George Arliss, portrays the head of the German-Jewish money lending family, the Rothschild. The senior Rochschild creates a plan for his five sons to travel to the capitals of Europe to extend the family power. This movie depicts how the Rothschild banks secretly lent money to England, Austria, and Prussia to help finance the defeat Napoleon. In this movie, once Napoleon is defeated by England and Prussia and sent off to Elba, Boris Karloff, the Prussian ambassador to England, refuses to allow the Rothschilds further influence. The Rothschilds become outraged, and use their banking and financial powers to try and destroy Europe's finances and the bond market. Boris Karloff seeks revenge by initiating a bloody pogrom against the Jews. Napoleon then returns from exile.
This 1934 Zanuck film is intended to portray the Rothschild's history in a favorable light. In that, it suceeds. However,it is also worth noting that, Joseph Goebbels included portions of this film in his 1940 propaganda film "The Eternal Jew" for his own propaganda needs.
This 1934 Zanuck film is intended to portray the Rothschild's history in a favorable light. In that, it suceeds. However,it is also worth noting that, Joseph Goebbels included portions of this film in his 1940 propaganda film "The Eternal Jew" for his own propaganda needs.