Wuchak 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-

si4abetterworld The mighty Roman Empire was the largest and most technologically advanced empire ever known, an empire which had existed for hundreds of years, and for much of that time had dominated the Mediterranean Sea, and the 3 continents of Europe, Africa and the Middle East which surrounded that sea. The Roman Empire had grown and grown, and seemed unstoppable.The Huns were a nomadic "barbarian" people, seemingly no great threat to the Roman Empire. And yet a Hun named "Attila" rose to lead his people to successfully invade the Roman Empire - a major factor in the downfall of that empire. This is the story of that man, and is based on real historical events.

Gloryous I read all the reviews of this movie Attila, and decided after seeing Timeline that I needed to see this one as well. I was not disappointed in any way. It is as the critics said it was, spectacular, battle scenes like in Braveheart, and the story so rich and entertaining. The sets made you feel you were truly in Rome. The scenery was colorful and lovely. Seeing the two brothers face off in a battle to be king was awesome when I realized both actors did their own stunts. It was a fierce scene and one I will not easily forget. I have never seen such an actor as Gerard Butler portray this complex character of Attila as he has. He is so gorgeously handsome, I could hardly take my eyes off him. He was so phenomenal in the role. All of the characters brought to the screen just a fabulous movie. I give it 10 stars. Great movie, plenty of action, and romance.

Jessica Carvalho ''Attila'' is one of the epic movies I like the most. I only don't give a higher vote for this movie, because I found that the story, after N'Kara's death, became quite boring and without the same climax as before. Not to mention that Ildico being identical to N'Kara, and poisoning Atilla doesn't help to make the story excellent for me. Atilla never was a king as well. I like to see,anyway, Gerard Butler in one of his best roles, and I need to say that I never saw him so handsome in all my life! The long wavy black hair and the skin tanned really suited him well!The story of this movie is basically concentrated in Atilla's life, showing some important things that were happening in Roman Empire at the same time Atilla was becoming one of the best Hun's warriors. We have inaccuracies and factual errors, but even so, a good epic is always welcome!