Hannibal (1959 film)
| Hannibal | |
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| Directed by |
Edgar G. Ulmer Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia |
| Produced by | Ottavio Poggi |
| Starring | Victor Mature |
| Music by | Carlo Rustichelli |
| Cinematography | Raffaele Masciocchi |
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Production
company |
Liber Films
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| Distributed by | Warner Bros |
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Release date
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Running time
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103 minutes |
| Country | Italy |
| Language | Italian |
| Budget | $2.5 million |
| Box office | $1,550,000 (US/ Canada) |
Hannibal (Italian: Annibale) is a 1959 Italian historical adventure film based on the life of Hannibal, starring Victor Mature in the title role. The film was directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia. It marks the first film paring of Terence Hill and Bud Spencer.
The film begins with the Roman Senate hearing about Hannibal (Victor Mature) crossing the Alps with his men and many elephants. The crossing is difficult, with many men dying en route, but they manage to pass through, in part because Hannibal forms an allegiance with a local chieftain.
Hannibal's troops capture Sylvia, daughter of Roman senator Fabius Maximus, and she and Hannibal fall in love. Some of Hannibal's troops oppose the match and an unsuccessful attempt is made on Sylvia's life. Hannibal also loses an eye during battle.
Despite the warnings of Fabius, who suggests avoiding battle and waging a campaign of exhaustion, the decision is made to fight Hannibal out in the open. The consequence is a massive Roman defeat at Cannae.
Fabius is recalled to lead the Roman Army and the momentum of Hannibal's campaign begins to wane. His wife and child arrive from Carthage. Sylvia returns to Rome and commits suicide. A postscript informs us that Hannibal fought on for many more years in other lands.
Despite being an Italian production the film was mainly financed by American studio Warner Brothers.
Victor Mature signed to make the film with Liber Films of Rome in March 1959. Filming took place in October of that year with a reported budget of $2.5 million. Edgar Ulmer was the American representative of the company.
The only English speaking actors in the film were Victor Mature and Rita Gam, all the other actors were Italian and had their lines dubbed into English. The film featured approximately 20,000 extras.
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