I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Oliver Reed gives one of his usually visceral turns in this wartime comedy thriller by - of all people - Michael Winner.A British soldier captured by the Germans; he is put to work at the zoo where he soon develops a bond with Lucy the solitary female elephant. During an air-raid, the zoo is destroyed, and he is tasked with the animal's evacuation supervised by two German soldiers. One is inevitably harsh and mean-spirited, the other bookish and kindly. At a crisis, the kindly one kills the other and is persuaded to help Brooks take the animal to Switzerland. Along the way, they have adventures.At the same time, a German officer played by Wolfgang Preiss, with a venal dislike and sneaking respect for Brooks, endeavours to procure his recapture.Also at the same time, a group of partisans led by fellow escapees (leader played by Pollard) are busily engaged in sundry sabotage.The emphasis is more upon humour than war or tragedy, resembling that other great wartime comedy 'Kelly's Heroes'. But what makes this movie so compelling is the emphasis upon cultural collateral. No other movie (so far as I'm aware) spares a thought for the plight of the other species we lock up in prisons, or the loss of cultural assets. They're almost exclusively centred upon humans and human suffering.Reed, Pollard, Preiss, Lohner et al, each give creditable performances, as indeed does the elephant itself. Filming - quite evidently on location - is expansive with quite wonderful vistas of alpine landscape, allowing personalities to expand alike. I am reminded of the professor picking flowers in the equally vintaged 'Italian Job' - 'Pity people aren't more like flowers.' War-effects are solidly recreated and grim. There are plenty of good humorous moments. Most are predictable, but fun all the same. A pleasant, romantic theme music matches the elephant's languid pace. Those who criticise and down-score this movie because of its almost perfect ending are completely missing the point. It's a feelgood movie set in the war - and what's wrong with that? Would you have the elephant killed for greater authenticity? Maybe deprive Kelly and his heroes of their bullion? Perhaps the Von Trapp family should have been machine-gunned on the threshold of escape. Near miracles do happen in wars; I see no reason why a movie shouldn't depict one.This is a 'complete' work. Everything meshes. It's one of the few genuinely creative efforts from Michael Winner. Although it reflects its age in every way that's no criticism. Let the warmongers and realists soak up the blood and guts of 'Private Ryan's' beach-landing. Those who prefer a little light relief sometimes should enjoy 'Hannibal Brooks' immensely.

Yes, this film is nuts.(WARNING BASIC PLOT OVERVIEW FOLLOWS:)So let me get this straight, Oliver Reed is a Prisoner Of War, captured and contained by the Germans as the Second World War draws to a close. The German army , (being unusually considerate in this film) give him the job of mucking out the Elephant quarters in the nearby Zoo.But when the allies bomb the Zoo during a raid, our hero goes on the run for the Swiss border and freedom... with... an Elephant.It sounds bad, but actually, this is one of my favourite films. (In the UK at least) you will find that a year does not go by without this film being shown on terrestrial TV. This is how I saw it as a child and thought it was great. It is a strange film, difficult to see what market it was aimed at. It has Oliver Reed and Michael J Pollard in absurdly comic mode, playing the fool(s) in the midst of war. The audience tends to be spared the horrors of combat in favour of slapstick violence. (and this in a film by Michael "Death Wish" Winner !)(Spoiler follows) In one seen (depicted on the US poster for the film) a group of German soldiers are quite casually dispatched when Hannibal, (Reed) makes his travelling companion, (Elephant) roll some freshly chopped timber down a hill and over them.So if you are prepared for a little adventure with a big heart and it's tongue firmly placed in it's cheek, Give Hannibal Brooks a go. You might just like it. (But you might have a hard time finding it on video or DVD !)

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.