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The Spider's Web: Britain's Second Empire

  • TV Movie
  • 2017
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
The Spider's Web: Britain's Second Empire (2017)
Documentary

How Britain transformed from an imperial power to a financial power.How Britain transformed from an imperial power to a financial power.How Britain transformed from an imperial power to a financial power.

  • Director
    • Michael Oswald
  • Writer
    • Michael Oswald
  • Stars
    • Joel Benjamin
    • Peter Cain
    • John Christensen
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Oswald
    • Writer
      • Michael Oswald
    • Stars
      • Joel Benjamin
      • Peter Cain
      • John Christensen
    • 8User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast15

    Edit
    Joel Benjamin
    • Self
    Peter Cain
    • Self
    John Christensen
    • Self
    Alex Cobham
    • Self
    Paul Gilbert
    • Self
    Michael Hudson
    • Self
    Eva Joly
    • Self
    Paula Edda Klein
    • Narrator (german)
    Ronen Palan
    • Self
    Andrew Piper
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    Nicholas Shaxson
    • Self
    Prem Sikka
    • Self
    Susan Steed
    • Self
    Stuart Syvret
    • Self
    Attiya Waris
    • Self
    • Director
      • Michael Oswald
    • Writer
      • Michael Oswald
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    7.71K
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    Featured reviews

    5arpi-2

    Serious problem but bad narrative.

    I don't deny that the the problem of tax-heavens is serious.

    I don't deny that hilarious amounts of income evade taxation.

    I don't deny the role of City od London.

    However the document is poor:
    • instead of explaining the schemes it provides repeated statements
    • instead of providing diagrams it shows same visuals from the streets
    • instead proposing solutions it just moans how bad it is.


    Summary: Boring, without intellectual depth, sighted from single perspective. Important subject that was just wasted.

    Brings more damage to the cause it was supposed to aid.

    I expected it to be eye-opener, buy just lost an hour.
    7yavoyavo

    Interesting but superficial look into the shadow financial system

    There is a shadow financial system that spans the globe, sure, everyone knows this at some level, its why we joke about off shore accounts, but why is the question they don't want to answer because the perspective is reflexively left wing. The awful truth is this is what allows us to indulge in the fiction of democracy as the flaw is once those who don't pay net taxes decide to tax those who do, it becomes theft and the productive either seek to escape or allowances are made to keep them as they hold up the system. This is why the narrative is a distortion, even in the UK, despite the claims of evasion, the rich still pay the vast majority of all taxes. The politicians and the elite juggle the laffer curve with the demands of the populous and the shadow financial network enables the lie.
    10ekamanoieau

    Something We Should All See

    I was astounded by this documentary, presenting beyond a shadow of a doubt the rampant theft being perpetrated by the economic and political establishment of the UK.

    The narration, production, and music were all on point but above all this is a documentary of content, and if you wonder why so much is wrong with the world, this will provide you with a good portion of the answer.
    10harjinder_singh_khalsa

    Everyone needs to watch

    Why democracy is a sham. Laws to defraud the masses & keep the elite, elite.

    If you know enough about world politics & International relations, a lot that you fear about inequity & injustice will become clearer after viewing this documentary.
    10tabone

    A Conspiracy to Defraud the Country

    I've just watched this documentary on the Freeview channel 'Together'. It's a fascinating, compelling and well-made film about how the City of London increased its influence through the use of tax havens after the break up of the British Empire.

    The documentary is extremely informative and eye-opening, but be warned, it can also leave you feeling angry and disillusioned about how successive governments, politicians, and the Establishment have combined to legally defraud the tax payer.

    Sadly, nothing seems to change, probably because the same people who could actually do something are the very people who are enriching themselves through these tax havens. I really enjoyed this well-made film and I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in current affairs.

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • June 12, 2022 (Norway)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo

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