Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers blog

“What is the most enthralling secret society of all time and why?”

– Robert De Niro

Ever had the feeling that secret forces are at work? Ever wondered if there are powers in action in the murky shadows? Of course 99% of the time you’re probably imagining it but what about the remaining 1%? Maybe there are clandestine, unaccountable sects that are plotting and scheming around us all.

Occasionally throughout history some of these sects, so powerful they can no longer hide, have emerged into the light and when they do it’s fascinating. Even Robert De Niro is curious, which is why he’s asked on Answers: what is the most enthralling secret society of all time and why?

The question makes the mind boggle. Is the answer the fraternal organisation the Masons? Certainly their Grand Lodges are imposing and impressive buildings.

We live in a world where money talks, so what about the Bilderberg Group? It’s a annual conference of 130 people who work in business, academia, media, or politics – except you can’t buy tickets, the meeting minutes are off the record and everyone who attends is immensely influential.

And finally there’s the Skull and Bones, a Yale university-based society. Members include US Presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush. Members meet in a ‘tomb,’ use code names and seldom speak about the society in public.

The society forms part of Robert De Niro’s new film The Good Shepherd, where Edward Wilson (played by Matt Damon), is asked to join the Skull and Bones. Through the society he meets his future wife Clover (played by Angelina Jolie) and makes contacts in the CIA. It’s an organisation, for better or worse, he goes on to be deeply involved with. The film, directed by De Niro himself, is released in the UK on February 23rd. In the mean time why not share your most enthralling secret society of all time on Answers.

– Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers team