Hannibal (2006) (TV)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Edward Bazalgette

Writers:

Matthew Faulk (writer)
Mark Skeet (writer)

Release Date:

13 April 2006 (Australia)

Genre:

Action | Biography | Drama | History | War

Plot:

It is 200 years before the birth of Christ and Rome is the new superpower of the ancient world. She believes she is invincible...

Plot Keywords:

Hannibal | Elephant | Roman Empire | Character Name In Title

Cast

Alexander Siddig	...	Hannibal
Emilio Doorgasingh	...	Maharbal
Mido Hamada	...	Mago
Hristo Mitzkov	...	Gisko
Shaun Dingwall	...	Scipio
Tristan Gemmill	...	Varro
Ben Cross	...	Fabius
Valentin Ganev	...	Paulius
Bashar Rahal	...	Hasdrubal
Rob Dixon	...	Publius Scipio
Hristo Mutafchiev	...	Vandicar
Teodora Ivanova	...	Imilce
Vincent Riotta	...	Hanno
Ivan Petrushinov	...	Boii Chief
Kenneth Cranham	...	Narrator (voice)

Also Known As:

Hannibal: Rome's Worst Nightmare (International: English title)

Runtime:

Canada:89 min | Argentina:92 min (DVD version)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Argentina:13

Filming Locations:

Bulgaria

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

This exciting Television movie blends historic documentary,drama and spectacular battles

This is an epic documentary and fiction film released by BBC.Hannibal history is imaginatively brought to the life on impressive images with great production values by thousands extras and computer generator shots.Sword cross,drama and documentary abound in this spellbinding adaptation on audacious Hannibal existence,one of the most glorious military in the History.

Hannibal(Alexander Siddig) made an oath in the presence his father,Amilcar Barca,to revenge the injustice inflicted on his country,Charthago.His sons Hannibal,Mago(Hamada) and Asdrubal gather together for battling the Romans.Hannibal broke the ¨statu quo¨,he crossed the river Ebro,the natural frontier between the Roman power and the Charthaginian and he attacked Sagunto allied of Roma,causing the second Punic war.The mastermind Charthaginian commander going on crossing the Pyrinees and Alps with a colossal Army :5o.ooo military,9.ooo horses and 37 elephants transported from Africa.He vanquished the Roman Army in several battles : Trevia(218), lake Trasimeno(217)which caused a great commotion and Roma appointed a Dictator named Favio Maximus(Ben Cross).Finally the Romans suffered the most great defeat: Cannas(216).Then was appointed the commander Publio Cornelius Scipion(Rob Dixon) who achieved to defeat the Charthaginians and he took Cartago Nova and Gades and beheaded to Asdrubal,whose head was sent his brother Hannibal.While Hannibal hoped reinforcements from Chartago,Publio Cornelio Escipion the African disembarked in Africa and threaten Chartago.Then Hannibal returned to Africa for confronting against Escipion.And Hannibal was ultimately defeated in Zama(202)in spite of getting a most numbered Army. He flees and takes refuge under king Antioco III in Syria and posteriorly he committed suicide.

This TV movie,though semi-documentary and historical research, is well played by an excellent plethora of fine British actors.Alexander Siddig as Hannibal is magnificent,he is an usual of costumer personages,in a Lawrence of Arabia(1991 with Ralph Fiennes) version played the king Feisal,besides played in Kingdom of heaven, Reign of fire and Syriana(as the Oriental prince).The famed actor Ben Cross(Chariots of fire)plays splendidly as Favio Maximo.The prestigious secondary actor Kenneth Cranham actuates as voice narrator in off . The movie will like to people enamored with historic event and epic feats.