AllMovie

Given the fact that WWI was in its second year, audiences could not be blamed for assuming that When London Burned was a war picture. In truth, however, this 4-reel melodrama from Britain's Clarendon Studios was set during the Plague of 1666, when London was set afire to prevent further spreading of the disease. Before the conflagration gets out of control, the film's focus shifts to the lovely Annabel, who is lusted after by roguish adventurer Rochester. Annabel is kidnapped by Rochester and spirited away in a coach, which unfortunately catches fire as it passes through London. Fortunately, Annabel escapes, and at the end of the picture is reunited with her true love, one Leonard Holt. The fire scenes were well worth having, but otherwise this adaptation of Harry Ainsworth's novel At Old St. Paul's was nothing special.