Attila - Miniseries (2001)

As the Roman Empire became weaker in the fifth century AD, a powerful military leader appeared on the eastern plains of Mongolia. Even his name is fearsome - Attila the Hun! Leading a vast army of horseback-riding warriors, Attila invaded the empire repeatedly, and it is his attack on the Romans and their allies in present-day France that is retold in the colorful television miniseries "Attila." Taking the scattered history of the era as a starting point, the miniseries delves into the prophecies, the politics and the brutality of the times. The program proved a springboard for actor Gerard Butler, whose work as the Mongol leader led to a starring role in the sword-and-sandal movie epic 300.