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United States
5.2 1h 30m

Disraeli

"Disraeli – Lover and Leader!"

Prime Minister of Great Britain Benjamin Disraeli outwits the subterfuge of the Russians and chicanery at home in order to secure the purchase of the Suez Canal.

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Top Cast

  • George Arliss

    George Arliss

    Benjamin Disraeli

  • Doris Lloyd

    Doris Lloyd

    Mrs. Agatha Travers

  • David Torrence

    David Torrence

    Lord Michael Probert

  • Joan Bennett

    Joan Bennett

    Lady Clarissa Pevensey

  • Florence Arliss

    Florence Arliss

    Lady Mary Beaconsfield

  • Anthony Bushell

    Anthony Bushell

    Lord Charles Deeford

  • Michael Visaroff

    Michael Visaroff

    Count Borsinov

  • Ivan F. Simpson

    Ivan F. Simpson

    Sir Hugh Myers

  • Gwendolyn Logan

    Gwendolyn Logan

    Duchess of Glastonbury

Overview

Prime Minister of Great Britain Benjamin Disraeli outwits the subterfuge of the Russians and chicanery at home in order to secure the purchase of the Suez Canal.

Rating

5.2 / 10
29 Reviews
0 Popular

1 Reviews

  • CinemaSerf
    CinemaSerf
    6 Jul 18, 2025

    Rather than focus on the relationship between Disraeli and Queen Victoria, this one pays more attention to his cunning wheeze to thwart Russian ambitions for both India and the Suez Canal. Not only must he (George Arliss) combat the Czarist plotting but he has to face a fair degree of antisemitism as those lined up for Gladstone, including the powerful Governor of the Bank of England, refuse to support his plan to find the £5 millions needed to acquire the shares in that vital waterway. Unsure whom he can trust amongst those ostensibly closest to him, he relies more heavily on his wife Mary (Florence Arliss) but he is going to have to keep his wits about him, if he is to succeed. Things come to an head when his banking ally “Myers” (Ivan F. Simpson) finds himself teetering on the edge of bankruptcy after a flagrant act of sabotage risks the stability of the empire - and just as Disraeli is about to confirm that the queen is to be Empress of India! Time is running out and the enemies are baying. The dominant Arliss is in his element here delivering a gently theatrical style of presentation of the shrewd British Prime Minister that, though a little dry at times, is still quite powerful and even a little mischievous. The remainder of the cast don’t really have very much to do and some of their very wordy dialogue drags the pace down - especially the downright hammy efforts of Anthony Bushell as his aide. It is a bit static and the staging is all very basic until the royal reception at the end, but at least it tries to move around and it doesn’t quite have that look of so many early talkies where they are just looking for the microphone spots on the floor. It flows quite well too, and tells a little of a culture where winning might be more important than loyalty - to a man or a country.

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