Disraeli is a rather poor example of an early sound film. It basically just sticks the camera to look in the general vicinity of the actors and calls it a day. Now this could almost at least make for a decent film if the screenplay and acting was there. The problem is neither of those things are. The film is just a long series of scenes to say how great Disraeli is which is a shame since I think there is a fascinating story to be found in his rivalry with fellow Prime Minister William Gladstone. None of that is to be found here as it tells its story that lacks really a single dynamic moment in it. It's not helped by a bland cast, where you know there's a problem when George Arliss gives the best performance, and he's also more than a little musty himself.
1.5/5
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