Hannibal

The BBC makes a lot of good historical documentaries and the story of Hannibal has everything needed for a great one. This treatment was very far from it, simply because it was too short. Given the length of Hannibal's campaign, much longer than Alexander's, a two hour documentary would be the minimum.

Okay, BBC doesn't have the budget and our knowledge of Hannibal is incomplete, not to mention that much of what we do know is in contention. Still, Hannibal's genius didn't just lie in his crossing of the alps and Cannae, but in general logistics. His being able to outmaneuver his opponents again and again. I would love to have seen the crossing of the Rhone, both Trebbia and Trasimene, and a lot more detail on Cannae and Zama, all of which are timeless classics in classical history. The fact that our knowledge is incomplete also allows for a lot of opportunists for informed guesswork and gap-filling, which the producers have missed out on.

All this is a huge shame because Siddig was a very believable Hannibal and a good actor. In general, BBC documentaries do history much better than Hollywood, because attention is given to accuracy, and the target audience is more specific. It's just unfortunate that they're limited by such things and budget and time constraints. Given the length of this show, it is unlikely that it will be released on DVD, and it will be a long time before there will be another attempt at Hannibal...

I did read Livius' Ab Urbe Condita, largely based on which the film was made. Thus I could not help comparing the film with what Livius originally wrote. (The Anglicized name of Livius is Livy. But I will stick to Livius in this review because I do not like the practice of Anglicization of proper names in general.)

Livius' spent more than ten books on the Second Punic War. So it is a very difficult task to condense the story within 90 minutes. The film has done relatively well. The most important events have been included. (It would have been better if Hannibal's political achievements after the conclusion of the Second Punic War had not been omitted. Hannibal was not only a great general, but also a good statesman.)

The major problem that I see with this film is historical inaccuracies.

The first moment that I was a bit turned off was when Hannibal said he would enter Italy via France. But the name France was not to exist for hundreds of years. Unlike Spain or Italy, France did not get its modern name until the beginning of the Middle Ages. I can understand that the director did not want to confuse modern audience with historical names like Gaul. But still, calling that region France in Hannibal's time is preposterous. The same with "Turkey" at the end of the film. Come on. The Turks would not be known in Europe for another 1500 years. (Fortunately they did not decide to call Carthage Tunisia.)

The scene that Hannibal ordered his soldiers to bring firewood and wine to break a big rock blocking his way in the Alps is based on a story told by Livius. But the authenticity of this story has long been disputed. Given its historical insignificance, I am not sure whether it was wise to include this story in the film while omitting many much more important events.

I was very impressed with the quality and history telling in this BBC adaption. The BBC seem to have a talent for picking famous stories and fetching them to life in a unique drama and documentary blend. I had little knowledge of Hannibal before watching it (most people just know about the elephants) but after watching it i new the entire history of Hannibal. The acting was excellent with actors such as Alexander Siddig (kingdom of heaven) and a lot more fine actors . I would say this is a must for any person who enjoys history and enjoys a good factual story of a man who turned the tables on the greatest nation in the world (Romans) .

This is an epic documentary and fiction film released by History channel . Hannibal history is imaginatively brought to the life on impressive images with great production values by thousands of extras and state-of-the-art FX , including computer generator shots , recreating faithfully his army with 40,000 soldiers and 37 elephants . 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 . It was an act so daring that few people believed it possible . Hannibal broke the ¨statu quo¨, he crossed 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 marched 1,500 miles to challenge his enemies on their own soil . Hannibal 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 greatest defeat : Cannas(216) . Then , it was appointed the commander Publio Cornelius Scipion (Rob Dixon) who achieved defeat the Charthaginians and he took Cartago Nova and Gades and beheaded to Asdrúbal , 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 he , posteriorly , 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 usual in costumer roles , in a Lawrence of Arabia (1991 with Ralph Fiennes) version played king Feisal ; besides , he 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 Máximo . The prestigious secondary actor Kenneth Cranham actuates as voice narrator in off . The movie will appeal to people enamored with historic event and epic feats.

An interesting docudrama telling the story of Hannibal Barca, the ancient Carthaginian general who led his forces against Rome.

Throughout the film we follow Hannibal, from his childhood when he swears to forever be an enemy of Rome to his crossing of the alps and ultimately the decisive Battle of Zama where his forces face off against those of the Roman general Scipio. Despite some minor historical inaccuracies (the modern names France and Spain being used to describe their ancient counterparts) the story is told very faithfully and despite being a TV production the film has great production value and almost feels cinematic at points.

Alexander Siddig gives a wonderful performance as Hannibal, so much so that it's his version of Hannibal that comes to mind when I think of Hannibal Barca. Shaun Dingwall is also great at portraying Scipio and in the few scenes they share together they play off each other very well.

Overall it is a very good docudrama and was my personal first introduction to the history of Hannibal and Carthage. I'd highly recommend it for anyone interested in ancient Roman or Carthaginian history or ancient history in general.