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-

My name is Laura and I am a Gerard Butler Addict! Yes people I admit it - have been for years and I have to say this is one of my personal favourites, although it wasn't till i became a fan that i found out it existed! And its not just because of the torso! Gerard is fantastic (had i not been a fan i would have said that anyway!) he goes head first into every battle making you root for the Huns and not really caring if they come and destroy your village! And on the flip side you wanna be the one ripping his clothes off (did you see that torso??) and shouting 'Nooooooo!' at the telly when he gets murdered at the end!I had heard of Powers Boothe before seeing 'Attila' but had never seen anything he'd done but i was pleasantly surprised! That man looks kinda scary when he wants too! The plot line does run a bit thin in places but you can forgive them that - theirs plenty of other things to keep you going. The fight scenes are fantastic in places though you wish they weren't as long because they tend to drag.All in all, i totally enjoyed this one - its got bits for everyone - fantastic looking fella (love him!), you got the pretty lady for the boys, you got Romans, you got big fight scenes, its got the rocky horror God himself in it (Tim Curry), its got a big bath and it has Powers Boothe pulling menacing faces! What more could you want???

The factual errors in this movie are quite simply astounding. It's shameful. Shame shame shame. Great acting at times, especially from Boothe, but the screenplay is appalling.1. Attila and the Huns were Turkic, not Caucasian. Contemporaries descriptions of him painted him as a Mongol. Flat nose etc. Genghis Khan traced his lineage to the Huns. 2. He and Flavius Aetius were both hostage exchanges as children. Attila spent time as a child in Rome, the same time Flavius was with the Huns. That could have made for an interesting film.3. Attila jointly ruled with his older brother (who I believe was from the same father? Ruga was both mens uncle) for a fair while, building the empire together, before he allegedly killed him and ruled solo.4. Aetius and Attila became friends when Aetius spent a brief exile with the Huns. Why leave that out?5. this is what wikipedia says about Honoria's situation and the dowry etc:"However Valentinian's sister Honoria, in order to escape her forced betrothal to a senator, had sent the Hunnish king a plea for help—and her ring—in the spring of 450. Though Honoria may not have intended a proposal of marriage, Attila chose to interpret her message as such; he accepted, asking for half of the western Empire as dowry. When Valentinian discovered the plan, only the influence of his mother Galla Placidia convinced him to exile, rather than kill, Honoria; he also wrote to Attila strenuously denying the legitimacy of the supposed marriage proposal. Attila, not convinced, sent an embassy to Ravenna to proclaim that Honoria was innocent, that the proposal had been legitimate, and that he would come to claim what was rightfully his."more truth is found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attila_the_HunI wish Hollywood would learn that truth is more interesting than finding fabled swords and screwing around with what actually happened. This is a lame film with bad dialogue, terrible motivations for the protagonists (I'm just starting to build my empire" puhleeeeez!!!), and zero credibility. What a shame. So much potential yet again wasted.

Wow! This is the kind of epic tale that I love to see. The film was brilliantly cast with some of the best actors I've ever seen, including Gerard Butler, Powers Boothe, Simmone McKinnon, Steven Berkoff, Tim Curry, and Tommy Flanagan. All were sensational. In all honesty, I thought I might have to fast forward through some boring Roman scenes, but I was on the edge of my seat throughout. Even the battle scenes were excellent, and I'm not a huge fan of battle scenes. This film combined all the best elements of story-telling: romance, intrigue, betrayal, etc. The behind-the-scenes featurettes were also very interesting, particularly the director and cast interviews and the making-of interviews. Have to agree with the director: "If there was ever a star-making role and a guy with the potential to become a star, Gerry Butler and Attila are it."