xv Independence. Ben must have serious deal with his partner Ian when Ian asked
him to join stealing the document of the Declaration. Ben and Riley told such information about Ian’s stealing plan toward
government institutions, but such institution like FBI and Department of Homeland Security disbelieved them. Then they met Abigail Chase the curator in
National Archives and she also had the same opinion as previous institutions. She thought surely it was impossible thus she was not going to worry about its safety.
Ben felt desperate and he had a plan to steal the Declaration in order to save it from Ian. Moreover, Ben’s father Patrick Henry Gate had unpleasant attitude
regarding the treasure story. He wanted to stop the madness and defected from the ranks of the obsessed to become disbeliever. There was a ‘hide and seek’ action
from Philadelphia, New York, to New Jersey between Ben, Ian, and Peter FBI. Ben was arrested by FBI when he ran from Ian gangs. Ian then tried to escape Ben
because he still needed Ben’s help. In order to increase the gravity of situation, Ian also involved Patrick, Riley, and Chase as hostages. Finally, Ben, Patrick,
Chase and Riley found a lot of treasure there, the greatest treasure in history which belonged to every people in the world. Ian was arrested by FBI for many
accusations.
B. Scope of the Study
From the previous background, the focus of research is obviously put on
the beliefs and values reflected in National Treasure as a popular movie. The popularity of the film was in entire America when the film National Treasure
stayed in the American box office between the end of 2004 and early 2005.
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C. Problem Statement
In this popular culture research, the researcher raises one problem as
follows: “What beliefs and values are reflected in the movie National Treasure?”
D. Objective of the Study
One point of question in problem statement is analysed later employing
related approach in order to find the answer. The objective of this study is: “To reveal out the beliefs and values which are reflected in the movie National
Treasure”.
E. Benefits of the Study
This thesis of American studies mainstream gives proper description of the American beliefs and values reflected in this movie. Moreover this study is
beneficial to complement the study of popular culture in popular art or product, especially in a movie.
F. Method of Research
Type of Research The type of research of this study is library research in the form of
descriptive qualitative one. According to Strauss and Corbin, qualitative research means any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of
statistical procedures or other means of quantification. It can refer to research about person’s lives, stories, behaviours; but also about organizational
xvii functioning, social movements, or interaction relationship. These includes
observation and interviews, but might also include document, book, and video tapes Strauss and Corbin, 1990: 18.
Source of Data and Supporting Data The main data of this research were taken from the original VCD of
National Treasure distributed in Indonesia by PT. Vision Interprima Pictures. This 2004 released movie is directed by John Turteltaub, produced by Jerry
Buckheimer in corporation with Walt Disney Pictures, and distributed by Buena Vista. Running time is approximately 135 minutes. The main data consisted of
dialogues, actions, pictures, sounds, setting of time, setting of place, etc in a whole movie.
Supporting data were collected from sources such as reviews of the film, production notes, criticisms taken from the internet and other books, and also
references on philosophy, American history, American social political condition, etc.
Technique of Processing the Data The data processing phases were directed as follows:
- Understanding phase: the main data were watched repeatedly and then
trying to understand the appropriate theory. -
Analysis phase: the approaches of this research were applied in describing the beliefs and values in the movie.
xviii -
Concluding phase: researcher evaluated and examined the result. The phase included conclusion or evaluation of the previous phase main data
analysis.
G. Theoretical Approach
