Watch The Spider's Web - Britain's Second Empire

The Spider's Web - Britain's Second Empire is a thought-provoking documentary film that examines the hidden network of financial power and corruption that has allowed the UK establishment to maintain a stranglehold on global wealth and resources. Directed by Michael Oswald and narrated by Andrew Piper, the film is based on the book The Spider's Web: Britain's Second Empire by Nicholas Shaxson. It charts the history of the City of London and its development over the past century as a hub of offshore tax havens, financial secrecy and institutionalized fraud.

The film argues that this web of corruption has been facilitated with the help of politicians, big business and the mainstream media who have deliberately concealed the scale of tax avoidance, money laundering and global financial crime that is rife within the UK economy.

Drawing on interviews with leading economists, journalists, academics and activists, The Spider's Web - Britain's Second Empire is a compelling and timely exploration of the ethical and economic implications of unchecked financial power and the global impact of Britain's secret empire.

The film begins by examining the origins of the City of London, tracing the development of its financial institutions and the ruthless exploitation of resources in the former British colonies. It shows how offshore tax havens and banking secrecy were established as a means of maintaining this empire, and how this has created a structure of institutionalized corruption at the heart of the global economy.

One of the key themes of the film is how the City of London has managed to remain at the forefront of global finance by operating as a tax haven for the wealthy elite. The documentary highlights how these tax havens have facilitated the transfer of trillions of dollars in assets out of reach of tax authorities, perpetuating inequality and undermining the capacity of democracies to act in the public interest.

The film also examines the role of the mainstream media in perpetuating the myths of neoliberal capitalism and the market fundamentalism that has allowed the City of London to continue to operate with impunity. It shows how the media has failed to report on the scale of tax avoidance and financial corruption, thereby normalizing these practices and perpetuating a culture of impunity.

The accusations in the film are backed up by historical evidence and interviews with experts in the field. Interviews with academics, journalists, businessmen, and politicians all paint a picture of a system that is corrupt and damaging to the global community.

The Spider's Web - Britain's Second Empire is not afraid to delve into complex economic and legal territory in order to make its case. It provides a detailed and rigorous analysis of how the City of London operates and the ways in which it has been able to avoid regulation and accountability.

Overall, The Spider's Web - Britain's Second Empire is a fascinating and vital documentary that shines a light on the hidden structures of global power and inequality. It is a call to action for citizens, politicians and media professionals to confront this system of institutionalized corruption and strive towards greater transparency, accountability and fairness in the global economy.

The Spider's Web - Britain's Second Empire is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.