Rogue Trader (1999)

The story of Nick Leeson (Ewan McGregor), an ambitious investment broker who singlehandedly bankrupted one of the oldest and most important banks in Britain.

Director:

James Dearden

Writers:

James Dearden, Nick Leeson (autobiography)

Stars:

Ewan McGregor, Anna Friel, Cristian Solimeno

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cristian Solimeno	...	Steve (as Christian Solimeno)
Ewan McGregor	...	Nick Leeson
Lorna Pegler	...	Girlfriend in Pub
David Fahm	...	Boyfriend in Pub
Tim McInnerny	...	Tony Hawes
Cecil Chang	...	Old Custodian
Michelle Lee	...	Susi (as Sarah Liew)
Anna Friel	...	Lisa Leeson
Michael Garner	...	Alec Sims
Sharon Duce	...	Patsy Sims
Karen Lim	...	Singapore Letting Agent
Pip Torrens	...	Simon Jones
Tom Wu	...	George Seow
Daniel York	...	Henry Tan
Irene Ng	...	Bonnie Lee

Storyline

Ambitious, wide-eyed boy Nick Leeson (Ewan McGregor) is determined to rise in the world and be more than a simple bank clerk. When his employers, Barings Bank, offer him the opportunity to go to Jakarta, Indonesia to sort out a problem that nobody else wants, he seizes the opportunity with both hands. In Jakarta, he meets and marries Lisa (Anna Friel), and together they go to Singapore when the bank offers him the job of setting up their future options trading operation. To save money, the bank allows Nick to operate the floor trading and the back office facilities, and force him to employ cheap, unskilled staff. His first year of trading is a big success, and he makes large profits for the bank, even though he has illegally broken trading rules and secretly covered up losses. Given more freedom, even more money, and continuing unchecked, Nick starts to make losses, and again attempts to trade out of them, but this time he comes unstuck as his illegal trading generates even bigger ...

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Plot Keywords:

hare krishna | bank | money | barings bank | singapore | 

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Taglines:

Money isn't for greedy people

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 June 1999 (UK)

Also Known As:

Vild satsning

Filming Locations:

Fleet Street, Holborn, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$12,800,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Film Productions, Newmarket Capital Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After David Frost interviewed Nick Leeson in prison, he realized the potential for this movie and optioned the rights to the story.

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Goofs

In one of the club/bar scenes, Blur's "Song 2" is heard playing in the background. The events took place in 1995. "Song 2" was released in 1997.

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Quotes

German Policeman: [checking Lisa's passport] Where is your man?
Nick Leeson: [stepping foward] I'm her man.

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Connections

Features Dad's Army: No Spring for Frazer (1969)

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Soundtracks

Knight on the Town
Written by Crispian Mills
Performed by Kula Shaker

User Reviews

You think your job is stressful?

When I saw the ratings and the comments listed for this movie, I wasn't sure that this was the movie I saw last night! If you're looking for a history lesson on the fall of Synex, read a book. If you're looking for an edge of your seat thriller, with no violence at all, and hilarious breaks in the tension, this is your flic. First, Ewan McGregor is becoming one of my top actors. His portrayal of a cool-as-a-cucumber trader, even under incredible stress is delightful. You can't help but be nervous as Nick Leeson dodges bosses, controllers, and his wife. The level of the stress is clearly portrayed, and his fantasy scenes are great. The other actors are shallow, but hilarious. Enjoy this flic. I did.