The Secret History of the Credit Card
The Secret History of the Credit Card

Movie spotlight

The Secret History of the Credit Card

2004
Movie
54 min
English

FRONTLINE and The New York Times examine how the credit card industry became so pervasive, so lucrative, and so politically powerful.

Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Director: Dan GellerGenres: Documentary, History

Plot Summary

This documentary explores the complex and often controversial history of the credit card. It delves into the evolution of credit from its early forms to the ubiquitous plastic cards of today, examining the economic and social impacts of their widespread adoption. The film investigates the strategies employed by financial institutions to encourage credit card usage and the subsequent rise in consumer debt.

Critical Reception

As a documentary focused on a specific economic topic, 'The Secret History of the Credit Card' received attention for its informative content and critical examination of financial practices. While specific critical reviews are sparse, the film is generally regarded as a valuable educational tool for understanding the societal shift towards consumer credit and its consequences.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its thorough research into the history of credit cards.

  • Appreciated for shedding light on the evolution of consumer debt.

  • Seen as an important, albeit dense, historical account of financial innovation.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this documentary is not readily available.

Fun Fact

The documentary traces the invention of the first credit card, the Diners Club card, which was initially intended to solve the problem of people forgetting their wallets at restaurants.

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