a5c7b9f00b A romanced story of Attila the Hun, from when he lost his parents in childhood until his death. Attila is discloseda great leader, strategist and lover and the movie shows his respect to the great Roman strategist Flavius Aetius, his loves and passions, the gossips, intrigues and betrayals in Rome, all of these feelings evolved by magic and mysticism. During the waning days of Roman Empire, the barbarian Huns are making their way toward Europe. A warrior named Attila violently assumes Hun leadership and unites the warring clans under his banner. But this is not enough for him, Attila seeks to form an empire, and he sees Rome, bristling under the leadership of the incompetent Caesar Valentinian , ripe for the picking. In an attempt to quell a Hun invasion, ambitious Roman General Flavius Aetius attempts to form an alliance with Attila against their mutual enemy, Visigoth King Theodoric. But this plan backfires, and it soon becomes clear that a violent showdown between all three armies awaits. Presumably the writer of this mini-series had to read the history of Attila and Aetius before he could change it into the pap presented. You would think it would have been easier to leavewritten, and certainly more interesting.<br/><br/>Just to give one example. After the battle and the death of the Roman ally King Theodoric, this movie has Theordoric&#39;s son insisting of leaving immediately to fight his brothers for the throne, and thus depriving the Roman general Aetius of the strength to decisively destroy Attila. Thus a mildly interesting and fairly predictable plotfarit goes. The historical reality is that Aetius advised the son to leave to take care of his brothershe was insisting on revenging his father against Attila. Aetius preferred not to destroy the Hunshis and Rome&#39;s whole strategy at that time had been to play groups suchthe Huns off against other barbarian tribes that had entered or threatened the Empire. To my mind a more interesting development.<br/><br/>Of course it might have taken slightly more effort to get this idea across to viewers but the effort would have been a far more memorial series which the poor sets and acting could never achieve. While I can understand budget limitations that make good sets and hordes of extras difficult I cannot understand the almost perverse need to change history even when the original is much more interesting.<br/><br/>An amusing watch just the same but disappointing that for the cost of another writer it could not have been so much better. After witnessing the destruction of his village and the death of his father, Attila successfully escapes with his life and is picked up by his uncle, who is king of a group of Huns. Attila grows up to be a strong warrior who has his mind set on invading and, consequently, taking over Rome. The deceitful Roman General Flavius Aetius goes to Attila&#39;s village to seek help from the Huns and suggests to Attila&#39;s uncle that Attila is to be taken to Rome with Aetius when the battle is over. Aetius is impressed with Attila and takes him under his wing. But when Bleda, Attila&#39;s brother, murders their uncle, Attila returns to his village and fights his brother for the throne, and then sets his sights on Rome.<br/><br/>This movie was really enjoyable, although some of the acting was rather stilted. The top actors were Powers BootheFlavius Aetius, the excellent Scotsman Gerard Butler in the role of Attila the Hun and, although not having very much to do in the film, only in it for 2 scenes, was Tim Curry who is,always, terrific and amusing.<br/><br/>This is not a film full of gore, but it survives without it. The action scenes are good and liven the film up a bit but it does not have an excess of gore like other historical battle films.<br/><br/>Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended. 8/10 from me! As always, your faithful Scotsman, Cat §quire
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