Though decadent and corrupt, weakened by politics and war,
the Roman Empire remained the greatest power on earth.
Then a new people, the Huns, fierce and independent,
appeared from the east.
An ancient prophecy told of a man who would one day unite the tribes
and challenge Rome for the right to rule the world.
- My arrow fell short! - Aim higher.
The deer outruns it.
Perhaps it's time you had a stronger bow.
We're on Dunnotis' land.
The chase was long. We meant no harm.
We'll send him the antlers as a gift.
Still, we might have been seen.
If Dunnotis complains, we kill him.
Hush, boy. It's foolish for Huns to kill Huns.
How can we conquer the western lands if we fight among our own?
Father spoke of the western lands during the hunt.
He was there once, when he was young.
Did he discover them?
No, no... Others discovered them long ago.
How?
A gadfly.
A warrior was taming a stallion,
and a gadfly bit the stallion so hard, it ran away.
The warrior followed the stallion into the great marsh.
But there's no way past the marsh.
Oh, the horse found a way, and the warrior followed the horse,
- and on the other side... - He found the western lands.
Father says we'll conquer them.
- When the Great King comes. - How will we know when he comes?
The Great King will kneel to no man,
and all men will kneel to him.
He will rule the Hun as one nation,
and hold the sword of the war god in his hand.
And... he'll go to bed when he's told.
Yes, Father.
(Arrow whistles )
No! Attila, stop!
- I want to help! Let me help! - Get under this cart.
You stay in there. Get out of the way.
Father!
Father.
Father...
Get him!
You are Mundzuk's son.
Where is my grandmother?
She is dead. Your father is dead.
That's his reward for hunting on our lands.
I am your master now.
Kneel.
Kneel!
And I might let you live as my slave.
Hyah! Hyah!
What's your name, boy?
Attila, son of Mundzuk.
Don't you recognize me?
I am Rua, your father's brother,
and it's a long time since you've seen me.
- My father's dead. - Yes. Weeks ago.
You've been alone all this time?
You're safe now. Come.
Unless you prefer living alone on the steppes.
(Indistinct chatter)
(Rua ) What are the three sacred animals?
The wolverine, because he never retreats,
the sheba, because she protects her young,
and the horse, because it is sacred to the war god.
- How many layers in a bow? - Two of wood, two of bone.
How long must you heat the bow before you string it?
Until the outer layer sweats.
You've been taught well.
Go to your tent.
He doesn't belong here.
I took my brother's wife and elder son.
Should I leave the younger to die on the steppe?
Yes.
Yes, for Bleda's sake.
He's the elder.
He'll get the larger portion when I die.
There will be trouble between them. I can see it already.
Who's there?
Who are you?
- Who are you? - Attila.
- I am Galen. - What are you?
- A girl. Are you blind? - You look like an old woman.
- I'm no older than you. - Why aren't you with the others?
They're afraid of me.
Why are they afraid of you?
Because I read the stars and the sky and the sun and the moon.
You're a witch.
I had a vision yesterday that he would be born.
- Who? - The Great King.
Stay back. I was born ten years ago.
No.
You were born yesterday, on the steppes.
Ah, yes.
Yesterday, on the steppes.
(Rua ) Some say it takes months to make a bow.
But... it takes 15 years.
It starts when the tree is first planted.
You cut the wood too soon, the bow lacks strength,
too late, it becomes brittle.
King Rua... We found them.
Are these the men that attacked your camp?
(Rua ) They're yours.
You do with them what you will.
- There were more of them. - They were killed. These remain.
- Kneel. - Kneel to a boy?
Submit to me and live.
Attila! Have you spoken to the scouts?
They saw no force of any kind between us and the river.
Good.
IMPERIAL PRISON ROME
You should be used to it by now.
We guards eat the same food.
It's slave food.
Only a slave could get used to it.
Aaargh!
I am Flavius Aetius.
Rome endures.
I will endure.
(Man ) Parthians, Scythians,
Macedonians, Picts, Gauls, Britons, Angles, Franks, Jews, Egyptians.
The list of defeated peoples is endless.
- Why are Huns different? - They simply are, Majesty.
- Wait till they face Roman troops. - They've defeated us before.
From the Eastern Empire. We're made of different stuff.
- We have no troops near the border. - Send them from somewhere else.
Not possible. We're overextended as it is.
Is it serious? The Huns have been a nuisance for decades.
- They've crossed into our territory. - They're isolated raids.
And when they realize how little resistance we can offer, what then?
Placidia, one man might be able to deal with them.
Aetius will not leave prison alive.
He knows their customs, knows their king.
I said no.
(Emperor groaning)
Felix, I know my son is...
immature, but he is learning.
He's emperor now,
and he'll rise to the occasion as other emperors have before him.
There! I did it!
What shall I hit? That vase sitting on the pedestal?
Idiot!
He's ruined my shot!
I'll think about what you said,
but I have to be convinced that the Huns are a serious threat.
(All yelling)
(Woman ) Invaders! Invaders!
(Screaming)
(Baby crying)
(Man ) Go! Get moving!
Wait! Your name?
N'Kara.
You fight bravely.
Put her with the slaves.
Her sword was the bloodiest of all.
If she has kin, spare them as well.
(Keys rattling)
You may leave.
I once swore you'd never leave this prison alive,
but your friends have begged me to be merciful.
In the light of their plea...
(Laughs ) There's only one conceivable reason for you to be here.
- You need me. - Why would I need you?
If I had to guess, I'd say the Huns are on the move,
and you and the rest of Rome are petrified with fear.
There have been reports of a new warlord...
among the southern tribes - Attila. Do you know him?
No, but I know King Rua, and that's what matters.
My son is young. He needs someone to guide his decisions.
You can serve your country instead of your own ambitions,
- if that's possible. - Anything's possible.
What's your price?
First, a full pardon.
You tried to depose me, before my son became of age. That's treason.
Let's call that a misunderstanding.
What else?
Full restoration of my estates,
personal staff, hand-picked by me,
and...
reinstatement to the rank of master of both services.
If I am to deal with the Huns, I must have the supreme command.
- Felix has the supreme command. - Remove him.
- He recommended your release. - I'll thank him.
- You can rot in this cell forever. - And you?
You can find someone else to deal with the Huns.
Warden.
Release him.
He is your new supreme commander.
The guard who brought me my food, what's his name?
Petronius, my lord.
- Father! - Lydia.
Oh, you're really free!
Oh, I was afraid to believe it.
I came to the prison but they wouldn't let me see you.
My God, look at you.
You're a young woman, and a lovely one at that.
The villa's really ours again?
Yes.
And the one in Sicily too.
Tomorrow I'll bring in workers.
It'll be as beautiful as ever.
(Galen ) Come on, move! You wretches, move!
Ha, ha, you're in my lot now!
(Attila ) King Rua,
I bring you tribute from our victory.
(Scoffs ) A victory over farmers?
The people are watching.
You are brothers! Embrace like brothers.
Let us see the treasures that Attila has brought us!
Attila, don't let your brother's envy spoil your victory.
(Attila ) He's right.
It was a village defended by peasants and farmers.
We fight peasants because no one else dare fight us!
Yes. Not even the Romans.
- Rome? That's a different matter. - We are Huns. We fear no one.
True.
But, uh, why wake a sleeping lion?
We were 50 leagues into their territory.
There were no legions, no soldiers. Not one.
Let me take a larger army and go further.
- How much further? - To Rome itself.
What will you do when you get there? Scratch against the walls?
They're wide as wagons,
but they're made of stone, not of wood!
(Roars )
I scared you. Galen scared the great Attila.
- I could have killed you. - What did you bring Galen?
- Nothing. - Attila always brings something.
- You did, didn't you? - Maybe.
Did you have another vision while I was gone?
- Maybe. What did you bring me? - And no more about the god of war?
That vision has been in our tribe since we crossed the great marsh.
After a hard battle, the war god fell asleep.
His sword dropped from his hand.
Whoever finds it will rule the world.
You must believe it, Attila.
Why?
Because when you're in my visions, so is the sword.
A handle of gold and ivory, crowned with rubies.
I won't even rule the tribe.
When my uncle dies, Bleda will be king.
Bleda's not in my visions. You are.
Go away, woman!
Leave me alone.
To think of the red-haired woman.
The whole tribe knows.
A red-haired woman has caught Attila's eye.
A red-haired woman has caught...
(Yells)
Tonight we celebrate the victory of Attila,
the first with Roman spoils.
(All cheer)
Bleda, as the eldest, you take precedence, however.
Choose wisely.
Attila, your raid has brought us many riches,
and I commend you.
Since I did not fight,
I claim nothing of value.
Only...
an animal, unknown in these parts.
A strange creature with piercing eyes and red fur.
(Crowd laughing)
Bring it in.
Later tonight, I may start my own race.
Huns with red hair.
(Crowd laughing)
Attila, what are you doing?
You can't kill Bleda. You can't!
Not in Rua's tent,
but when he comes out, I will be waiting.
No. Your time has not yet come.
This morning I had another vision.
Destiny has chosen you, but only if you bide your time.
I'm tired of your visions!
No! I won't let you.
(Groans )
A woman.
Hey, Galen.
If you fight with Bleda over a woman, the tribe will turn its back on you.
Even if you win, you lose.
Go back to Rua's tent, claim your share of the spoils,
claim the conquered village.
- Am I a farmer, that I need land? - Claim the village.
It was in my vision.
Next!
The horse shied.
You and your horse are one.
His mistake is your mistake.
(Yells)
The beast with red fur.
The toadstool who talks.
Bleda mounts you more often than he does his horse.
It is no choice of mine. I'd sooner die than bed a Hun.
Then why don't you?
My sister and mother.
If I kill myself, Bleda will kill them.
They live because of Attila.
I've seen the way he looks at you, and the way you look at him.
I belong to Bleda.
A Hun doesn't possess a woman until she bears his child.
If you bear Bleda's, Attila won't want you.
And how can I help it?
These seeds. Swallow one every day.
They will keep little Bledas out of your womb.
Attila or Bleda?
Bleda or Attila?
I know who Galen would choose.
We don't even know if the Huns will attack again.
Trust me, they will.
I lived among them when I was young.
How did that happen?
There was a treaty, an exchange of hostages.
They are brave, strong, and far from stupid.
Is it true their women walk around naked?
They crossed the border here above Cologne.
They sacked 20 villages.
As I told Felix, we should send troops to punish them.
And as he told you, we have none to send.
If we pull legions from the west, the Goths will pillage us instead.
The Huns have violated our territory,
and therefore insulted my divine person.
The insult must be avenged.
It was the Huns that drove the Goths against us in the first place.
And split the empire.
That's why I rule the West and Theodosius the East. I know.
Yet your divine brain does not grasp the point.
What we must avoid at all costs is fighting the Huns and Goths at once.
(Girl giggling)
Mmm!
Traitor. I'm your sister. You're supposed to help me.
You wanted to be kissed.
Flavius Aetius.
The divine Honoria.
I hope you're behaving yourself, Aetius.
If you don't, Mummy said she'll throw you right back in jail.
Forever.
Mummy will have her joke.
- Shall we continue, divine one? - We're going to the Forum.
Pritella's daughters will be there.
We'll finish later.
I have to talk with Mummy, anyway. Later, Aetius.
I... command it.
(Honoria giggles )
Goodbye, Mummy.
Where is my son going?
To the Forum.
He needs rest from his intellectual labors.
- But he is progressing? - No.
Nevertheless, whatever steps you take, you will take through him.
After he obtains your approval.
Some things need immediate attention.
Training of troops, stockpiling of supplies.
See to that on your own.
- It would help if I had your seal. - Why?
Three years in prison have destroyed my reputation.
I need proof that I act on your behalf.
The Huns are at our border, Placidia.
We must both forget old hatreds.
(Aetius ) Petronius...
Don't worry. If I wanted you dead, you would be.
(Petronius ) I beg you, forgive my foolishness.
I was not well in the head.
How does your head feel now?
Ready for whatever service you require, my lord.
Good.
I require you to kill someone.
Who is it, my lord?
The Emperor Valentinian.
It's all arranged. You'll be gone before anyone knows.
Ten gold talents now, ten after it's done.
A fortune.
- I'll be a hunted man forever. - No, no, no.
The Emperor's mother herself will protect you.
She's tasted power. She doesn't want to give it up.
Her seal.
She gave it to me for this purpose. Keep it with you.
If you're taken, it'll be your protection.
Tomorrow noon, the Garden of Corona.
Use the south gate.
I'll see that he's alone.
Who are you? What are you doing here?
Halt.
How dare you raise a weapon against the Emperor!
I was walking by. Thought he looked out of place.
Thank God I followed him! What are you doing here?
I had an invitation from Mummy to have a picnic.
See if you can find out who he is.
He carries my mother's seal.
How is that possible?
She invited me here... to be killed.
No. Your own mother?
I should have known!
All this talk of teaching me to be emperor
was just to keep me off guard!
I'll have that bitch boiled alive.
No, no, no. Sire.
- You have no proof. - Her seal!
She'll say it was stolen or she loaned it someone.
She'll have an explanation. Trust me. I know how she works.
Yes.
You've been her victim too, haven't you?
- All those years in prison. - I am not important.
Rome is, and you are Rome.
Act wisely.
- What must I do? - For now, nothing.
When she finds out her scheme has failed, she'll lay low.
We'll take care of her when the time is right.
I put myself in your hands.
Attila, walk with Galen in the woods.
I'm tired.
A short walk with your friend. You won't regret it.
(Attila ) Woman...
Where are you?
Don't be afraid.
I'm not afraid.
Go back.
If my brother misses you, you'll be punished.
I don't care.
Go back.
(Aetius ) Valentinian, tell me what Rome is.
A great city, a great country.
Rome is a fire...
a golden flame of power,
of majesty, beauty, knowledge.
For a thousand years, she has been the light of the world.
Go outside.
Look around you.
The Colosseum, the Senate, Forum, theaters, markets, aqueducts,
that bring water from 100 miles away
so we can live like civilized men instead of animals.
Of course, you're saying that Rome is rich,
and we have to keep it that way.
That's right.
Tomorrow, I'll go to Ravenna and take command of the Third Legion.
It's two weeks' march to the Hun border.
I'll need Senate approval tonight.
- Tonight? They're all asleep. - You are the emperor.
Wake them up.
Yes!
I will enjoy that.
Darling, I haven't seen you all day.
Valentinian?
Thank you. It's proved very useful. I'm finished with it now.
Attila, you still want to go to Rome?
If you're serious, yes.
I'm serious. Then again, perhaps you won't need to go to Rome after all.
I received a message.
It seems that Rome is coming here, tomorrow.
We know of your incursion into our territory.
Officially, I protest. But that's not my true purpose.
Our spies bring word that the Goths plan to move against us.
- Which tribe? - The Visigoths west of the Rhine.
Why not march your legion there?
For your sake, Rua, and the sake of our friendship.
Our spies tell us the Visigoths plan to move against you as well.
They've been paying tribute to us for, uh...
- Ten years. - Ten years.
(Aetius ) And they hate you for it.
Just as they hate us. They'll attack you first to secure their rear,
then us while we sit here quibbling over a few border villages.
He is of your tribe?
The Visigoths tortured him.
My spies saw it.
Knowing the horse is sacred to the Hun,
they carved ten horses into his body with heated knives,
one for each year of tribute.
It took him three days to die!
(Attila ) There should be more blood.
These wounds were made after death. Perhaps not by the Visigoths.
A Roman general has better things to do than mutilate corpses.
You've grown soft.
The Huns I knew would avenge such an insult.
I came to offer an alliance.
I'll march against the Visigoths alone.
Flavius!
We, uh, divide the spoils equally?
Of course.
We'll join you.
(Men laugh)
Make preparations, now!
Who was the outspoken one?
My nephew, Attila.
Attila? I've heard of him.
Yes. He's very ambitious.
Why, the other day, he spoke of invading Rome.
Did he?
I raised him and his brother since they were children.
They hated each other from the first.
There is the source of their latest conflict.
(Aetius ) A slave girl?
(Rua ) Bleda claimed her just to spite Attila.
If they don't fight over her, they'll find some other reason.
Why not put Attila under my command?
You'd have peace for a time, at any rate.
They march well, but can they fight?
I sense you'd rather fight against us than with us.
I've seen much Roman arrogance but little Roman power.
(Man ) Sentries are set, General. The enemy is a league west of the Rhine.
(Aetius ) Wake the camp after the third watch, quietly.
We'll occupy the rise at dawn.
- The Huns will cut off any retreat. - Yes, General.
The dead man in Rua's tent...
The Visigoths had nothing to do with it.
And you handled it very badly.
You should have waited till I was gone,
and you should have seemed puzzled.
"If he were tortured while alive, why isn't there more blood?"
Rua realizes the answer for himself and is more likely to believe it.
Trickery and deceit...
That's the way of the Romans, not of the Huns.
Which way rules the world?
A Frankish tribe must have joined the Visigoths overnight.
- We've just seen their standards. - How many?
Their numbers have doubled.
- Everything is ready? - Yes, Father.
- They have the high ground. - Yes.
But have they realized yet what they're up against?
At the first trumpet, the center falls back, feigns a retreat.
The second, they turn and fight.
The third, the Huns attack the enemy flank.
Yes, General.
Take the message to Attila. He attacks at the third trumpet.
Yes, General.
Prepare for the charge.
(All shouting)
Sound the first trumpet.
(Trumpets blaring)
They're retreating.
Roman cowards.
No. It's a trick.
Sound the second trumpet.
(Trumpets blaring)
(All yelling)
The courier was killed.
- His body was found a furlong away. - Send another.
I did. But he won't get there in time.
He'll expect us to attack the flank.
He sent no orders.
Attack on my signal.
Go! Go!
(All yelling)
With a few more like him, Rome could conquer the world all over again.
Theodoric.
It's been a long time, Flavius Aetius.
But the same result - a Roman victory.
- Your terms? - A third of your men sold as slaves,
2,000lbs of gold, one half your fall harvest.
Do you mean to starve us?
Would you prefer my legions burn the entire harvest?
You would never dare without the Huns at your back.
Do you accept the terms, or shall hostilities continue?
I accept the terms.
Aetius. The girl is well?
I told you before.
Lydia is no concern of yours and never will be.