The Rothschilds 1940

Drama

Runtime

97 mins

Language

German

Directed by

Erich Waschneck

Made by

UFA

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The Rothschilds Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Rothschilds (1940). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Set against the backroom gravity of early 19th-century politics and finance, this historical drama traces how a single family reshapes European power through money, strategy, and a sharp eye for opportunity. In Frankfurt, the tense line between loyalty and survival is tested when William I, Elector of Hesse, refuses to join Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine in 1806, placing him directly under the emperor’s scrutiny. To keep the Elector’s bonds—worth £600,000—safe, the Elector turns to his agent Mayer Amschel Rothschild Mayer Amschel Rothschild, sending a clear signal that money can outlive politics when guided by capable hands.

From that moment, the Rothschild enterprise broadens its reach. Rothschild’s ambitious sons play key roles in extending the family’s reach: Nathan Mayer Rothschild in London and James Rothschild in Paris help transform the initial windfall into a continental network. The brothers leverage the funds to back Wellington’s campaign in the Peninsular War against Napoleon, negotiating terms that favor the family as their influence growsunder the shadow of shifting alliances and a volatile market.

A dramatic pivot comes in 1815, when Nathan orchestrates a remarkable ploy involving information about Napoleon’s fate at Waterloo. By fueling a rumor that Napoleon had won, London stock prices plunge, only to rebound as the truth surfaces. This bold move accelerates the Rothschilds’ financial ascent, enabling them to accumulate a staggering fortune of £11 million over roughly a decade, built on the Elector’s capital and a far-flung web of family-driven financial deals across Europe.

As the money flows, the family rounds out its strategic design: returning the original capital to the Elector, plus only a modest interest, while the bulk of profits stays within the Rothschild coffers. The film outlines a future vision—an Europe-wide network of family-led financial institutions that could redefine the continent’s economic order. Alongside the financial maneuvering, the narrative intersects with the broader political theater, nodding to figures like König Ludwig XVIII and illustrating how royal and imperial ambitions intertwine with market power.

The closing frame delivers a piercing note about the price of power: as the film is released, the last Rothschild has departed continental Europe as a refugee, and the next target on the horizon is England’s plutocracy, signaling a new phase in the family’s global influence. In this telling, money meets diplomacy, and a single dynasty reshapes the map of power for generations to come.

The Rothschilds Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Rothschilds (1940) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

1806: Bond transfer to safety in England

In Frankfurt, William I, Elector of Hesse, requests Mayer Amschel Rothschild to convey bonds worth £600,000 from Britain to subsidy his army's safety in England. The request marks the moment the Elector's funds come under Rothschild protection. The Rothschilds become the custodians of the money as Napoleonic pressure looms over the German states.

1806 Frankfurt, Hesse

Rothschilds take charge of the funds with their sons' help

Rothschild, with his sons Nathan in London and James in Paris, uses the money for his own ends rather than simply safeguarding it. The family expands its control across major European markets. The plan shifts from a protective transfer to strategic financial maneuvering.

1806-1807 Frankfurt; London; Paris

Financing Wellington's army in Spain

The Rothschilds deploy the funds to finance Wellington's army in the Peninsular War against Napoleon. They offer loans on advantageous terms to support the British campaign. This marks the start of their public, profitable involvement in European warfare finance.

1807-1814 London

1815 Waterloo rumor spreads

In 1815, Nathan Rothschild spreads the rumour that Napoleon has won the Battle of Waterloo. The London stock market plunges on the panic and anticipation. The move demonstrates the Rothschilds' ability to influence markets.

1815 London

Bottom buying as prices crash and rebound

Rothschilds seize the opportunity, buying a large quantity of equities at the bottom of the market. Prices then rise as the truth about the battle emerges, translating into substantial profits. The episode cements their reputation for market-savvy dealings.

1815-1816 London

Fortune grows to £11 million

Within a decade, the Rothschilds accumulate a fortune of around £11 million, largely by leveraging the Elector's money. The scale of wealth marks a dramatic ascent from their humble beginnings. The film emphasizes the widening influence of the family across European finance.

by 1816 London/Europe

Return of capital to the Elector

Nathan returns the original capital to the Elector, paying only a small amount of interest. The bulk of profits stays with the Rothschilds, enabling further expansion. This move consolidates the family's financial power while maintaining the Elector's trust.

late 1810s Frankfurt

Plans for a Europe-wide family banking network

With profits in hand, the Rothschilds plan to formalize a Europe-wide network of family-led financial institutions. The strategy envisions cross-border operations spanning London, Paris, and Frankfurt. The goal is to coordinate finances across key markets and bolster their influence.

late 1810s Europe (London, Paris, Frankfurt)

Network expansion across major financial hubs

The Rothschilds' network begins to coordinate activities across the great European markets, shaping lending, investment, and market intelligence. The film hints at a growing, centralized family-led empire within the financial world. Their influence extends beyond a single city to a continental footprint.

1817-1820 London; Paris; Frankfurt

End-of-narrative reveal: a refugee Rothschild

The film closes with the declaration that the last Rothschild has left continental Europe as a refugee. The exodus underscores the precariousness of elites amid political upheaval. The line also foreshadows ongoing tensions involving England's plutocracy.

end of film Continental Europe

Elector's money catalyzes warfare-era finance

The initial £600,000 in bonds becomes a catalyst for a new model of finance that underpins European warfare support. The Elector's money enables unprecedented access to capital for military campaigns. The Rothschilds' role grows from protection to powerful financial operator.

1806-1807 Frankfurt

James in Paris, Nathan in London: cross-border operation

The two principal Rothschild brothers operate in Paris and London, forming a transnational force in European finance. Their cross-border activities allow rapid mobilization of capital across markets. The arrangement cements a family-based banking empire.

early 1800s London and Paris

The Rothschilds Characters

Explore all characters from The Rothschilds (1940). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Mayer Amschel Rothschild - Erich Ponto

The family patriarch who seizes the Elector's bonds and seeds a pan-European network. He is calculating, patient, and adept at turning political risk into financial advantage. His role anchors the family's rise from a local Frankfurt house to a continental powerhouse.

💼 Finance 🧠 Strategist 🕰️ 19th Century

Nathan Mayer Rothschild - Carl Kuhlmann

The ambitious elder son who drives the continental expansion from London. He orchestrates major financial moves and leverages information to outmaneuver rivals. His actions push the family toward unprecedented profits and influence.

💰 Money 📈 Market-savvy 🌍 Global Network

James Rothschild - Albert Lippert

A key figure operating in Paris who helps channel funds and coordinate cross-border strategies. He embodies the cosmopolitan reach of the Rothschilds and their aptitude for leveraging political events for financial gain.

💼 Finance 🗼 Paris 🧭 Networker

Duke of Wellington - Waldemar Leitgeb

The military mastermind whose campaigns and needs for funding intersect with the Rothschilds' financial ventures. His success in the Peninsular War is paralleled by the strategic investments made by the family.

🗺️ Military 🛡️ Alliance 🏛️ History

Fouché - Bernhard Minetti

A pivotal political operator whose machinations intersect with the Rothschilds' interests. His presence underscores the interplay between statecraft and finance in shaping European events.

🏛️ Politics 🗡️ Intrigue

König Ludwig XVIII. - Hans Leibelt

The Bourbon monarch of the period, whose reign and political stance form part of the backdrop against which the Rothschilds expand their influence. His actions and position influence the course of European power struggles.

👑 Monarchy 🕰️ Napoleonic Era

The Rothschilds Settings

Learn where and when The Rothschilds (1940) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1806–1815

The story unfolds during the Napoleonic Wars, a period of upheaval across Europe as empires redraw borders and puissances shift. The Rothschilds exploit this instability to move capital and build a cross-border financial empire. The era culminates with the 1815 Waterloo aftermath and the transformation of European finance.

Location

Frankfurt, London, Paris, Spain

Frankfurt serves as the political and financial starting point where Mayer Amschel Rothschild handles the Elector's bonds. London and Paris become crucial hubs as the family expands across Europe to manage money and influence. Spain is referenced through Wellington's campaigns, illustrating the continent-wide reach of their financial network.

🏛️ Frankfurt 🌍 Europe 🕰️ Napoleonic era

The Rothschilds Themes

Discover the main themes in The Rothschilds (1940). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💰

Wealth & Power

Wealth becomes a primary instrument of power, enabling the Rothschilds to finance armies, influence markets, and shape political outcomes. The film portrays money as a tool that rivals and even eclipses military might. Through clever leveraging of bonds and information, a family empire grows across Europe.

🎭

Deception

Deception drives key plot turns, culminating in the infamous Waterloo rumor that crashes London stock prices. The narrative shows how information and misdirection can manipulate markets and policies. The family uses strategic deception to expand influence while avoiding direct confrontation.

👨‍👩‍👧

Family Empire

The Rothschilds build a transnational network centered on family ties and shared interests. Each brother operates in a different European capital, coordinating to maximize profits and consolidate control. The film frames the family as architects of a modern financial empire.

🛫

Displacement & Legacy

As European power shifts, the film notes the diaspora of the old continental elite and the rise of a new plutocracy rooted in finance. The narrative closes with the claim that the last Rothschild leaves continental Europe, signaling a lasting migration of wealth and influence.

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The Rothschilds Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Rothschilds (1940). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

Set against the backroom gravity of early 19th-century politics and finance, this historical drama traces the rise of a dynasty during the tumultuous Napoleonic era. The film paints a portrait of a Europe in flux, where the tense line between loyalty and survival is constantly tested against the backdrop of war and empire. It is a world where traditional power structures are fracturing, creating a vacuum that money and strategy might fill, provided those involved possess the wit to navigate such treacherous waters.

The narrative begins in Frankfurt, where Mayer Amschel Rothschild, a Jewish agent for the monarchy, finds himself at a pivotal crossroads. When William I, Elector of Hesse, refuses to bend to Napoleon’s will, he places his financial fate—and a significant fortune—into Mayer’s hands for safekeeping. This act of trust serves as the foundation for a much larger design, signaling that in the right hands, money can outlive politics. Mayer and his sons stand ready to transform this responsibility into a continental vision, moving beyond the constraints of their humble beginnings.

With Nathan Mayer Rothschild stationed in London and James Rothschild in Paris, the brothers set out to weave a web of influence that spans borders. The film explores the dynamic between family loyalty and business ambition as they operate under the shadow of shifting alliances and a volatile market. As they maneuver through a landscape defined by figures like König Ludwig XVIII, the Rothschilds attempt to forge a new kind of power, challenging the established order where diplomacy meets the relentless pursuit of interest.

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