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Carnivàle

  • TV Series
  • 2003–20052003–2005
  • TV-MATV-MA
  • 55m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
44K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,713
31
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Carnivàle (2003)
During the Great Depression, an Oklahoma farm boy and a charismatic minister learn that they are key players in a proxy war being fought between Heaven and Hell.
Play trailer3:32
1 Video
91 Photos
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
  • Mystery

During the Great Depression, an Oklahoma farm boy and a charismatic minister learn that they are key players in a proxy war being fought between Heaven and Hell.During the Great Depression, an Oklahoma farm boy and a charismatic minister learn that they are key players in a proxy war being fought between Heaven and Hell.During the Great Depression, an Oklahoma farm boy and a charismatic minister learn that they are key players in a proxy war being fought between Heaven and Hell.

IMDb RATING
8.4/10
44K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,713
31
  • Creator
    • Daniel Knauf
  • Stars
    • Michael J. Anderson
    • Adrienne Barbeau
    • Clancy Brown
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Daniel Knauf
  • Stars
    • Michael J. Anderson
    • Adrienne Barbeau
    • Clancy Brown
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 152User reviews
    • 35Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 5 Primetime Emmys
      • 14 wins & 26 nominations total

    Episodes24

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos1

    DVD Trailer - Season 1
    Trailer 3:32
    DVD Trailer - Season 1

    Photos91

    Michael J. Anderson in Carnivàle (2003)
    Adrienne Barbeau in Carnivàle (2003)
    Nick Stahl in Carnivàle (2003)
    Clea DuVall and Carla Gallo in Carnivàle (2003)
    Carnivàle (2003)
    Cynthia Ettinger and Carla Gallo in Carnivàle (2003)
    Tim DeKay and Carla Gallo in Carnivàle (2003)
    Ralph Waite in Carnivàle (2003)
    Tim DeKay in Carnivàle (2003)
    Clancy Brown in Carnivàle (2003)
    Clancy Brown in Carnivàle (2003)
    Michael J. Anderson in Carnivàle (2003)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Michael J. Anderson
    Michael J. Anderson
    • Samsonas Samson
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Adrienne Barbeau
    Adrienne Barbeau
    • Ruthieas Ruthie
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Clancy Brown
    Clancy Brown
    • Brother Justin Croweas Brother Justin Crowe
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Debra Christofferson
    Debra Christofferson
    • Lilaas Lila
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Tim DeKay
    Tim DeKay
    • Clayton 'Jonesy' Jonesas Clayton 'Jonesy' Jones
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Clea DuVall
    Clea DuVall
    • Sofieas Sofie
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Cynthia Ettinger
    Cynthia Ettinger
    • Rita Sue Dreifussas Rita Sue Dreifuss
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Carla Gallo
    Carla Gallo
    • Libby Dreifussas Libby Dreifuss
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Toby Huss
    Toby Huss
    • Felix 'Stumpy' Dreifussas Felix 'Stumpy' Dreifuss
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Amy Madigan
    Amy Madigan
    • Iris Croweas Iris Crowe
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Nick Stahl
    Nick Stahl
    • Ben Hawkinsas Ben Hawkins
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Brian Turk
    Brian Turk
    • Gabrielas Gabriel
    24 episodes24 eps • 2003–2005
    Diane Salinger
    Diane Salinger
    • Apolloniaas Apollonia
    18 episodes18 eps • 2003–2005
    Patrick Bauchau
    Patrick Bauchau
    • Professor Ernst Lodzas Professor Ernst Lodz
    16 episodes16 eps • 2003–2005
    Ralph Waite
    Ralph Waite
    • Reverend Norman Balthusas Reverend Norman Balthus
    16 episodes16 eps • 2003–2005
    John Savage
    John Savage
    • Henry 'Hack' Scudderas Henry 'Hack' Scudder
    15 episodes15 eps • 2003–2005
    Scott MacDonald
    Scott MacDonald
    • Burleyas Burley
    14 episodes14 eps • 2003–2005
    Robert Knepper
    Robert Knepper
    • Tommy Dolanas Tommy Dolan
    13 episodes13 eps • 2003–2005
    • Creator
      • Daniel Knauf
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    1934, America. The Dustbowl. A fugitive named Ben Hawkins finds refuge within a traveling carnival comprised of a tarot card reader and her catatonic/telekinetic mother, a blind mentalist, a bearded lady, and conjoined twins, amongst others. The carnival is owned by the mysterious and unseen Management, who has designs on the young Hawkins, for the boy is concealing an untapped gift: he can heal the lame and raise the dead--at a price. Ben also finds himself disturbed by cryptic and prophetic dreams, which he shares with a Methodist preacher in California, Brother Justin Crowe. Brother Justin, convinced by his dreams he is following God's will, has begun to practice his own extraordinary talents, although the preacher's plans increasingly lead to disturbing and tragic consequences. In this "last great age of magic," Ben Hawkins and Justin Crowe are moving toward a great conflict between Good and Evil, although it not yet clear on which sides these men will stand. —matta2k
    • carnie
    • large breasts
    • bare breasts
    • female striptease
    • timeframe 1930s
    • 89 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Into each generation is born a creature of light and a creature of darkness.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • TV-MA
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The intro at the beginning of each show is so intricate and complex it took months to assemble.
    • Goofs
      Whenever "Russian" dialogue is heard, most of it is just gibberish.
    • Quotes

      [Opening lines of the series]

      Samson: Before the beginning, after the great war between Heaven and Hell, God created the Earth and gave dominion over it to the crafty ape he called man. And to each generation was born a creature of light and a creature of darkness. And great armies clashed by night in the ancient war between good and evil. There was magic then, nobility, and unimaginable cruelty. And so it was until the day that a false sun exploded over Trinity, and man forever traded away wonder for reason.

    • Connections
      Featured in Making 'Carnivàle': The Show Behind the Show (2003)

    User reviews152

    Review
    Top review
    A Question
    I think Carnivale has to be one of the most incredibly addictive series I have ever seen. However, all my friends seem to disagree.. so I have to ask, am I alone or are there others who feel the same? I mean, the overall darkness of its themes and how brother Justin ties into Hawkins is very compelling. There is also the fact that if I listened to a description of the show, (traveling carnival in the great depression era) I would have never watched it. But I saw every episode in one day, with no real idea what it was about and now I have to say its my favorite HBO series ever... am I alone?? hehe
    helpful•131
    41
    • chronicsoldier
    • Dec 8, 2003

    FAQ3

    • How does the magic work in Carnivale? What are Avatars?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 14, 2003 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • HBO
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
      • French
      • German
    • Also known as
      • La feria ambulante
    • Filming locations
      • California State University Channel Islands - One University Drive, Camarillo, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • 3 Arts Entertainment
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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