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Decoded: Dan Brown's Lost Symbol

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Decoded: Dan Brown's Lost Symbol

Cast and Crew Information

Cast

Presenter: Tony Robinson

Watch this episode now on 4oD Tony Robinson

Dan Brown's latest blockbuster, The Lost Symbol, once again has dashing Professor Robert Langdon on a frantic quest to solve impossible riddles, trying to save the life of the leading Freemason in Washington DC. But in the course of the chase the extraordinary history of those masters of ritual and secrecy, the Masons, come firmly into the spotlight.

Brown is as keen as ever for readers to know that 'all the organisations in this novel exist; all the, rituals, science artwork and monuments in this book are real'. In this sequel to 2005's programme The Real Da Vinci Code, Tony Robinson sets off to find the truth behind these claims and the novel's plot.

On his journey Tony must grapple with a world of impenetrable symbols and untangle the Freemasons' strange involvement in the creation of the USA. He criss-crosses the Atlantic as he digs deeper and deeper to answer key questions thrown up by this complex novel.

Did the Freemasons create the United States of America for their own secret purposes? Did they encode strange symbols into the streets and structures of the nation's capital? What could they have learnt from 17th century alchemists like Isaac Newton? Can Tony use the power of his mind to move objects? And are the Masons really still powerful today?

In this roller coaster of a film, Tony's hopes for hidden truths are constantly raised and dashed as he investigates the Masonic influence on past and present, and delves into the truth of their rituals and secrets.

And while the science and the monuments may be real Tony asks if they are quite what Brown claims.

Watch now on 4oD

On TV

First Shown

Date	Time	Channel
Saturday 26 December 2009	9PM	Channel 4

Last Shown

Date	Time	Channel
Saturday 26 December 2009	9PM	Channel 4

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Comments

I recorded this a month ago and just watched it. What a shoddy documentary. It is amazing isn't it that despite the clear evidence of masonic symbolism all around Washington DC, most of it massively expensive, artistic and monumental, and despite the symbols on the dollar note etc., etc., etc., Robinson is more easily persuaded by the casual denials of masons themselves. Although most of them did not deny, they just ridiculed, thereby avoiding answering the direct question. Secrets kept for thousands of years were expected to be divulged on national tv to some has been actor? Tony, if what is before your eyes is obscure to you, what hope of discovering that which is concealed from you.

Posted by taomaster on 21/01/2010 23:43:36

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Sorry Tony - you've lots several million brownie points with me also. Dumbed down in the extreme, this 'investigative' documentary promised much and delivered all but nothing. But then, what did we expect.....?

Posted by Mac on 18/01/2010 00:54:31

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This program is a complete and utter shambles. Not only is there plenty of information left out of this documentary, like the fact that also on a 1 dollar bill there is a tiny owl, which is Molech, the owl god they all worship, but he asks one person if Dan Brown is right, they say no and thats it. I agree with LEO, this is VERY biased but i suppose it was silly of any of us to expect them to allow the truth on television. Most of the people that he interviews are almost defiantly members of the secret societies. A serial killer wont tell you that they kill people, so can you really expect the head of a masonic lodge to tell everyone that they are Satan worshipers that are running the world? No i dont think so. The smugness of Tony is almost repulsive throughout this program and channel four should think about doing a real documentary on the subject as i personally, like many others have, have look into this subject before Dan brown had even written his first book and have a lot more evidence in a file on my desktop than this "documentary" mentions. On the whole this program only further re-enforces the theory that we do have powers that have been suppressed and that the masons do rule society, this was a pathetic attempt to throw the public, who you blatantly this are very very stupid, of a scent that smells worse than bad fish! nice try c4.

Posted by neoroses on 17/01/2010 21:21:03

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Probably the most biased documentary I've seen in a long time. Tony Robinson is a fool if he's as naive as he's making out. Lost a lot of respect for the man. At one point regarding Masonic symbolism and the American dollar bill, Tony neglects clear evidence in favour of a BS opinion of a government representative!? Ridiculous. Real disappointment.

Posted by Leo on 11/01/2010 16:55:52

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I know it isn't, but just suppose for the sake of argument that every little detail stated by Dan Brown in his book is true. In what way would Tony Robinson's experience have differed from what he actually experienced? Would the various Freemasons interviewed have fallen over themselves in their rush to divulge secrets that they had sworn never to divulge on pain of death? Would the person presented with a map with a clearly marked pentacle, set square and compass covering some of the most important landmarks of D.C. have said "yes, that's definitely Masonic"? Unlikely, when even Prof. Langdon in the novel aims to debunk the notion. Robinson talks about (without actually debunking) Masons drinking blood from a skull, when the book has them drinking blood-red WINE, which I find quite plausible. Robinson states flatly that Jefferson wasn't a Mason, when there's strong evidence suggesting he was, including Masonic bibles with a list of Masonic presidents which include him. Robinson even lets Dr, Chapman get away with describing the notion of the invisible college accessing ancient wisdom as "nonsense lit up in bright neon lights" when it is well established that e.g. Newton, great scientist though he was, was also an astrologer who placed great emphasis on rediscovering the occult wisdom of the ancients, and probably considered this to be even more important than his science. Even Pod 5. Robinson "debunks" it largely by exploring Pod 4. Towards the end he seems to have magically transitioned into pod 5, but he also seems to be taking it on trust that this is the case, when it would be a simple matter to have switched the labels for two of the pods in preparation for his arrival. Etcetera.

Posted by mtgradwell on 11/01/2010 13:32:09

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Channel 4 - Hang your head in shame! This was not a documentary or even a serious attempt at any kind of investigation. Tony Robinson who came to light playing a mono-toned idiot on Blackadder and then played a runabout character asking archeologists what they were doing on Time Team is not capable of investigating anything more than the dregs of a glass of beer. I've read the book which I was disappointed with. However, Tony's attempt at investigation reminded me of his exertions on Time Team and his 'cunning plans' on Blackadder. Basically running around asking a lot of people what they thought and then taking them at their word, regardless of how lacking their answers were when it came to factual evidence! The final insult was when he sat there at the end and between gulps of beer accused Dan Brown of being lazy. Lazy! Compared to what - certainly not Tony Robinson's investigation. I was really hoping for something more interesting and evidential than this excuse for a documentary. If a program's worth making, even from a light hearted point of view, then please, please give it some substance - and a presenter who is prepared to do some basic work!

Posted by Nick on 10/01/2010 19:25:46

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I have read the Lost Symbol book and I am pretty sure that there is no conpiracy theory relating to freemasons taking over the world. I was really disappointed with Tony Robinson's programme and i think the interviews were handled immaturely. It takes such a lot of time and effort to to do a research and find the relevant information,however the presenter interviewed three people and it was enough for him to believe that everything that was written in the book was fiction. I particularly hated the last bit when he made fun of Dan Brown saying that he was wondering who Dan Brown was going to target next.There isnt anyone targetted in the book and Noetic science does exist,the professor mentioned in the book actually exists you can look up on the internet and get information about Noetic science.

Posted by Guler Hacioglu on 10/01/2010 19:04:23

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Thoroughly enjoied the program, hugely entertaining and Tony Robinson excellent as ever. I read the Da Vinci Code back in 2004, finished it in approx two days having figured it out by the second page! I was bored rigid. I wish I could produce a blockbuster and laugh all the way to the Bank!

Posted by Breda on 10/01/2010 19:00:19

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What an absolute idiot Tony Robinson is!! Did he not realise that the book was fictional? He went into the Smithsonian and seemed genuinley surprised that one of the chracters lab wasnt there!!! Ummmm Tony, the book is fictional, Dan Brown stated that the science, symbols, societies etc are real but didnt state that the story was real. I was half expecting him to go to Harvard and interview Robert Langdon. I dont believe that the Freemasons are planning on taking over the world or that we are on the cusp of Psychic powers but to present a programme like this is very dissappointing. He had a weird grin on his face every time he heard something that went against the fictional story, like he had a strange thrill that he was somehow debunking a major scientific theory. Go back to digging in the ground Tony, you have gone down in my estimation for this rubbish (so called) "documetary"!

Posted by Chris on 10/01/2010 18:46:00

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I don't think it is necessary for Robert Langdon to search for any truth when he obviously has no real insight to real life. How could you possibly ask people about the mansonary and expect them to tell you the truth, there power is not easily exposed. The truth lies in the heart and then the heart leads you to it. Dan's belief and heart revealed the truth for him far from what Robert Langdon's heart will do. It will see truth but have no heart to take in the knowledge and see real. It's in the music industry, it's spreaded and controlled. To have that truth fully you wouldn't be here now. That's some thing to always think about.

Posted by sabrina on 10/01/2010 18:13:25

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How hilarious a programme about freemasons hmmm....a ploy by freemasons to throw people of the scent? A lot of conspiracy theorys have been broadcasted over the internet. People need to open there eyes. Do your own research on the freemasons and the illumaniti.people need to stop being brain washed and see things how they really are. I wouldnt believe a single word of this documentary as the freemasons are supposedly very secretive and I hardly believe they would like to have a documentary airing their dirty laundry to the public...hardly the message they would want to be brain washing the nation with they would rather famous musicians broadcasting there existance in there music and music videos...puppets for the illumaniti. I am so fed up of the lies! many people know their plans for the new world order etc amongst other terrible things to keep them on top and yet they choose to egnore it and hope it will go away. Well it wont people need to get clued up..the sooner the better!

Posted by Daniella on 01/01/2010 09:30:09

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I find it Too that the the programme is another hoax intended at silencing any fears of the imminent threat to World PEace that Masonary could serve. Tony sais: there are ancient secrets that have powers and that We should be glad that they are possesed by those worthy !!? In all Ironyl; Thank God its those worthy ones that have control over the world. (look at the state its in) Had it not been the worthy ones where might we be. I mean it is really dissapointing to be told such lies when everyone knows the evil and greed in this world is directly linked those in control. Look at it from the view of having dodgy foundations in a building rather than an evil eye above us!

Posted by Philip JAcob on 31/12/2009 13:23:07

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the programme was a masterful production, with excellent visuals and a superb script, being well paced and highly informative. tony robinson's "expose" of dan brown's novel was presented & delivered with his customary expertise and wit. thany you for a very entertaining 50 minutes

Posted by paul mahon on 29/12/2009 12:06:35

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Hey C4! Just finished watching Decoded: Dan Brown's Lost Symbol, and for the most part found it interesting and informative, however having just finished reading the book which it investigates I noticed something. It suggests the book claims that George Washington commissioned a French architect to put masonic symbols in the street plan of Washington DC. But Robert Langdon tells one of his students that its just a coincidence and the same could be found in any large town. Is this a mistake, done in the interest of entertainment or just an example of how the book takes advantage of the myths surrounding freemasonry? I found it the show entertaining anyhow, Tony Robinson is great and look forward to more docs of this kind. thanks Chris.

Posted by cjd2001 on 28/12/2009 23:32:42

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Did tony realy expect the masonic movement in both britain and americe to open its doors to the secret society. Stick to digging holes robinson this programme was full of face value nonsence. If the masons had told you white was black you would have said ok and walked away satisfied that you had just herd the truth..oh and it did make me wonder are there or have there ever been masons in your family tony.

Posted by RICHARD BISHOP on 28/12/2009 13:47:04

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A light hearted look at freemasonary and linking it to the book that made good TV viewing. Let's not forget the books are a novel by an author who weaves a good yarn and that's the way it was treated by Tony Robinson. Would anyone watch a serious programme about freemasonary - a small number I suspect. I watch TV for entertainment, and that is what I got.

Posted by l jack on 28/12/2009 10:44:20

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I don't know how much was the budget for this program ,but it was utterly dissapointing with the whole debugging thing, and I have seen some stuff on you tube which is much more impressive and could actually be a really good viewing . With all due respect to Mr.Robinson previous work some of which I actually like ,this waste of time program as i should call it? Did anyone even think or put any thought together to film this ? Excuse me Mr. Robinson are you a mason your self ? Or is it just me ? I think you should stick with the Time Team Tony ,its sort of your area of expertise . 55%

Posted by 55% on 28/12/2009 00:16:02

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if channel 4 think people buy into all this they are wrong if there really is a big secret like this do they really think that the masons would admit to it.

Posted by siroy on 27/12/2009 22:45:52

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tony tony tony! ur worst performance yet ! down with the n.w.o and the reptiles! and worship the sun!.

Posted by ianlondon on 27/12/2009 18:00:52

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Those of us who study these things are well aware of the shortcomings in Dan Brown's books, but they are not intended to be a serious study. Regrettably this programme amounts to a standard attempt to debunk the ideas and ancient knowledge presented with no understanding of them whatsoever. It makes no attempt to explore or explain the understandings that lie behind this work, it simply cries out "rubbish, do not think for yourself" whereas in this new age of enlightenment more and more people are discovering the truths in their own being through the teachings that lie behind this work.

Posted by Michael Slaughter on 27/12/2009 11:16:46

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Watched this program, thought it was biased to try to show freemasions as inert innocent bunch of libarians with some quirky rituals. program seemed to be put together to debunk any of the symbolism in todays society relating to masions as coincidence and in same crazy folder as ufo's, elves and paranormal. Its typical of anything on tv to miss all the meat of a subject and pick a few parts that can be shown to be normal occurances etc to dumb down any subject like this. the way tony puts this across is that the book is pure drivvel. Yet (so typically) in todays advertising the program was advertised like it was going to take an open look at all sorts of things on this subject, Not just set up to debunk any truths from a book and make the author out to look like some crack pot. I have not read the lost symbol myself. now not sure i will. most adverts for tv and movie are totally misleading like any movie trailer will be edited together which makes the film seem like something its not. the best part of the movie will be the trailer! A cosmetics comany cannot advertise its product to have benefits over and above what the product has been tested to acheive. "may help to reduce the signs of aging" is about as much as they can say for any anti aging cream stuff. Yet for a movie "its like nothing you've ever seen before ...amazing ..fantastic..gripping..." with a string of bogus ratings from top editorials. my point i guess im arriving at is that its all media conrolled and we are being fed a lie of sorts. the tv documentry is just edited to what direction the public should be steered in, and does not actually seek to get to the bottom of the matter being investigated. When will we start to see disclaimers on the bottom of program trailers "This program may not actually address the subject in the way this advert suggests ...bla bla bla" such like a bottle of face cream will state "results may vary...etc." ...just am fed up with documentry after documentary being pure drivel. might as well spend an hour on youtube.

Posted by Kim on 27/12/2009 00:00:20

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This was a simple act of disinformation fronted by the an affable bloke everyone loves. Given the power of the masonic infulence in this country its not hard to see through the aims of this programm. However, such a one sided PR excersise looks amature at best. The history of the masonic influence on world history is undeniable. the allogery and Symbolism through which masonery is expressed means that it is easily missed by the untrained or unsusspecting viewer. 90% of masons have no idea about the meaning of the ceromonies or the religious aspects of the order, let alone who the order is set up to worship. None the less, the classic defininition of masonery is a system of morality, veiled in secrecy, and illustrated by symbols and allagory. So if you want to know what the order is about, research the history symbols. Don't let anyone, including lovable Tony decide what you are going to think. Do the research your self and decide what you will believe after your own research on the history of masonic symbols in washington... its no secret that there are powerful and wealthy members at top of this orgainisation, so getting a programme made and aired in an "friendly educational" manner, would not be hard at all. They would not want the people to start thinking too much about the masons and their influence on world power. Please do your research and make up you own mind.. not just accepting what Tony says

Posted by Adam Jotley on 26/12/2009 23:03:17

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I've just watched this and I dont agree with tony. I think maybe he is a mason and is trying to help keep The REAL lost symbols Hidden and make it seem not real.. What you have to remember about this book is that its still just a book and he has tried to make it to draw all sorts of people.. I've seen Alot better facts on this subject from alot of other places.

Posted by Scots on 26/12/2009 22:02:24

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I am really intrested in DECODED: DAN BROWN'S LOST SYMBOL and have had many talks with friends based on this subject. unfortunatly I am going to miss tomorows show. Channel 4 should allow people to see documentrys hours/or days before hand. The subject of the free maysons or the inlightend ones is a very misterys one also if what has been told about them is true then its sad that such powerful men try to control the world. They will never own our dreams and that is what makes success storys. i dont think that the show will expose anything new but only confuse poeple. No matter how much people expose the story of free maysons i dont think the stroy will bring any reall truth. although more people are exposed to the diffrent things that are going on in the world.

Posted by domino on 25/12/2009 23:19:47

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there is no way to set up a email reminder bout this show?

Posted by luis on 25/12/2009 16:28:01

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