong, Luis Tosar, Naomie Harris, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Justin Theroux, Ciarán Hinds, Barry Shabaka Henley, Domenick Lombardozzi, Isaach De Bankolé, John Ortiz, Eddie Marsan, Ana Cristina De Oliveira, John Hawkes. 134 min. Germany / USA, English / Spanish / Cree. Colour, Dolby. *
Mississippi Burning (1988)
Willem Dafoe as Agent Alan Ward talks to Gene Hackman as Agent Rupert Anderson:
“There’s something wrong with him. He’s too confident.”
“What? Did you see the wedding photograph?”
“No. Why?”
“His three pals are ushers. They had this way of hooking their thumbs in their belts with the three fingers pointing down, like that.”
“So what is that? Some sort of masonic thing?”
“No. K K K.” [00:46:21]
Directed by Alan Parker, written by Chris Gerolmo. Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand. 128 min. USA, English. Colour (DeLuxe), Dolby (Drama) *
Murder at the Gallop (1963)
Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell as Inspector Craddock and Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple stand in front of a fireplace which displays a square and compasses horse brass. [00:24:00]
Directed by George Pollock. Agatha Christie (novel), James P. Cavanagh (screenplay). Margaret Rutherford, Stringer Davis, Robert Morley, Flora Robson, Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell, Gordon Harris, Robert Urquhart, Katya Douglas, James Villiers, Noel Howlett, Finlay Currie, Duncan Lamont, Kevin Stoney. 81 min. UK, English. Black and White, Mono *
Murder by Decree (1979)
Sherlock Holmes investigates London’s most infamous case, Jack the Ripper. As he investigates, he finds that the Ripper has friends in high places, implicating freemasons. Christopher Plummer, James Mason. Directed by Bob Clark. *
National Treasure (2004)
Benjamin Franklin Gates, played by Nicholas Cage, descends from a family of treasure-seekers who’ve all hunted for the same thing: a war chest hidden by the American founding fathers. This movie is yet another fictional attempt to link the freemasons, the Knights Templar and the founding of the USA through the use of various symbols, also seen in the film’s trailer. Nicolas Cage, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Diane Kruger, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Plummer, Jon Voight. Directed by Jon Turteltaub, written by Ted Elliott, E. Max Frye. USA, English. Colour, Stereo. (Adventure). Movie trailer found at bvim-qt.vitalstream.com. *
National Treasure Two: Book of Secrets (2007)
Artifact hunter Benjamin Franklin Gates, again played by Nicholas Cage, returns in this adventure sequel. Masonic references are limited mainly to citations of a secret correspondence between Queen Victoria and Confederate General Albert Pike and a suggestion that French freemason Frederic Bartholdi incorporated a clue to the treasure in his design of the Statue of Liberty because “Masons built clues into everything.” Nicolas Cage, Justin Bartha, Ed Harris, Jon Voight, Diane Kruger, Harvey Keitel, Helen Mirren. Directed by Jon Turteltaub, written by Gregory Poirier, Cormac Wibberley, Marianne Wibberley, Ted Elliott, Terry Russio. USA, English. Colour, Stereo. (Adventure).
Once a Mason (1919)
Sidney Drew, Mrs. Sidney Drew. Directed by Mrs. Sidney Drew, Sidney Drew, written by Mrs. Sidney Drew, Sidney Drew. USA, English. Black and White, Silent. (Comedy). [Mrs. Sidney Drew (18/04/1890- 3/11/1925), née: Lucille McVey: AKA: Lucille M. Drew, Lucille McVey, Jane Morrow), appeared in 54 films, wrote 29, directed 25 and produced one. Sidney Drew (28/08/1863- 09/04/1919) appeared in 160 films, directed 143, and wrote 53.]
Overboard (1987)
In the beginning of the movie, as Dean (Kurt) is driving into town, the camera pans past the “Welcome to “Elk Cove” sign. Attached is a very obvious large blue masonic emblem. Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Edward Herrmann, Katherine Helmond, Michael G. Hagerty, Roddy McDowall. Directed by Garry Marshall, written by Leslie Dixon . 106 min / 112 min (TCM print). USA, English. Metrocolour, Dolby. *
Paint Your Wagon (1969)
Alan Dexter, as Parson : “Ye godless jaspers! Who are you? Freemasons? Rosicrucians? Heathen emissaries from the dens of Babylon? Boozers. Gluttons. Gamblers. Harlots. Fornicators!” [01:33:00] This line dos not appear in the original 1951 Broadway production book by Alan Jay Lerner. Directed by Joshua Logan, written by Paddy Chayefsky, Alan Jay Lerner. Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, Jean Seberg. *
Paper Moon (1973)
Ryan O’Neal plays a travelling con-artist, Moses Pray, who sells “deluxe, gold-embossed personalized” Bibles to recently bereaved widows. His first sale after meeting Tatum O’Neal, as Addie Loggins, is to a widow whose late husband’s services were held at “Masonic Lodge No. 721” [00:18:00]. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, writing credits Joe David Brown (novel) Alvin Sargent (screenplay). Ryan O’Neal, Tatum O’Neal, Madeline Kahn, John Hillerman, P.J. Johnson, Lee Fulton, James N. Harrell, Lila Waters, Noble Willingham, Bob Young, Jack Saunders, Jody Wilbur, Liz Ross, Yvonne Harrison, Dorothy Price. 102 min. USA, English. Black and White, Mono. Based on Addie Pray, Joe David Brown. Boston, G. K. Hall, 1971. 529 p. 25 cm. ISBN: 0816160090. *
Passport to Pimlico (1949)
A Master Mason certificate is seen on a wall of the Home Secretary’s office. [00:30:30] Directed by Henry Cornelius, written by T.E.B. Clarke. Stanley Holloway, Betty Warren, Barbara Murray, Paul Dupuis, John Slater, Jane Hylton, Raymond Huntley, Philip Stainton, Roy Carr, Sydney Tafler, Nancy Gabrielle, Malcolm Knight, Hermione Baddeley, Roy Gladdish, Frederick Piper. UK, English, 84 min., Mono, Black and White
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
A masonic lodge hall sign with square and compasses can be seen early in the movie. Kathleen Turner, Nicolas Cage. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. *
Prisoners (2013)
Jake Gyllenhaal, as a police detective, wears a large masonic ring on his left little finger. It is seen on numerous occasions throughout the film as well as in the trailer. Directed by Denis Villeneuve, written by Aaron Guzikowski. Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano, Dylan Minnette, Zoe Borde, Erin Gerasimovich, Kyla Drew Simmons, Wayne Duvall, Len Cariou, David Dastmalchian, Brad James. USA, English. 153 min., Dolby, Colour.
The Pyramid (2014)
Archaeologists trying to escape from a pyramid discover the dessicated body of an earlier archaeologist whose last journal entry is dated May 21st, 1887. Dr. Nora comments on his large ring. [01:03:50 – 01:05:00] Directed by Grégory Levasseur, written by Daniel Meersand, Nick Simon. Ashley Hinshaw, Denis O’Hare, James Buckley, Christa Nicola, Amir K, Faycal Attougui, Philip Shelley, Ait Hamou Amine, Omar Benbrahim, Joseph Beddelem, Chakir El Faaiz, Garsha Arristos, Prince Shah. USA, English, 89 min., Dolby, Colour.
Revelation (2001)
The Knights Templar are searching for an ancient relic, the Loculus, so that they can resurrect Christ. Lord Martel tells the story of a masonic order called the Knights Templars (sic); a Knights Templar ceremony, several all-seeing eye symbols and pentagrams are depicted. A TV newscast mentions an illegal masonic order called the P2 CIA; the camera then pans to the word “Masonic” on a newspaper headline. The overall theme of the movie is anti-masonic. Terence Stamp, James D’Arcy, Natasha Wightman, Liam Cunningham, Heathcote Williams, Derek Jacobi. Directed by Stuart Urban, written by Frank Falco (idea) Stuart Urban. 111 min. UK, English, Colour (DeLuxe), Dolby Digital. Romulus Films, Overseas Filmgroup (Drama/Fantasy). *
Rosewood (1997)
Based on an actual incident in 1923, this movie has played fast and loose with the historical facts but none-the-less presents a scathing and realistic indictment of the times. While there is evidence of a masonic angle, the movie gives it far too much prominence. Masonic symbols are prominently displayed in several scenes. Jon Voight, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle. Directed by John Singleton, written by Gregory Poirier. 140 min. USA, English. Technicolor, Dolby Digital. R. (Action/Drama). *
Sands of Oblivion (2007)
When The Ten Commandments was filmed in 1923, Egyptian artifacts were brought to the United States for the filming. One contained an Anubis demon. “Director (and brother) Cecil B. DeMille was commissioned by a Hollywood Masonic Lodge to trap the demon in the sands of California. [00:57:40] The movie ends with Hollywood Masonic Lodge coming back and sealing the demon away again.” *
(TV) Directed by David Flores, written by Jeff Coatney, Kevin VanHook. Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Victor Webster, George Kennedy, Azie Tesfai, Richard Kind, John Aniston, Kristina Sisco, Grinnell Morris, Alan Kemper Armani, Eric Artell, April Bowlby, Dan Castellaneta, Henry Dankwah, Melissa Di Meglio, Jeremy Fitzgerald, Shannon Garnett, Jamel Gay, Kathleen LaGue, Charles Lister, Jeff Manzanares, Raymond O’Connor, Alejandro Patino, A.J. Presley, Angel Princess, Nick Principe, Anthony Reynolds, Wayne Roadie, Jack Samson, Daniel Mark Stafford, Chelse Swain, Diana Terranova, Sigmund Watkins, Paul Weber. 90 min. USA, English, Colour.
The Searchers (1956)
In a scene where Wayne rides into a Camanche camp after a battle, one of the dead Camanches is lying sprawled face up, wearing a blue cloth apron, similar in size to a masonic apron, with white ribbons sewn in the shape of a square and compasses. John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood. Directed by John Ford, Script by Frank Nugen. USA. English, 120 min., Colour (Western). *
Secrets (1982)
A group of girls at a boarding school re-enact a masonic ritual based on one girl’s deceased father’s ritual book. Helen Lindesey, Anne Campbell-Jones, Daisy Cockburn, Directed by Gavin Millar. British. *
Shoot ‘Em Up (2007)
Returning to the negative depictions of Freemasonry found in films such as The Man (2005), Giamatti plays a hired killer who, throughout the movie, wears a large masonic square and compasses on his jacket lapel. Directed by Michael Davis, written by Michael Davis. Clive Owen, Paul Giamatti, Monica Bellucci, Stephen McHattie, Greg Bryk, Daniel Pilon, Sidney Mende-Gibson, Lucas Mende-Gibson, Kaylyn Yellowlees, Ramona Pringle, Julian Richings, Tony Munch, Scott McCord, Wiley M. Pickett, Stephen R. Hart. 86 min. USA, English / Italian, Colour. *
The Shop on Main Street (1965)
In 1943 Czechoslovakia a police officer warns a nightclub crowd that they will have no mercy on “Jew-Bolshevists, Freemasons, plutocrats and other riff-raff.” [01:43:20] (Obchod na Korze) Idá Kaminská, Josef Kroner. Directed by Ján Kadár & Elmar Klos, screenplay by L. Grosman, Ján Kadár & Elmar Klos. 1965. 125 min. Czechoslovakia, Czechoslovakian, Filmové Studio Barrandov. B&W, mono. *
Short Circuit (1986)
Early in the film, shortly after a military demonstration, a computor programmer is shown working on a keyboard. A close-up of his hands typing on the keyboard shows what may be a masonic ring on his left hand. [00:00:00] Directed by John Badham, written by Brent Maddock, S.S. Wilson. Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, Fisher Stevens, Austin Pendleton, G.W. Bailey, Brian McNamara, Tim Blaney, Marvin J. McIntyre, John Garber, Penny Santon, Vernon Weddle, Barbara Tarbuck, Tom Lawrence, Fred Slyter, Billy Ray Sharkey. 98 min. USA, English, Color, Dolby. *
Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (2012)
Heather Mason walks by a masonic tracing board. [00:00:00]
Directed by Michael J. Bassett, written by Michael J. Bassett, Laurent Hadida, Adelaide Clemens, Kit Harington, Carrie-Anne Moss, Sean Bean, Radha Mitchell, Malcolm McDowell, Martin Donovan, Deborah Kara Unger, Roberto Campanella, Erin Pitt, Peter Outerbridge, Jefferson Brown, Milton Barnes, Heather Marks, Rachel Sellan. France | USA | Canada, English, 94 min., Dolby, Colour.
Sabotage (2014)
An enlargement of a masonic-themed poster is clearly seen in a drug cartel safe house.[01:10:09]
Directed by David Ayer, written by Skip Woods, David Ayer. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, Joe Manganiello, Josh Holloway, Terrence Howard, Max Martini, Kevin Vance, Mark Schlegel, Ned Yousef, Mireille Enos, Maurice Compte, Martin Donovan, Michael Monks, Nick Chacon, Tim Ware. USA, English, 109 min, Dolby, Colour.
Slacker (1991)
A montage of interconnected conversations and monologues, one is a rant on UFO conspiracies, one is on Kennedy assassination conspiracies and one later conversation is about the freemasons:
“The reason these guys are being forgotten though, is that they’re not Freemasons. The masons are the one’s that control history. Look at it, every… every president but one: mason. Every man that’s walked on the moon… thirty-third degree mason. I mean, look at the Warren commission, a Shriner convention without go-carts.”
“Exactly. The slate of American history needs to be wiped clean. We need to start all over again. Let’s put Larry Fieman in the history books. Let’s put Squeaky Fromme on the one dollar bill.”
“Least we ought to get that masonic pyramid bullshit off the back.” [01:14:40]
Directed and written by Richard Linklater. ‘Espresso Czar/Masonic Malcontent’ played by Dan Kratochvil. 97 min. USA, English. Colour, Ultra Stereo *
Snow Buddies (2008)
Street scenes depicting the fictional towns of both Ferndale, Washington and Ferntiuktuk, Alaska were filmed on Delta Avenue in the community of Ladner, BC. In several scenes the historic masonic lodge hall can be seen. In at least one unconfirmed scene the masonic square and compasses emblem is visible. Directed by Robert Vince, written by Robert Vince, Anna McRoberts. Voiced by Jim Belushi, Jimmy Bennett, Lothaire Bluteau, Jason Bryden, Kelly Chapek, Jarvis Dashkewytch, Mike Dopud, Josh Flitter, Tyler Foden, Skyler Gisondo, Whoopi Goldberg, Anthony Harrison, Nicholas Harrison, Henry Hodges, John Kapelos, Kris Kristofferson, Molly Shannon. USA, English, 87 min, Dolby,
Spartan (2004)
Curtis (Derek Luke) : “My name’s Curtis.”
Scott (Val Kilmer): “Do I need to know that? If I want camaraderie, I’ll join the Masons.” [00:05:30] Writen and directed by David Mamet. Tia Texada, Derek Luke, Val Kilmer, William H. Macy, David Paymer. Directed by David Mamet, written by David Mamet. 106 min. USA / Germany, English / Russian / Swedish. Colour, Dolby Digital. *
State of Play (2009)
A cobalt blue travel mug emblazened with the masonic square and compasses is visible on Washington Globe reporter Cal McAffrey’s cluttered kitchen table. [00;15:00] Directed by Kevin Macdonald, written by Matthew Michael Carnahan and Tony Gilroy. Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren, Robin Wright Penn, Jason Bateman, Jeff Daniels, Michael Berresse, Harry Lennix, Josh Mostel, Michael Weston, Barry Shabaka Henley, Viola Davis, David Harbour, Sarah Lord. 127 min. USA | UK | France, English, Colour, Dolby. *
Take Me Out To The Ball Game (1948)
The lyrics in the closing number, a reprise of Strictly USA, end with: “Like the annual Elks convention / Like masonic halls or firemen’s balls / Like honeymooning at Niagara Falls / They’re really here to stay / Cause it’s strictly USA.” Directed by Busby Berkeley, produced by Arthur Freed, written by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. Frank Sinatra, Esther Williams, Gene Kelly, Betty Garrett. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Loew’s Incorporated. 93 min. USA. English, Technicolor. (Musical / Comedy) *
They All Laughed (1981)
Patti Hansen, as Sam (Deborah Wilson), drives a taxi with a square and compasses pendant hanging from her rear view mirror. [00:00:00] Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, written by Peter Bogdanovich Blaine Novak. Audrey Hepburn, Ben Gazzara, Patti Hansen, John Ritter, Dorothy Stratten, Blaine Novak, Linda MacEwen, George Morfogen, Colleen Camp, Sean H. Ferrer, Glenn Scarpelli, Vassili Lambrinos, Antonia Bogdanovich, Sashy Bogdanovich, Sheila Stodden. 115 min. USA, English. Colour, Mono. *
Things to Come (1936)
In the year 1936 a global war begins. This war drags out over many decades … Raymond Massey as John Cabal/Oswald Cabal makes a reference to “The brotherhood of efficiency. The freemasonry of science.” [00:36:00] A later reference to “our children’s children” and the framing of many shots by pillars or arches is not necessarily significant. Edward Chapman as Pippa Passworthy/Raymond Passworthy, Ralph Richardson as The Boss, Margaretta Scott as Roxana/Rowena. Directed by William Cameron Menzies, Writing credits: H.G. Wells (also novel The Shape of Things to Come) AKA: The Shape of Things to Come. UK, English, 100 min., b&w, Mono. (Sci-Fi). *
Tombstone (1993)
A retelling of the gunfight at the OK Corral and its aftermath. Jon Tenney, as John Behan, Cochise County Sheriff wears a square and compasses watchfob. Buck Taylor, as Turkey Creek Jack Johnson, wearing a square and compasses pendant responds to Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday saying he has no friends by saying, “Hell, I’ve got lots of friends.” Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer. Directed by George P. Cosmatos, written by Kevin Jarre. USA, English. 130 min. Dolby, Technicolor (Western). *
Tooth Fairy 2 (2012)
Duplicitous mayorial candidate, Beauguard ‘Bo’ Billings, wears a large square and compasses emblem ring throughout the film, clearly visible in several close-ups during a wedding cake tasting scene. [00:56:50] Directed by Alex Zamm, written by Ben Zazove. Larry the Cable Guy (Daniel Lawrence Whitney), David Mackey, Erin Beute, John Connon, Bob Lipka, Lucius Baston, Gabriel Suttle, Brady Reiter, Ellie Brannan, Ashton Brown, Dajalynn Sanchez, Matthew Romeo, Reilly Gentges, Holland Hayes, Kristen Wharton. 90 min., USA, English, Colour. *
Travelling Salesman (2012)
Dialogue parodying ritual found in many nineteenth century masonic exposures is heard in a dream sequence. Considering the otherwise intellectual and philosophical depth of the script, the introduction of pseudo-masonic ritual is incongruous. The introduction of the all-seeing eye in a triangle as a watermark on presidential stationery is also gratuitous. [00:74:40] Directed by Timothy Lanzone, written by Andy Lanzone, Timothy Lanzone. Danny Barclay, Eric Bloom, David John Cole, Malek Houlihan, Matt Lagan, Marc Raymond, Tyler Seiple, Steve West. USA, English, 80 min, Dolby, Colour. *
True Grit (1969)
Kim Darby’s character, Matty, on viewing her recently deceased father in a coffin in a funeral parlour, tells the farm hand, “When you get home, you put him in a better coffin and you bury him in a mason’s apron.” [00:13:12] This line is based on the 1968 novel by Charles Portis. John Wayne, Glen Campbell, Robert Duvall. Directed by Henry Hathaway. USA, English. Colour (Western). *
True Grit (2010)
In an early scene in this version, Mattie, played by Hailee Steinfeld, looks down at her dead father’s belongings and among the items is a large gold square and compasses emblem [00:13:32]. An ashtray with a masonic square and compasses bordered by two pillars, is also seen in half-shadow while Mattie is counting money. [00:28:25] Directed by Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, written by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper, Dakin Matthews, Jarlath Conroy, Paul Rae, Domhnall Gleeson, Elizabeth Marvel, Roy Lee Jones, Ed Corbin, Leon Russom, Bruce Green, Candyce Hinkle. USA, English, 110 min. Dolby, Colour. *
Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs & a Baby (2008)
In this contemporary re-interpretation of the tale of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf, the pig who builds his house with bricks is named Mason. In the scene when they discuss keeping a foundling, a masonic square and compasses emblem is visible on the archway. [00:18:53] This completely irrelevent introduction of the masonic square and compasses is similar to an appearance in The Ant Bully (2006). Directed by Howard E. Baker, Arish Fyzee, written by Craig Bartlett, Joseph Purdy. Voices: Jon Cryer, Brad Garrett, Steve Zahn, Tom Kenny, Jesse McCartney, Timothy McCartney, Steve Wilcox, Nolan North, Chris Elwood, Mark Adair-Rios, Tara Strong, Audrey Wasilewski. Animation. 76 min. USA, English, Colour, Dolby. *
U-Turn (1997)
A married real estate salesman, Jake McKenna played by Nick Nolte, in Superior Arizona later married his daughter by his Apache mistress then hires a gambler on the run to kill her. He wears a masonic ring, seen in a close-up [00:41:05]. Directed by Oliver Stone, written by John Ridley. Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lopez, Powers Boothe, Claire Danes, Joaquin Phoenix, Jon Voight, Billy Bob Thornton. 125 min, France / USA, English. Technicolor, Dolby Digital. (Drama). *
War and Peace (1968)
Andre : “Have you made your mind at last? The Imperial Guard or diplomacy?”
Pierre Bezukhov : “I don’t know yet. I don’t like to be either. He must be a freemason, anyway. [00:09:40, Part 1]
Countess : “You’re flirting with him too.”
Natasha Rostova : “No, he [Pierre] is a freemason.” [00:05:41, Part 2] *
Voyna i mir (1968) (War and Peace). Directed by Sergei Bondarchuk, written by Sergei Bondarchuk, Vasili Solovyov . Irina Gubanova, Antonina Shuranova, Sergei Bondarchuk, Liudmila Savelieva, Sergei Bondarchuk, Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Anastasiya Vertinskaya, Irina Skobtseva, Vassily Lanovoy, Oleg Efremov. 4 parts, 403 min. Soviet Union, Russian. Sovcolor, Dolby (DVD). *
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010)
Eli Wallach, in a prominent cameo role, plays Jules Steinhardt, Schwartz’s patriarch and old guard Wall Street tycoon, seen wearing a masonic square and compasses lapel pin. [01:24:54]
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010). Directed by Oliver Stone. written by Allan Loeb, Stephen Schiff. Michael Douglas, Shia LaBeouf, Josh Brolin, Carey Mulligan, Eli Wallach, Susan Sarandon, Frank Langella, Austin Pendleton, John Bedford Lloyd, Vanessa Ferlito, John Buffalo Mailer, Jason Clarke, Christian Baha, Maria Bartiromo, Waltrudis Buck. USA, English, 133 min. Dolby, Color. *
We Own the Night (2007)
Unremarked, Deputy Chief Albert ‘Bert’ Grusinsky wears a masonic ring. [00:47:00] Directed by James Gray, written by James Gray. Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Alex Veadov, Dominic Colon, Danny Hoch, Oleg Taktarov, Moni Moshonov, Antoni Corone, Craig Walker, Tony Musante, Joe D’Onofrio, Yelena Solovey, Maggie Kiley. 117 min. USA, English / Russian, Colour, Dolby. *
What Planet Are You From? (2000)
Garry Shandling plays Harold Anderson who is an extraterrestrial working as a loans officer in a bank. His manager, Don Fisk played by Richard Jenkins, wears a masonic lapel pin. He is also wearing a wedding band and claims to be having an affair with one of his employees. Directed by Mike Nichols, Written by Garry Shandling, Michael Leeson. Garry Shandling, Annette Bening, John Goodman, Greg Kinnear, Ben Kingsley. 104 min. USA, English. Colour (DeLuxe), Dolby Digital / SDDS. R (Comedy). *
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
A masonic ring is worn by Ken Carver [01:07:06];, a small-town insurance salesman trying too hard to be an attentive father. Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis. Directed by Lasse Hallström, written by Peter Hedges. 118 min. USA, English. Colour, Dolby. (Drama) *
Z (1969)
When a pacifist and humanitarian speaker, “the Deputy”, is attacked on his way to a peace rally, an unidentified man joins the rally organizers to help get him to safety and then justifies his presence by saying: “I’m a mason.” [00:24:50]. Directed by Costa-Gavras, written by Vassilis Vassilikos (novel) Jorge Semprún. Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Jacques Perrin, Charles Denner, François Périer, Pierre Dux, Georges Géret, Bernard Fresson, Marcel Bozzuffi, Julien Guiomar, Magali Noël, Renato Salvatori, Habib Reda, Clotilde Joano. 127 min, Algeria / France, French. Eastmancolor, Mono. Visa de Contrôle Cinámatographique No. 34.695. *
* Confirmed by editor. For those interested in statistical analysis, a textfile of movies without masonic references is also available. The ratio of the ocurrence of the surname Smith to Mason in film is a little less than two and a half to one (.40171384056) whereas in the general North American population the ratio is almost fifteen to one (.0675944334). Whether this has any statistical relevance or significance is another question. As a comparison, the ratio of the ocurrence of the surname Smith to Jones in film is almost one to one whereas in the general population it’s slightly greater than one and a half to one.
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