Hannibal Brooks

Very interesting story concept. It's worth watching for that novelty alone, however, thankfully, there are other reasons. Some decent action, comedy, and even some well performed and interesting characters exist in this slightly off beat film. If you can suspend you're disbelief enough to accept that an elephant can traipse about a countryside with little to no food for it to eat, then you should be able to enjoy Hannibal Brooks. 6 of 10 stars

Well worth watching! Escaping from Germany to Switzerland with an elephant, Hannibal Brooks embarks on an action-packed adventure that will keep your attention, and provide some laughs along the way.

Michael J. Pollard does, to an extent, spoil every scene he is in. I think that the main problem that Oliver Reed is one of the finest actors of the past thirty years - all brooding menace and power bubbling under the surface. Considering his role as Bill Sykes (the ultimate depiction of a vicious character), he is quite believable here. However Pollard hams up his role and plays it like a smacked up hippy. I can't imagine that the French Resistance fighters would have followed him for an instance, and I am sorry to say he is badly miscast here. The film is also, to an extent, a little derivative, with some pretty shoddy direction. It does have some superb cinematography which helps balance this out, but to be honest its a film to watch on December 27th when you have had your fill of Christmas cheer and just fancy something light.

As war films go, this one stands alone as the daftest concept I have come across. However, as light entertainment, it has all the mix of goodies and baddies, superheroes, tragedy and comedy. The 'we're here' line never fails to bring a smile to my face. One can excuse the acting [which is a tad wooden and stilted at times] and settle back to enjoy a traditional good yarn. The music, I believe by Francis Lai, remains one of my favourite film scores and superbly compliments the film throughout. To summarise, take time out to watch this film and I'm sure you wont feel time was wasted.

They simply do not make films like this any longer. Anyone who is reading this probably already knows what the film is essentially about. This particular movie has a truly timeless quality about, and all the various plot twists and surprises never leave the viewer at all bored. Michael J. Pollard and Oliver Reed work very well together on screen, and it is too bad that this is the only film the two them made with one another. Try your best to locate this film, as it is frequently listed. Again, this movie is great fun and is worth repeated viewings!

Something very different from Michael Winner, one of the directors best known for sleaze, violence and bad taste. This one's a far gentler comedy adventure in which a well-cast Oliver Reed plays a zoo keeper who decides to escape the Nazis with his elephant Lucy in tow. It's an unusual film for sure but one which plays out very nicely. Reed gives a fine physical performance, one of my favourites of his, and the Alpine scenery is breathtaking throughout. There's a constant stream of humour and action along with plenty of surprises. A real 'feel good' film from a director not known for them.