"Carnivàle" (2003) TV series 2003-2005

User Rating:

9.0/10   

Creator:

Daniel Knauf

Seasons:

1 | 2

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Into each generation is born a creature of light and a creature of darkness.

Plot:

1934, America. The Dustbowl. A fugitive named Ben Hawkins finds refuge within a traveling carnival comprised...

Plot Keywords:

Preacher | Carnival | California | Tarot Card | God

Awards:

Won 5 Primetime Emmys. Another 9 wins & 25 nominations

Cast

Michael J. Anderson	...	Samson (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Adrienne Barbeau	...	Ruthie / ... (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Clancy Brown	...	Brother Justin Crowe (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Debra Christofferson	...	Lila (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Tim DeKay	...	Clayton 'Jonesy' Jones / ... (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Clea DuVall	...	Sofie (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Cynthia Ettinger	...	Rita Sue Dreifuss (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Carla Gallo	...	Libby Dreifuss (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Toby Huss	...	Felix 'Stumpy' Dreifuss (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Amy Madigan	...	Iris Crowe (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Nick Stahl	...	Ben Hawkins (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Brian Turk	...	Gabriel (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Craig DeSilva	...	Promo Announcer (24 episodes, 2003-2005)
Diane Salinger	...	Apollonia (17 episodes, 2003-2005)
Patrick Bauchau	...	Professor Lodz / ... (16 episodes, 2003-2005)
Ralph Waite	...	Reverend Norman Balthus (16 episodes, 2003-2005)
John Savage	...	Henry 'Hack' Scudder (15 episodes, 2003-2005)
Scott MacDonald	...	Burley (14 episodes, 2003-2005)
Michael Stellman	...	Fire Eater (13 episodes, 2003-2005)
John Fleck	...	Gecko (12 episodes, 2003)
Karyne Steben	...	Alexandria (12 episodes, 2003)
John Carroll Lynch	...	Varlyn Stroud (12 episodes, 2005)
Sarah Steben	...	Caladonia (12 episodes, 2003)
Robert Knepper	...	Tommy Dolan (12 episodes, 2003-2005)
Blake Shields	...	Osgood (12 episodes, 2003-2005)
Larry Vigus	...	Carny (12 episodes, 2003)
Nicholas Garren	...	Roustie (11 episodes, 2005)

Also Known As:

La feria ambulante (USA: Spanish title)

Runtime:

60 min (24 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

French | Russian | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Australia:M (some episodes) | New Zealand:R13 | USA:TV-MA | Finland:K-15 (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Portugal:M/12 (DVD rating) | Spain:18 | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

California State University Channel Islands - One University Drive, Camarillo, California, USA

Company:

Home Box Office (HBO)

Trivia:

The Russian soldier's (Michael Massee) name is Lucius Belyakov.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The "Russian" that Iris and Justin are speaking is actually gibberish.

Quotes:

Samson: Lyle, I'm tellin' you this operation is 100% legit.
Sheriff Lyle Donovan: I never heard an honest man use "legit".

Movie Connections:

Featured in Making 'Carnivàle': The Show Behind the Show (2003) (TV)

Please Read

This is one of the most addictive television shows that has been aired in many years; It is finally on DVD, and I cannot wait until the premiere of the second season on January 9, 2005. The casting of this series is excellent- I especially love Linda Hunt as the voice of Management to Clancy Brown as Brother Justin to Michael Anderson as Samson- the whole cast is wonderful- along with the scenery and pace of the show; it does not have the "rollar Coaster" mentality, but rather sets up all of the characters so you begin either begin to care for them or despise them accordingly. THe First Season set up the cast of Characters, and from what I can tell, the second season will put everything in motion and have more action involved. I am going to go buy the season one on DVD as soon as possible (as soon as I finish writing this review). There have only been twelve episodes so far, and I hope there will be at least 30 more (or however many more it takes til the story is told.) I also enjoy the Carnie Lingo, and to see the contrast of how people lived in different areas.

Samson: Before the beginning, after the great war between Heaven and Hell, God created the Earth and gave dominion over it to the crafty ape he called man. And to each generation was born a creature of light and a creature of darkness. And great armies clashed by night in the ancient war between good and evil. There was magic then, nobility, and unimaginable cruelty. And so it was until the day that a false sun exploded over Trinity, and man forever traded away wonder for reason.