Lehman Brothers: The Bank That Bust The World

The Bank That Busted 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 spiralled towards insolvency.

The documentary traces Lehman Brothers’ 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.