Hannibal (2006) (TV)

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)

Very good to see something about the historically neglected Scipio.

It is very good to see something about the historically neglected Scipio. Who, in my estimation, is the greatest General of all time. But his greatness goes beyond military prowess. He saved Rome from extinction and set the foundation for it being first the Ruler of the Mediterranean, then of the "Known World".

His victory was historically very significant, as it meant that Europe and the "Western" World would be Christian and largely Caucasian. If Hannibal had won, Europe and the West would have been Oriental and probably Muslim. The Carthaginians were Oriental. And North Africa did become Muslim about 800 years later. Had Carthage lasted to that point, "we" would have most likely been Muslim and Oriental.

The film is generally accurate, but fails on one significant point. Hannibal did not immediately escape to Turkey. After his defeat, Scipio appointed him--his defeated enemy--as military governor of Carthage. And within 5 years Carthage was more prosperous than ever before. And has repaid all the war reparations imposed by Scipio and Rome.

Later, some dissatisfied militarists wanted Carthage to go back to war with Rome. They asked Hannibal to lead them, but he would have no part of it. He wanted to honor his agreement with Scipio. He fled the country to avoid having to start what he knew would be a lost war. Which the Third Punic War was. This time there was no honorable and rational Scipio, and Carthage was totally destroyed. Becoming part of the desert sand.

The source for this is "A Greater than Napoleon", by B. H. Liddell Hart, the noted British historian. Perhaps the best military historian of the 20th Century. In the early 1930s he tried to persuade the British government about the danger of the Panzer Divisions Hitler was building. The German generals read his books. During the Second World War they would often muse to themselves, "I wonder what Liddell Hart would do now...?" After the war, none of the German generals wanted to talk to anyone. But when offered the chance to talk to Liddell Hart they said "Yes, yes! I would be honored to talk to him".

But there is a seemingly unknown, very important side of Scipio. After his victory at Zama he was accorded a Triumph in Rome, granted by a grateful Senate and people. I can see him know, leading the remnants of the 5th and 6th Legions, defeated at Cannae, but reformed and used by Scipio at Zama. Leading the way up the Appian Way to the Senate.

Scipio was again offered the position of Sole Consul for Life. Meaning "dictator". But he refused, saying the "The Honor of leading Rome to victory over its enemies and saving Rome from destruction is sufficient for me".

Eventually, to honor those who had served him during the 20 long years or so, he relented and accepted. But only for the usual one year, saying "No man should rule other men, and certainly not for a lifetime". Therein lies his greatness. The understanding that ruling the lives of others is immoral. And irrational, as societal system based on coercion cannnot and never do survive in the long term.

Sadly, some time after his victory and when he had retired to his ancestral home in Liternum, he was accused of corruption. "Why did he offer such lenient peace terms?! There must have been bribery".

The Senate sent a young Centurion to Liternum to arrest Scipio on charges of treason. Scipio, interrupting his lunch, met the Centurion in front of his house.

He reminded the Centurion that he was only a schoolboy at the time of his victory at Zama. That he would not understand the true history. That Rome was at the door of defeat, and he--Scipio—-had saved Rome. Had he not done so, "You, young Centurion, would be either dead or a slave of the Carthaginians. Along with your family. Return to the Senate, remind them that I saved Rome, and I want no more of their lack of gratitude and their impertinence".

The chagrined and chastised Centurion did as he should, and there was no more of the matter.

I am very, very grateful to Edward Bazalgette, Phil Dolling and all the others associated with the making of this film.