Released to TV in 2001 and directed by Dick Lowry, "Attila" is a historical epic taking place during the waning days of the Roman Empire in the first half of the 5th century where a barbarian named Attila (Gerard Butler) assumes Hun leadership and unites the divided clans. Attila seeks to form an empire and views Rome, under the incompetent leadership of Caesar Valentinian (Reg Rogers), ripe for Conquest. To quell a Hun invasion, ambitious General Flavius Aetius (Powers Boothe) attempts to form an alliance with Attila against their mutual enemy, Visigoth King Theodoric (Liam Cunningham). But the strategy backfires and there must be a showdown between the three armies. Pauline Lynch and Tommy Flanagan stand out as Attila's soothsayer and rivalrous brother respectively. Kirsty Mitchell and Alice Krige are likewise on hand as Valentinian's sister and mother while Simmone Mackinnon shines as Attila's love interest in an interesting dual role. Kate Steavenson-Payne plays Aetius' daughter and Tim Curry the ruler of the Eastern Empire, Theodosius. I wasn't expecting much from "Attila," especially after seeing the contemporaneous TV epic "Druids," which is astonishingly amateurish (albeit worthwhile in a so-bad-it's-good way), but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite its TV-budget limitations, "Attila" is one of the greatest sword & sandal flicks I've ever seen. "Braveheart"? "Gladiator"? These pale in comparison. No kidding. Not in the realm of technical quality, since those movies cost way more to make, but in the realm of quality characters and compelling story. Sure, there's a comic book tone to the proceedings, but the story moves briskly, never getting bogged down, and the complications of the events are made palatable. The cinematography, costumes, score and locations are notable, although some of the Roman sets are dubious. Butler makes for a worthy protagonist even though it is said that the barrel-chested Attila was short of stature with half-Asian features (Gerard is 6'2" and Scottish). There are several historical inaccuracies, but no more so than the two hailed movies noted above. The film runs 177 minutes and was shot in Lithuania. GRADE: A-

One great movie, did not get as much attention as Troy, but Attila was one of the most power leaders at the time. The movie was entertaining and I don't care if it wasn't historical or not. It was real sad, real fights, real sexy and a great story. It is a little long (2.5+ hrs.) and some people might find this movie to be a little boring since some parts are slow. Just talking and so on, but when the fighting starts it's exciting. I rate it 10/10 since it's one of the best Greek/Roman movies I've seen in years.There are only 2 known Hollywood stars in this movie and Tim Curry being the biggest. Remember the funny guy playing in Home Alone 2 and 3 Musketeers? Otherwise all other characters are not that big.

What a good movie. A real way to improve an historical conquest and in some way to the fall of Rome (beginning.) I liked a lot Flavius Aetius, such a supreme commander general with strategy and thoughts. A real strategist using his mind as primary weapon and his influence as power. Attila wasn't wrong about taking conquest after conquest the merit of taking his people, the Huns, to new destiny. That barbarian was an idealist and a warrior, what more?Dialogs in that movie are excellent. Especially all the scenes with Flavius Aetius and Attila. The best between them is when Flavius claims that "the world is ruled by civilized men and not to barbarians".Then Attila responds "the world is owned by those strong enough to conquer it. " Other performances gave a strong adaptation, Honoria was one tasty and hard character. Such a young woman seductive and full of charms giving manipulation after manipulation for control.We all can consider that historical movies are better than faked adaptation from Hollywood.

Dramatic, colorful exploration of ancient power struggle between Romans and the Huns with the emphasis on spectacle, battles and romance, all produced for TV with taste and skill evident in every frame. All the performances are top notch.GERARD BUTLER does an excellent job as Attila the Hun, the arrogant warrior with the intense gaze whose Roman rival is played (with more restraint) by POWERS BOOTHE, who resembles a younger, less craggy John Huston both in voice and demeanor. Butler has full command of his role and surely must be considered a threat to other more famous performers like Mel Gibson and Russell Crowe. He has star quality and it's on full display here.SIMMONE MACKINNON is effective in a dual role as two of the women in his life and REG ROGERS has some scene-stealing moments as Valentinian, the wimpy son of ALICE KRIGE. His final scene with Powers Boothe is a shocker. TIM CURRY has a small role but makes the most of it.Gritty battle scenes seem a little too extended for my taste, but it's hard not to appreciate what's been accomplished through a superior script, firm direction, effective background music and authentic looking cinematography that is as rich and rewarding as anything you might see on the big screen. Has the flavor of a Cecil B. DeMille production and all of the qualities you might expect from such an epic.The length is a factor to consider--perhaps editing would have tightened the whole story structure when compiling it for one video which runs over three hours. But this is a keeper! And it looks especially smashing on DVD!