The Avenging Angel [VHS]
starring: Tom Berenger, James Coburn, Fay Masterson, Kevin Tighe, Jeffrey Jones
directed by: Craig R. Baxley
directed by: Craig R. Baxley
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Miles Utley (Tom Berenger) is a guerrilla for God, a gun-wielding member of the Danites, the militia wing of the Mormons during the late 19th century. Once the defensive arm of the besieged church, the Danites (dubbed "the Avenging Angels") are now feared by the Utah congregation and Utley is too good at his job: he's become, one accuser says, "A man who murders in the name of peace." After stopping an assassination attempt on the life of Brigham Young (a quietly authoritative Charlton Heston, whose star presence makes the most of a handful scenes), Utley is quickly hidden away and the details hushed up, but as he pulls at a few loose threads he unravels a conspiracy that shoots to the very top of the church. The twisting plot makes for an engrossing mystery and the locations are never less than gorgeous, but the real hook is that this conspiracy film is inspired by a real but little-known bit of Mormon history. Berenger is a natural as a buckskinned, quick-draw Mormon soldier, holding his own in scenes with grinning Western icon James Coburn as Utley's easygoing but ruthlessly dedicated mentor. As the mystery winds up, the more interesting dimension of Utley's crisis in faith is transformed into showdown heroics, which makes for a rousing old-fashioned conclusion if a disappointing character study. --Sean Axmaker
Miles Utley (Tom Berenger) is a guerrilla for God, a gun-wielding member of the Danites, the militia wing of the Mormons during the late 19th century. Once the defensive arm of the besieged church, the Danites (dubbed "the Avenging Angels") are now feared by the Utah congregation and Utley is too good at his job: he's become, one accuser says, "A man who murders in the name of peace." After stopping an assassination attempt on the life of Brigham Young (a quietly authoritative Charlton Heston, whose star presence makes the most of a handful scenes), Utley is quickly hidden away and the details hushed up, but as he pulls at a few loose threads he unravels a conspiracy that shoots to the very top of the church. The twisting plot makes for an engrossing mystery and the locations are never less than gorgeous, but the real hook is that this conspiracy film is inspired by a real but little-known bit of Mormon history. Berenger is a natural as a buckskinned, quick-draw Mormon soldier, holding his own in scenes with grinning Western icon James Coburn as Utley's easygoing but ruthlessly dedicated mentor. As the mystery winds up, the more interesting dimension of Utley's crisis in faith is transformed into showdown heroics, which makes for a rousing old-fashioned conclusion if a disappointing character study. --Sean Axmaker
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Danites Existed, Good Enlightening Fiction
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 ... Read More
Rating: - a slam-bang adventure about a little know part of western history
tom berenger brings great strenth to this role and this film about a little known sect of the morman faith, the danites,or avenging angels,as they were called. these men were recruited and trained as bodyguards for brigham young and as protecters of the mormans against the pursecuters of their faith.
as miles utley,berenger is great and really draws you into the plot. iseems that to some mr. utley does his job to well and they want him banished,as this is going on he discovers a plot to kill ... Read More
Rating: - MARVELOUS WESTERN "FICTION"
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 ... Read More
Rating: - A real Utley
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.
Rating: - Excellent Movie
I had seen this movie before and tried finding it for my collection. It's an excellent movie and one that I will watch many times more. I hope you give it a chance...it is a learning experience as well. Thank You Amazon.com for being here for a lot of movie buffs and the casual viewer.
- Danites Existed, Good Enlightening FictionThe 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 ... Read More
- a slam-bang adventure about a little know part of western historytom berenger brings great strenth to this role and this film about a little known sect of the morman faith, the danites,or avenging angels,as they were called. these men were recruited and trained as bodyguards for brigham young and as protecters of the mormans against the pursecuters of their faith.
as miles utley,berenger is great and really draws you into the plot. iseems that to some mr. utley does his job to well and they want him banished,as this is going on he discovers a plot to kill ... Read More
- MARVELOUS WESTERN "FICTION"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 ... Read More
- A real UtleyAvenging 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.
- Excellent MovieI had seen this movie before and tried finding it for my collection. It's an excellent movie and one that I will watch many times more. I hope you give it a chance...it is a learning experience as well. Thank You Amazon.com for being here for a lot of movie buffs and the casual viewer.
