Name: Retro Film Review: The Avenging Angel (1995)
Item: The Avenging Angel
Rating: 40
Author: @drax

(source: tmdb.org)

(NOTE: The capsule version of this review is available here.)

Thanks to Hollywood, many people around the world tend to know more about American history than history of their own countries. Yet, in the history of USA there are some wide gaps not covered by American filmmakers. One of such gaps is fascinating history of 19th Century Mormons. In 1995 Turner Pictures tried to fill this gap by The Avenging Angel, television western directed by Craig W. Baixley.

The film, based on the novel by Gary Stewart, begins with the prologue set in 1840s USA. Members of Church of Latter Day Saints, better known as Mormons, are persecuted because of their unconventional religious beliefs and practices, including polygamy. After the murder of their founder Joseph Smith surviving Mormons, led by Brigham Young (played by Charlton Heston), took long and perilous journey to the wilderness of American West. In Utah they found their promised land and founded theocratic state. "Danites" or "Avenging Angels" was a combination of Mormon militia and death squads, set up to prevent non-Mormons from settling in Utah and US government from establishing its sovereignty. In 1872 political situation has changed and Mormon leaders are deliberating becoming part of USA. Miles Utley (played by Tom Berenger), the most efficient of "Danites", prevents assassination attempt on Young. His investigation into conspiracy reveals terrible truth - the danger to Mormons comes not from outside, but from within. Because of that Utley becomes renegade and must use all of his skills to clear his name and protect Mormon leader.

There are many reasons why Mormon history wasn't covered by American film industry. First, history of Mormon persecution is against the image of USA as a country built on religious tolerance. Second, Mormon religious beliefs and practices are too controversial for most of Judeo-Christian audiences. Finally, today's Mormons are viewed as some of the most conservative elements of American society and as such represent complete antithesis of America as portrayed by Hollywood. Because of that, The Avenging Angel is going to be quite interesting to many people, and in many ways somewhat sympathetic portrayal of Mormons is quite surprising. Unfortunately, many elements of Mormon history are condensed into 93 minutes of standard television format. To make things even worse, the conspiracy plot is weak and quite predictable.

Those flaws are partially compensated by good casting. Tom Berenger (who was one of the producers) obviously likes obscure chapters of American history (at least judging by his role in Another Man's Hero) and his interest reflects in solid performance. His efforts are aided by veterans like Heston and Coburn, but young Daniel Quinn overacts in almost laughable role of villain. On the other hand, locations are beautiful and former stuntman Craig W. Baixley knows how to direct action scenes. Unfortunately, those scenes, although spectacular, take away time necessary to give some more depth to the film. Because of that, The Avenging Angel looks like a film that should have been much better and as such could be recommended only to those who like movies dealing with obscure pages of history. RATING: 4/10 (+)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on November 12th 2002)