Rogue Trader [DVD] [1999]

Rogue Trader [DVD] [1999]

Customer Reviews

True Story, well paced drama
This film tells the true story of Nick Leeson, the floor trader on Simex Singaopre, who singly handedly broke Barings Bank, in the mid '90's. Of how one mans ambition was overcome by pressures, and in turn, reckless gambling.

An incredible aspect of this case was to me, how Leeson covered up for so long, and hoodwinked so many, who it seemed, according to the film, were so wrapped up in their own company rhetoric they simply wanted to believe in Leeson. The regional manager in Singapore had never even heard of the name of the brokerage house Leeson used to "invent" a trade to cover the missing and ever increasing deficit being incured in the "88888" account, a supposed customer account, but in reality, an back office error account.

The pace of the story is very well done here. My only gripe is, for a film with excellent supporting cast, why did they take so little care over the choice of the leading players? McGreggor is convincing as Leeson only when the sickly scenes with his wife are not on screen, the hoplessly miscast Lisa.

Some may find the numerous and fast financial terms not easy to follow. But a fascinating story, with great use of background music.

Corporate Complacency
As an entertaining film this one is as good as any; whether it is re-watchable is doubtful but nonetheless it is good entertainment. Ewan McGregor does the film justice but it was difficult to believe in Anna Friel's part as Lisa. It is, of course, a docudrama in style.

There is more than one theme weaving its way through this story the main one being the complacency of institutional management closely followed by incompetence of those whose responsibility is to ensure the efficiency of the organisation's operations so it is an expose of the fissures of monolithic management structures. It is the same tale as the story of the 'Million Dollar Bubble' that occurred in the US a few years ago.

The culpability for this disaster and its criminal aspect lay with Leeson's immediate supervisor and the prevailing corporate cultural attitudes and certainly not with Leeson who was used as the 'sacrificial lamb' to placate our sense of justice.

In addition to being a good story it is also a model of human vulnerabilities and in this respect it is well deserving of 5*.

I enjoyed watching the film and recommend it as worthy entertainment and may it be said, educational too.

Rogue Trader [DVD] [1999] Directed by James Dearden Price: £3.93 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Delivery. Details Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk 40 new or used available from £1.68 Average customer review:

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