Attila

Director: Dick Lowry, Emmanuel Itier Dick Lowry

Overview

Attila the Hun, fabled leader of a band of nomadic warriors who fearlessly took on the might of the Roman Empire, has his life story brought to the screen in this two-part miniseries. Attila (Gerard Butler) raised an army from the people of Caspia, and in time created a fighting force so strong that they received an annual tribute from the leaders of Rome as an inducement not to attack. Not all Romans were happy with this situation, and in time it was decided that General Aetius (Powers Boothe), a brave yet unscrupulous leader who attempted to usurp the rule of Empress Placidia (Alice Krige), was the only man who could confront Attila on his own terms. Aetius recognized Attila's skills as a leader, and decided the best way to prevent him from invading Rome was to lead him into an alliance, as Rome and the Huns joined forces against a third nation. But despite their mutual respect, it soon became apparent that only one man could be the undisputed leader in a meeting between Rome and the Huns. Attila also features Tim Curry as Theodosius, Simmone Jade MacKinnon as N'Kara, and Reg Rogers as Valentinian. Attila was first aired on the USA Cable Network on January 30 and 31, 2001.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/05/2002
UPC:	0025192266027
Original Release:	2001
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[stereo, Dolby Digital]
Language:	English
Time:	2:57:00
Sales rank:	19,229

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Gerard Butler	Attila
Powers Boothe	Flavius Aetius
Tim Curry	Theodosius, Leader of Constantinople
Simmone Jade Mackinnon	N'Kara/Ildico
Steven Berkoff	King Rua
Rollo Weeks	Young Attila
Alice Krige	Placidia
Reg Rogers	Valentinian
Liam Cunningham	King Theodoric
Pauline Lynch	Galen the Soothsayer
Tommy Flanagan	Bleda
Andrew Pleavin	Orestes
Jolyon Baker	Mundzak
Sian Phillips	Attila's Grandmother
Kirsty Mitchell	Honoria
Jonathan Hyde	Felix, Placida's Consort
Cheick Kongo	Actor
Poncho Hodges	Actor
Todd Kimsey	Actor
Emmanuel Itier	Actor
Roxanna Bina	Actor
Bill Voorhees	Actor
Trevor Ryan	Actor
Nick Glennie-Smith	Composer

Technical Credits

Emmanuel Itier

Robert Cochran

Caldecott Chubb	Executive Producer
Sean Daniel	Executive Producer
Leslie Hunter	Special Effects
James Jacks	Executive Producer
Michael R. Joyce	Executive Producer
Paul Lichtman	Producer
Dick Lowry	Director
Robertas Urbonas	Producer
Gene Warren	Special Effects
Emmanuel Itier	Director,Screenwriter
David Michael Latt	Producer
Robert Cochran	Screenwriter
Robin Lippin	Casting
Ros Hubbard	Casting
Kenn Michael Fuller	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Director Dick Lowery mangles history in this 2001 TV miniseries in which Attila the Hun becomes Attila the Hunk, fifth century warriors use 12th century war machines, Attila's brother dies 13 years too soon, and Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II (Tim Curry) is still alive four years after his recorded death. However, the battle scenes and horsemanship are thrilling, and some of the acting is above average. In particular, Powers Booth plays Roman general Flavius Aetius -- the power behind the throne of Roman Emperor Valentinian III (Reg Rogers) -- with the right mix of political artifice, soldierly know-how, and fatherly love (for the adopted daughter he must give up for the good of the empire). Alice Krige is good, too, as nincompoop Valentinian's scheming mother, and Steven Berkoff and Liam Cunningham demonstrate that barbarians can think as well as fight. But as Attila, Gerard Butler lacks the gravity and depth of the cunning and ruthless Flagellum Dei, or Scourge of God, as Attila was known. Fault the casting directors, in part, for this failure, for Butler -- who is tall and blue-eyed with a Herculean physique -- bears no resemblance to the historical Attila, who was short and snub-nosed. Another glaring weakness is Lowery's failure to depict language barriers between the Huns and the Romans, and between the Romans and the Visigoths. Everybody speaks a universal lingua franca, with British and American accents. To hold the interest of the audience, the production surrounds Attila and Valentinian with buxom beauties and throws in soothsaying, a magical sword (à la Excalibur), and plenty of throat-slitting and poisoned goblets. No mention is made of what ultimately chased Attila from Rome: plague. Attila is an okay action film, but not much more.