"Scipio Africanus: The Defeat of Hannibal"
1937
Directed by Carmine Gallone

Although he's not credited, some sources suggest that Benito Mussolini himself had a hand in the screenplay of this epic film from Italy's fascist era. Certainly the film was strongly supervised by Mussolini's son, Vittorio, and designed to inspire patriotic feelings among the populace with its celebratory depiction of ancient Rome's battles, and eventual victory, against Hannibal's forces in Africa. The film is a fascinating blend of visual triumphs (tremendous battle scenes and pageantry) and failures (shots with telephone wires in the background) that may suggest the discomfort of director Carmine Gallone, who was ordered back from working abroad to head this project. Gallone would later direct the anti-fascist movie, Before Him All Rome Trembled. Made decades before animal cruelty watchdog groups policed filmmaking, the movie includes the cruel spectacle of some elephants being slaughtered. Dubbed in English.  85 minutes.