Angels from Hell (1968)

A destructive ex-motorcycle gang leader comes home from Vietnam to resume his life. His desire to form a powerful gang has the police running scared. But, will he succeed...

Director:

Bruce Kessler

Writer:

Jerome Wish (screenplay) (as Jerry Wish)

Stars:

Tom Stern, Ted Markland, Jack Starrett

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Stern	...	Mike
Ted Markland	...	Smiley
Jack Starrett	...	Bingham
Arlene Martel	...	Ginger
Paul Bertoya	...	Nutty Norman
Jimmy Murphy	...	Tiny Tim
Sandra Bettin	...	(as Saundra Gayle)
Bob Harris	...	Baney
Luana Talltree	...	Angry Annie
Suzy Walters	...	Saundra Gayle (as Susanne Walters)
Rod Wilmoth
Steve Oliver	...	Speed
Pepper Martin	...	Dennis
Jay S. York	...	George (as Jay York)
Susanne Sidney	...	Buff (as Ginger Snapp)

Storyline

Mike (Tom Stern), an ex-motorcycle club president from the baddest gang in Riverside, California, returns home a hero after serving in Vietnam. Unable to find his former gang there, he follows a lead and finds Smiley (Ted Markland) and the rest in Bakersfield, California hole up at Ginger's (Arlene Martel) house. Under the watchful eye of Sheriff Bingham (Jack Starrett), who had an "understanding" with the previous president, Mike finds himself up against crooked cops under Bingham's watch. In defiance, he uses his war-hero experience to organize a new, united super outlaw gang. When one member beaten up and killed by police, an all-out cop vs. biker war results.

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Plot Keywords:

biker | violence | vietnam veteran | small town | sheriff | 

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Taglines:

The Story That Tells It Like It Is!

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Genres:

Action

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 June 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Engel der Hölle

Filming Locations:

Bakersfield, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP),Fanfare Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Rush was originally asked to direct this film, but turned said offer down. Rush recommended Bruce Kessler to direct this movie instead.

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Quotes

Mike: Well, uh, I suppose your other leaders made you a lot of nutty promises. Yeah, like a beer in every hand, or uh, some pot for every cot, well I'm not gonna make you any promises. I am gonna lay some jazz on your mind boy. I'm gonna put some things down about the wild things I have in store for this club.

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Alternate Versions

Speed's death scene is cut from broadcast and home video versions of the film. After the joint is planted on Speed by the two police officers, he manages to escape on his bike, only to be chased down and killed when the officers cause him to crash. Part of the scene is featured in the film's trailer.

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Connections

Featured in Psycho's Sister: Making 'The Name of the Game Is Kill' (2013)

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Soundtracks

Mr. Madison Avenue
Written and Performed by The Lollipop Shoppe

User Reviews

Angels From Hell-A Tom Stern Masterpiece

Tom Stern plays a Viet-Nam veteran who comes home with the dream of forming the most powerful biker gang around. His "wild bunch" consists of such immortals as Smiley, Nutty Norman, Tiny Tim, and Angry Annie. Turns out most of the cast are real bikers and their performances steal the show from the real actors.

Stern however reminds one of a young Nick Adams or Steve McQueen. He doesn't overplay his role; just giving it the sharp edge it needs to be realistic. His anger is a product of his war experiences and his frustrations are those of a man who is powerless to control the events happening around him. For a "minor" film, Stern does an outstanding job. It makes you wonder why this talented actor/director never made it to super-stardom.