The House of Rothschild (1934)

100% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(111 ratings)

George Arliss plays Nathan Rothschild, the head of a family of celebrated 19th century Jewish bankers. Despite the anti-semitic efforts of a powerful politico (Boris Karloff), Rothschild moves in the best European social circles. He is ultimately knighted for his services to the English crown, which… More George Arliss plays Nathan Rothschild, the head of a family of celebrated 19th century Jewish bankers. Despite the anti-semitic efforts of a powerful politico (Boris Karloff), Rothschild moves in the best European social circles. He is ultimately knighted for his services to the English crown, which include the financing of the Duke of Wellington's battle against Napoleon at Waterloo. This being a Hollywood picture, the political and financial intrigues have to be offset by romance--in this case the love affair between Rothschild's daughter (Loretta Young) and a handsome military officer (Robert Young). The final scene was photographed in the newly perfected three-strip Technicolor process, though for many years the TV distributors either removed this sequence or reprinted it in black and white. Designed in part as an attack against the burgeoning anti-semitism movement in Hitler's Germany, House of Rothschild was ironically exploited by Nazi functionary Joseph Goebbels, who redubbed and re-edited the film to serve as anti-Jewish propaganda! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Alfred L. Werker
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2000 Wide

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
A fine picture on all counts in the acting, writing, and directing.
Mordaunt Hall, New York Times
Not only does Mr. Arliss's work here excel that which he has done in any other picture, but most of the other rôles are acted expertly.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An outstanding historical account of the Rothschild financial dynasty during the Napoleonic wars.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Zanuck's lavish production (finale is in three-strip Technicolor) of the Jewish financial empire is largely fictionalized but is more enjoyable due to the good cast of actors, including George Arliss in two roles.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Tells the story of the rise of the Rothschild financial empire.
Tom Milne, Time Out
A lavish Selznick biopic.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
More successful are the domestic scenes between Nathan and his wife Hannah ... which the film needs if he's going to be a likable character instead of just an admirable one.

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Cast

            George Arliss as Mayer Rothschild

            Boris Karloff as Count Ledrantz

            Loretta Young as Julie Rothschild

            Robert Young as Captain Fitzroy

            C. Aubrey Smith as Duke of Wellington

            Reginald Owen as Herries

            Helen Westley as Gudula Rothschild

            Florence Arliss as Hannah Rothschild

            Alan Mowbray as Metternich

            Holmes Herbert as Rowerth

            Paul Harvey as Solomon Rothschild

            Ivan Simpson as Amschel Rothschild

            Noel Madison as Carl Rothschild

            Murray Kinnell as James Rothschild

            Georges Renavent as Talleyrand

            Oscar Apfel as Prussian Officer

            Lumsden Hare as Prince Regent

            Arthur Bryon as Baring

            A.S. Byron as Baring

            Gilbert Emery as Prime Minister

            Ethel Griffies as Woman Guest in Hall

            Cullen Johnson
            
            Lee Kohlmar as Doctor

            Wilfred Lucas as Page

            Leo McCabe as Secretary

            Leonard Mudie as Tax Collector in Prussia

            Reginald Sheffield as Stock Trader

            Charles E. Evans as Nesserolde

            Ted Offenbecker
            
            Gerald Pierce
            
See full cast

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