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.
