Hottoceame The Age of Commercialism

FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

vincentlynch-moonoi I'm not particularly strong on this film, even though I have always admired Tyrone Power. And, this was Power's first significant film role...and although he is clearly the centerpiece of the film, he gets 4th billing beneath Freddie Bartholomew (child actor), Madeleine Carroll, and Guy Standing. Power is so young here (just 22) that you really might not recognize him. He does a fine job acting here.The most interesting part of the movie (to my surprise) may well be the opening section, where Freddie Bartholomew is the friend of the boy who will become Lord Nelson. Bartholomew will grow to become Tyrone Power's character -- influential in Lloyds Of London.Once Tyrone Power takes center stage, however, the film seems to struggle to decide what it's really about. There's a really dumb segment where Power is in France disguised as a priest (we're not told why), and saves fellow Brit Madeleine Carroll from being arrested by Napoleon's military as a spy by hiding with her in a huge barrel...and somehow that ends them up in a small boat, manned (no pun intended...she changes clothes behind the barrel into men's clothing...and together they pilot the boat across the English Channel through a storm...only for her to disappear. At least we learn why she disappears...she is married to, of all people, a very young and unpleasant George Sanders. That whole segment was rather unbelievable and could have been handled with other logic to make it realistic.We then move on to Powers' stand against Lloyds, who is attempting to use a large part of Lord Nelson's fleet to protect ships, rather than fight the French. Powers prevents that from happening, but Nelson dies...while victorious.I don't know...it's just a bit much to believe.The acting is reasonably good, particularly Guy Standing as Power's mentor. An excellent role.I found this film disappointing, but watchable. It won't find a spot on my DVD shelf!

jwiit In response to ADAMSHL's comment on LLoyd's insuring slave ships-In one scene when the insurers were in deep trouble, Blake was asked if he would insure a slave ship and he curtly said no! to emphasize the director's view of that practice.It is a pleasant change to watch a movie that flows through the acting and dialog rather than sound effects and extreme graphics. I could even understand all the actors voices in spite of 60 yr old audio technology. Most present day English movies have horrible sound and many words are lost because of the actors elocution.The main value of this movie is not a history lesson in politics but one in the lives of those who lived in that period and their environment, clothing, etc.

blanche-2 Tyrone Power was only 22 with a few films and Broadway credits when he was given his first major role in "Lloyds of London." This film was originally assigned to Don Ameche, but Henry King insisted on testing Power and, on viewing the test, told Zanuck he wanted the young man for the role. "In two years," King told Zanuck, "he will be one of the biggest stars ever." Good instincts. Power plays Jonathan Blake, a fictional character, whose childhood friendship with Horatio Nelson helps Nelson through the Napoleonic war. Blake becomes one of the syndicate owners at Lloyd's of London and, against every other syndicate, continues insuring the damaged British fleet so that Nelson has all the power necessary to defeat the French.The radiant Madeline Carroll is Power's love interest and George Sanders is her cad husband. Sanders worked with Power on many films, including the one Power was making when he died 22 years later. Virginia Field is Polly, a young waitress in love with Jonathan, but it's unrequited.The acting is top-notch, including beautiful performances from Freddie Bartholomew and Douglas Nelson as the young Blake and Nelson. Sir Guy Standing is marvelous as Power's mentor. Power is gorgeous, with his unlined face (even with a streak of gray hair as he ages -"Zanuck would never let me age in any film," he once said) and the world's longest eyelashes, and his acting is excellent. He carries the bulk of the film beautifully, conveying a strong presence, though he merely suggests an English accent. Darryl F. Zanuck was his biggest fan and for good reason, as the actor would bring in hit after hit during his long tenure at Twentieth Century Fox.This is a great period piece, interesting as well as touching. Highly recommended.

Ron Oliver A bright young lad goes to work at LLOYD'S OF London, the famous insurance house. He grows up to become a power in the institution, with much adventure & financial intrigue along the way, but love continues to elude him...This lavish film is great fun to watch for two primary reasons: some very good acting & the history of Lloyd's, preeminent in its field, which it details. 20th Century Fox obviously spent a pretty penny on the production values, and it shows.Freddie Bartholomew has top billing and effortlessly steals the first half hour of the film. When his character grows up, Master Bartholomew is sorely missed. He turns into Tyrone Power, who is billed fourth. This was the film that made Power a star, and he's quite effective in the role, if you overlook the American accent.An excellent supporting cast lends a hand: wonderful old Sir Guy Standing as Power's mentor at Lloyd's - this powerful actor would soon have his life cut short by a rattlesnake bite; Una O'Connor as Bartholomew's harridan aunt; Montagu Love as a duplicitous pirate; obese Robert Greig as the jocular First Lord of the Admiralty; E. E. Clive as a dyspeptic magistrate; oily George Sanders as a noble cad; and marvelous old Sir C. Aubrey Smith as a flirtatious peer.The romantic subplot is ludicrous: Power moons over beautiful, married Madeleine Carroll for 20 years, while pert barmaid Virginia Field pines for him; none of them so much as gain a wrinkle or an extra ounce during this time.The film earns high marks in its generally faithful depiction of the history both of Lloyd's, and of Horatio Nelson.