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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 brigham young(played flawlessly by screen great charlton heston)and sets out to stop it. along for the ride is james coburn as utley's friend and mentor! the whole thing is great western fun and action packed! so sit back and enjoy this fun and exciteing movie!
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 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
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.
Rating: - NO, SIR, THAT AIN'T HISTORY!!
A movie trailer for "Avenging Angels" claims that what the viewer will see is the "true" story of the Avenging Angel, in this case played by Tom Beringer. 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 Rooster Cogburn and J.B. Books.
True? Not nearly! Or as Brigham Young, himself, would have said, "As false as the hinges of Hell!" No Elder Rigby. Even if this character is supposedly based on Sidney Rigdon the story falls considerably short. Rigdon was no where near Utah at any time in his life having left the Church even before the historic days of Nauvoo.
No Brother Parker. No Brother Pike. No Alpheus Young with murderous intentions against a loving father. No Amanda Young. And no Brother Utley either.
But wait, as a western I loved it. Yes, I give it five stars for entertainment value. But 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.
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