Lehman Brothers: The Bank That Bust The World

Lehman Brothers: The Bank That Bust The World investigates the collapse of one of Wall Street’s most prominent investment banks. It chronicles the events leading up to Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy in September 2008, which precipitated the global financial crisis.

The film features interviews with key figures involved in the crisis, including former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Alastair Darling, and US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner. These high-profile participants offer insider perspectives on the tense negotiations that took place in New York and London as Lehman Brothers spiraled towards insolvency.

The documentary traces Lehman’s history, from its rise as a powerhouse on Wall Street to its eventual downfall. It details the bank’s aggressive expansion into the subprime mortgage market and its increasing reliance on leverage, which left it vulnerable when the housing bubble burst. The film also explores the wider context of the financial crisis, including the role of deregulation and the complex financial instruments that contributed to systemic risk.

Central to the narrative are the dramatic events of the weekend before Lehman’s collapse, as regulators and bank executives scrambled to find a buyer or orchestrate a rescue. The documentary reveals the high-stakes decision-making process and the ultimate choice to let Lehman fail, a moment that sent shockwaves through the global financial system.

By presenting a detailed timeline of Lehman’s demise and its aftermath, the film illustrates the interconnectedness of the global financial system and the far-reaching consequences of the bank’s failure. It serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of unchecked financial innovation and the potential for catastrophic systemic failure in the banking sector.