Pelliculae Massonicae
by cinematicus | created - 21 Dec 2010 | updated - 05 Sep 2015 | PublicRepresentations of Masonry in the movies: movies that contain references to freemasonry, either in passing, or as a dramatical element.
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1. The Golden Age (1930)
Not Rated | 63 min | Comedy, Drama
A surrealist tale of a man and a woman who are passionately in love with each other, but their attempts to consummate that passion are constantly thwarted by their families, the Church, and bourgeois society.
Director: Luis Buñuel | Stars: Gaston Modot, Lya Lys, Caridad de Laberdesque, Max Ernst
Votes: 14,806 | Gross: $0.03M
To avoid arrest, "the Man" (Gaston Modot), produces a special delegate certificate, given to him by the International Goodwill Society, depicting Masonic symbols
2. The Leopard (1963)
PG | 186 min | Drama, History
The Prince of Salina, a noble aristocrat of impeccable integrity, tries to preserve his family and class amid the tumultuous social upheavals of 1860s Sicily.
Director: Luchino Visconti | Stars: Burt Lancaster, Alain Delon, Claudia Cardinale, Paolo Stoppa
Votes: 28,806
Father Pirrone exclaims: "You nobles will come to an arrangement with the liberals...and even the masons? At the expense of the Church?"
3. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Approved | 137 min | Drama, Horror
A young couple trying for a baby moves into an aging, ornate apartment building on Central Park West, where they find themselves surrounded by peculiar neighbors.
Director: Roman Polanski | Stars: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
Votes: 235,097
4. Z (1969)
M/PG | 127 min | Crime, Drama, Thriller
The public murder of a prominent politician and doctor amid a violent demonstration is covered up by military and government officials. A tenacious magistrate is determined not to let them get away with it.
Director: Costa-Gavras | Stars: Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jean-Louis Trintignant, François Périer
Votes: 31,343 | Gross: $0.08M
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."]
5. The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
PG | 129 min | Adventure, Drama, War
In 1880s India, two former British soldiers decide to set themselves up as Kings in Kafiristan, a land where no white man has set foot since Alexander the Great.
Director: John Huston | Stars: Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Christopher Plummer, Saeed Jaffrey
Votes: 52,018
two masonic colonial soldiers find alexander the macedonian brought masonry and is worshipped by a remote isolated tribe who take them for kings on account of their masonic pendant.
6. Being There (1979)
PG | 130 min | Comedy, Drama
After the death of his employer forces him out of the only home he's ever known, a simpleminded, sheltered gardener becomes an unlikely trusted advisor to a powerful tycoon and an insider in Washington politics.
Director: Hal Ashby | Stars: Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine, Melvyn Douglas, Jack Warden
Votes: 77,631 | Gross: $30.18M
the character of Benjamin Turnbull 'Ben' Rand (Melvyn Douglas) was given a Masonic funeral. Peter Sellers himself was a freemason.
7. Murder by Decree (1979)
PG | 124 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders commited by Jack the Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer.
Director: Bob Clark | Stars: Christopher Plummer, James Mason, David Hemmings, Susan Clark
Votes: 6,592
Plummer's character presents some pseudo-masonic signs to another character to prove he is a fellow Mason.
8.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984–1985)
Episode:
The Norwood Builder
(1985)
TV-PG | 52 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When a notorious retired builder is found dead, his recently-named heir is the prime suspect.
Director: Ken Grieve | Stars: Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Rosalie Crutchley, Colin Jeavons
Votes: 1,039
Sherlock identifies a man seeking his help as a mason by his watch chain.
9. Aliens (1986)
R | 137 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Decades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.
Director: James Cameron | Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn, Paul Reiser
Votes: 762,816 | Gross: $85.16M
Sgt. Apone (Al Matthews), wears a masonic ring.
10. Tombstone (1993)
R | 130 min | Biography, Drama, History
A successful lawman's plans to retire anonymously in Tombstone, Arizona are disrupted by the kind of outlaws he was famous for eliminating.
Directors: George P. Cosmatos, Kevin Jarre | Stars: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton
Votes: 166,210 | Gross: $56.51M
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."
11. NewsRadio (1995–1999)
TV-14 | 23 min | Comedy, Romance
The workplace sitcom "NewsRadio" explores the office politics and interpersonal relationships among the staff of WNYX NewsRadio, New York's #2 news radio station.
Stars: David Foley, Stephen Root, Andy Dick, Maura Tierney
Votes: 17,332
one episode discusses a character asking the station's owner for the masons' password to gain favor with a court judge ...
12. Rosewood (1997)
R | 140 min | Action, Drama, History
A dramatization of a 1923 horrific racist lynch mob attack on an African-American community.
Director: John Singleton | Stars: Jon Voight, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Bruce McGill
Votes: 8,902 | Gross: $13.10M
white supremacists lynch blacks even though they appeal to their common masonic fraternal vow of mutual protection
13. Magnolia (1999)
R | 188 min | Drama
An epic mosaic of interrelated characters in search of love, forgiveness and meaning in the San Fernando Valley.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson | Stars: Tom Cruise, Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Votes: 328,401 | Gross: $22.46M
at some point the TV show host tells his partner "we meet on the level, and part on the square"
14. From Hell (2001)
R | 122 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
After five ritualistic murders are committed in 1888 London, Inspector Abberline's assignment is to investigate the "Jack the Ripper" murders. Along with a string of mutilated prostitutes, he uncovers a conspiracy involving the government.
Directors: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes | Stars: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane
Votes: 164,180 | Gross: $31.60M
it is implied a cover-up is mounted by a highly placed masonic lodge to protect a Royal who is a member of it
15. The Affair of the Necklace (2001)
R | 118 min | Drama, History, Romance
In pre-Revolutionary France, a young aristocratic woman left penniless by the political unrest in the country must avenge her family's fall from grace by scheming to steal a priceless necklace.
Director: Charles Shyer | Stars: Hilary Swank, Simon Baker, Jonathan Pryce, Adrien Brody
Votes: 5,595 | Gross: $0.43M
Christopher Walken plays Cagliostro, self-styled "the Grand Master of the Illuminati"
16. The Baby Juice Express (2004)
Comedy, Crime
Desmond (Nick Moran) and Frank (Philip Davis) have no idea what to do with £20,000 in mob money that they acquire. When a beautiful woman skillfully takes it away from Frank, he and Desmond... See full summary »
Director: Michael Hurst | Stars: Caroline Amborof, Nick Brimble, Joe Bugner Jr., Joe Bugner
Votes: 272
the protagonist's father is an active mason.
17. Domino (2005)
R | 127 min | Action, Biography, Crime
A recounting of Domino Harvey's life story. The daughter of actor Laurence Harvey turned away from her career as a Ford model to become a bounty hunter.
Director: Tony Scott | Stars: Keira Knightley, Mickey Rourke, Edgar Ramírez, Rizz Abbasi
Votes: 69,379 | Gross: $10.17M
At about the 45 minute mark, Christopher Walken is reported to be wearing a masonic ring.
18. American Gangster (2007)
R | 157 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
An outcast New York City cop is charged with bringing down Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, whose real life inspired this partly biographical film.
Director: Ridley Scott | Stars: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin
Votes: 452,430 | Gross: $130.16M
Ted Levine, as Det. Lou Toback, wears a masonic lapel pin.
19. Il Divo (2008)
Not Rated | 110 min | Biography, Drama
The story of Italian politician Giulio Andreotti, who has served as Prime Minister of Italy seven times since the restoration of democracy in 1946.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino | Stars: Toni Servillo, Anna Bonaiuto, Giulio Bosetti, Flavio Bucci
Votes: 19,003 | Gross: $0.24M
makes references to the notorious P2 lodge which mounted terrorist black flag operations to pin them on leftist parties and activists
20. State of Play (2009)
PG-13 | 127 min | Crime, Drama, Mystery
When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist starts investigating the case involving the Representative, his old college friend.
Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren
Votes: 160,390 | Gross: $37.02M
A cobalt blue travel mug emblazened with the masonic square and compasses is visible on Washington Globe reporter Cal McAffrey's cluttered kitchen table.
21.
The Pacific (2010)
Episode:
Peleliu Hills
(2010)
TV-MA | 55 min | Action, Adventure, Drama
Sledge finds the carnage and death of his companions on Peleilu increasingly difficult to bear as Basilone continues his bond drive in the States.
Director: Timothy Van Patten | Stars: James Badge Dale, Joseph Mazzello, Jon Seda, Brendan Fletcher
Votes: 2,270
One of the characters attends a Shriner fundraiser as a medal awardee to promote war bonds.
22. Bernie (2011)
PG-13 | 104 min | Biography, Comedy, Crime
In small-town Texas, an affable mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when she starts to become controlling, he goes to great lengths to separate himself from her grasp.
Director: Richard Linklater | Stars: Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine, Matthew McConaughey, Brady Coleman
Votes: 63,434 | Gross: $9.20M
Toward the end of the movie, a Masonic plaque fixed to the courthouse appears briefly in an exterior scene, with people sitting on the lawn in front of it.
23. Pawn (I) (2013)
R | 88 min | Action, Crime, Mystery
A petty robbery spirals into a tense hostage situation after three gunmen hold up a diner that's a front for the mob.
Director: David A. Armstrong | Stars: Max Beesley, Marton Csokas, Stephen Lang, Jessica Szohr
Votes: 7,435 | Gross: $0.00M
Opening scene shows a Masonic temple to the right of the diner, with the lettering "Masonic temple" above its portico and the square and compass symbol below them. Opening credit sequence features a craft symbol.
24.
Toast of London (2012–2020)
Episode:
High Winds Actor
(2014)
TV-MA | 23 min | Comedy
When Steven's friend Axel Jacklin, Britain's best actor at performing in front of a wind machine, dies Steven's agent Jane puts him up for the leading role in a period maritime drama and he... See full summary »
Director: Michael Cumming | Stars: Matt Berry, Robert Bathurst, Doon Mackichan, Tim Downie
Votes: 234
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