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.

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.

A great story and a match made in heaven you'd think considering the Beebs past efforts. Despite its scholarly pretensions though this one's a real clunker. Hanibal starts out promisingly. Soon in though face off between the whiny and diminutive Hanibal and the extremely over acted Roman envoy set the tone. The writing is just awful and when in a strategic meeting Hannibal refers to 'France' and 'Spain' rather than 'Gaul' and 'Iberia' then you know this isn't gonna bit the usual BBC highbrow standards.The battle scenes in HD compensate for the toe curlingly bad dialogue though, especially those of the elephants charging collumns of Romans. (altough in reality only one elephant made it alive over the alps.)A good effort on the technical side. Now if only can marry the folks at the beeb who knock out the quality stuff with these guys we could be in for some epic TV.

Nice to look at. Hannibal going over the Alps, the battle of Cannae, war elephants, and the major characters of this epic conflict are worthwhile looking at. The enormous dramatic potential of characters like Hannibal and his Roman adversaries, Varro, Fabius and Scipio have not been transferred to a really thrilling film, though. The whole script sticks very close to the ancient Roman historians Livius and Polybios - almost to the letter. Especially the titles introducing characters or events make the film look like a school film sometimes. Nonetheless Hannibal enthusiasts will have a pleasant evening with this movie.