Atilla (1954)

Set in 450 A.D., a Roman general (Henri Vidal) attempts to make a treaty with the Huns, a horde of barbarians sweeping toward Rome. The two brothers who lead the Huns differ on peace with Rome. Bleda (Ettore Manni) wants the peace while Atilla (Anthony Quinn) prefers to sack Rome. Atilla will stop at nothing to fulfill his destiny including fratricide. This early example of peplum was directed by Pietro Francisci, who four years later would direct Steve Reeves in HERCULES which would start the peplum era right through to the 1960s. The film was a big hit outside the U.S. market. However, the same year this was released, a far better film using a similar plot line, Douglas Sirk's SIGN OF THE PAGAN with Jack Palance as Attila was released in the U.S. While not one of Sirk's best, it's a far more accomplished film. This effort attempts to mix sword and sandal action with the Christianity of biblical movies and the movie even ends with a cross in the sky and a heavenly choir! In addition to Quinn, the overqualified cast includes Sophia Loren, Irene Papas, Christian Marquand, Eduardo Ciannelli and Claude Laydu (DIARY OF A COUNTRY PRIEST).