Customer Reviews

The Avenging Angel [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of those stories that is fiction but with just enough historical fact thrown in to either make it interesting and entertaining or infuriating. Kind of like "Hogan's Heroes".

The story is set in Utah of the 1870's with the Mormon theology as it's backdrop. It's has as accurate fact that Brigham Young (played excellently by Charleton Heston) was president and prophet of the Church, Porter Rockwell (also played well by James Coburn) was a roguish gunfighter/protector of the faith, that the culture was relatively closed, paranoia existed (for good reason, the Mormon Church up to that time was severely persecuted, including it's first president murdered), and Utah is a pretty place. The fiction in the movie is the Tom Berrenger character, the conspiracy against Brigham Young by church leaders and a few other notable historic errors throughout.

That said, the movie is well done and interesting. The Tom Berrenger character is complex, trying to justify his gunfighting actions with his beliefs. He is a man driven by his faith and it's refreshing to see a strong Western character with that motivation (instead of the more typical genre motivation of revenge) and Berrenger plays it well.

The other parts of the movie plot are fairly standard: gunfights, horseplay, ropin', good guy overcoming the odds and numerous hired guns, etc. Yet I found the setting to be interesting and the movie to be enjoyable.

If not taken on it's historical merits, then it's a film to be recommended.

Whether or not this movie was based on fact or fiction, or both, it was very well done, very intense, with an excellent cast, and for those of us who believe in God, it is a movie well worth spending the money and time on to watch it, many times over. I only regret that it has not yet been released on a DVD, as that would make it even that much more enjoyable! DVD's are fantastic, and usually have so much extra information added to them, that they are worth investing in!

Most of the other reviewers have gotten it right when they talked about this being a fictional story. The characters in this story though do act according to what they were known. The head of the conspiracy to kill Brigham Young is a thinly veiled Sidney Ridgon. The first women to take a shot at him was Ann E Young, Brigham's 19th wife who divorced him and wrote a famous expose on him a year before he died, Bill Hickman who was another of Brigham's Danites, who was known to drink a lot, and later turned in evidence showing Brigham's part in several killings and lastly James Young, the Prophet's favorite son who was arrested while on a mission and had to be bailed out by Daddy and also was known for his wildness. The story itself is fictional, Sidney never made any attempts on Brighams life, but did try to take control of the Church shortly after Joseph Smiths death. The main character is also fictional. You can tell that the screenwriter has done a lot of research into Mormonism before writing this because you see a lot of little details added like people shaking hands doing the First Token of the Aaronic Priesthood. This isn't a great film say like Lonesome Dove, but it is interesting.

A movie trailer for THE AVENGING ANGEL claims that what the viewer will see is the "true" story of the Avenging Angel, in this case played by Tom Berenger. Let's face it folks, if this is a "true" story from the American West based on historical facts then we need to all go searching for the grave sites of Shane, Conagher and J.B. Books!

True? Not nearly! Or as Brigham Young, himself, would have said, "As false as the hinges of Hell!" There was no Elder Rigby. Even if this character is supposedly based on Sidney Rigdon the story falls considerably short. Rigdon was nowhere near Utah at any time in his life having left the Church even before its historic days in Nauvoo, Illinous.

So, let's see. No Brother Parker, either. No Brother Pike. No gun-packing scorned former wife of Brigham Young coming back from the East with assassins in tow. No Alpheus Young, the fabricated son of the fabricated gun-slinging ex-wife, with murderous intentions against a loving though supposedly negligent father. No Amanda Young. And, despite what some might claim, no Brother Utley either.

But wait, as a western I loved it. Yes, I give it five stars for entertainment value. Berenger is fabulous as the gunfighting avenger who's faster than the devil himself and Charlton Heston portrays Brother Brigham wonderfully. James Coburn brings a smile in his portrayal of Porter Rockwell, the historical Mormon "outlaw" who is supposed to have killed more men than John Wesley Hardin. A marvelous western--though patently fictitious.

And don't watch it hoping to look into the cold, dark, historical secrets of Mormon Danism. Want a more accurate film about the Latter-day Saints and their early history? Pass on this one. Try "Brigham Young" with Dean Jagger.

THE HORSEMAN

The story begins in 1872, and as the movie unfurls, we are given a scene in the Tabernacle where the first assasination attempt on the Prophet Brigham Young is attempted. This part is fiction just like the lead character Miles Utley. However, the movie's fiction does not minimize the interesting insight it give into a pioneer culture of survivors who braved all odds to create a Zion in the Rockies. As entertainment, this movie will surprise you with twists and turns. and there's a bonus; Brigham Young is portrayed excellently by the late and great Charlton Heston, and he puts on a performance that is first-rate. I enjoyed the movie immensely and so will all who watch it. Avening Angel looks at life in the late 19th Century as lived by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the harsh climate of Utah where they made the desert bloom for posterity.
I'm glad the Mormons succeeded, and this movie is terrific even if it is layered with fiction.

This movie, along with "Rough Riders", is another fine example of Tom Berenger's (& TNT's) talent for taking a historical setting, fictionalizing it (in a realistic way), putting in some subtle social/political commentary (disguised in a historical setting, kind of like the way science-fiction writers do it), & adding entertaining elements (in this case, rousing action sequences & romance to boot!) to make a story that both entertains & educates at the same time.

Most people who wouldn't be able to sit through a history class would, at the same time, enjoy movies like this. (I'm a history buff, but my friends aren't. However, when I had them over for a "movie-night" get together at my house, they really got into the conspiracy murder plot & they loved the action sequences & love story, as well as seeing Coburn & Heston in their roles as real-life historical figures.)

Berenger, as producer & star, knows how to choose a thoughtful subject for a film. This movie, in a historical context, is really about religious faith & the different levels of belief. His character, Miles Utley, is devoted to the Mormon church, which is both his strength AND his weakness, since he kills an innocent man at the beginning, in the name of God. As the film progresses, he uncovers a plot to murder Brigham Young (Charlton Heston, the former "Moses" from "The Ten Commandments!") by subordinates who wish to take over the church, in order to "save" it, according to their own beliefs & purposes.

With today's events & headlines concerning both "The War on Terror" & the Catholic Church abuse scandals (and cover up), this movie's theme is especially poignant today.

Historical dramas serve the same purpose as science-fiction stories. They make the audience think about current issues without preaching. The best ones also manage to entertain the audience in the process. "Avenging Angel" succeeds on all counts. It's a western, a mystery, a thriller, a love story, & an action-drama all rolled into one! It's "a thinking man's" action movie.

Besides purchasing this movie, I also suggest checking out the previously mentioned "Rough Riders", as well as "Buffalo Soldiers", "The Broken Chain", "Geronimo", "Wallace", & "Andersonville" (all from TNT), "The Tuskegee Airmen" & "In Pursuit of Honor" (both from HBO), as well as "Son of The Morning Star" (aired on ABC during it's initial run.) All of these shows prove that tv isn't just "mindless entertainment", as some pompous critics have claimed.

History isn't about dates & cold facts (the way most history classes are taught in high-school.) I agree with most people, in that history taught in that manner is boring! History is about people & the human condition. That's what "Avenging Angel" is about.

Avenging Angel is based on a book written by Gary L. Stewart about the life of his Great-Grandfather Gabriel Marion Utley. The movie is both fact and fiction. But well worth watching. The movie's discription of Miles' life and the real life of Gabriel's life are very similar.

You might not be interested in the trek of the Mormons to Utah back in the 1870's but this TV movie is fun & exciting. Tom Berenger holds his own well with the likes of Charlton Heston & James Coburn. Heston plays Brigham Young, the prophet Miles Utley (Berenger) has been trained from youth to protect. Coburn is one of the 'trainers'. So grab a seat, settle into a nice western & enjoy this film that'll keep you guessin' till the end.

Thank you for such an expedient shipment. The VHS was as stated. We have not watched it yet. My husband wanted it for his collection as he did stunts in it. Thank you. I really wanted a dvd of this movie. somenone really needs to make one.

While the movie itself is fictional, most historical movies are. The true facts in history are commonly left out or are adulterated to the point of total absurdity. To prove my point, all one has to do is to look at the plight of the American Indian. But I digress, the movie Avenging Angel, is a well done movie. The stars do a great job of portraying characters of immense importance to American history.

The movie is full of excitement and adventure. It tells of a people being persecuted and harmed relentlessly because of their religion.

The Avenging Angel is historically accurate in that, it shows the cowardice of leaders within the LDS church. There were indeed threats and acts of brutality perpetrated against the church members and their sympathizers.

The Avenging Angel was a protege of Porter Rockwell in the movie but the character that Tom Beringer plays was built around the real Porter Rockwell. The Avenging Angel was actually called the Destroying Angel and it was Rockwell.

The Danites did exist within the Church but Joseph Smith demanded they cease and desist their vigilante practices. However, there was a group of men who secretly carried out defensive actions from time to time.

So all in all the movie was indeed historically accurate. Sure some of the characters were totally fictional or perhaps it was a case of, "the names were changed to protect the innocent". Even the character in the movie that plotted to kill the Prophet was real, just his name was changed because there was never any direct proof that he was involved. He was murdered/killed vengefully and Brigham had him buried without pursuing his killer(s).

I would recommend this movie to anyone who was looking for a good western styled movie. I bought it new and have since wished many times that it would soon come to DVD.