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:

psychotronic film | vietnam war veteran | bikersploitation | outlaw biker | biker | 

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Taglines:

Cycle-Psychos vs. Cops!

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Genres:

Action

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Certificate:

Approved

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

Some versions of the film do not feature a scene of Smiley signing and playing guitar at Ginger's house.

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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

Average biker flick.

Tom Stern ("Hell's Angels '69") stars as Mike, a Vietnam veteran who returns home determined to form his own biker gang and stick it to the man. He assumes control of his former cronies, who were better behaved before he came along. He wants to make his gang all-powerful, and their antics lead to fairly predictable results.

Overall, as directed by Bruce Kessler ("The Gay Deceivers"), "Angels from Hell", which gets a special 'story consultant' credit for famed Angel Sonny Barger, is typical for the genre, with decent action and a cast full of tough guys and sassy, sexy ladies. The music score is most groovy, with a priceless theme song to boot. Perhaps most interesting is that the movie isn't quite as anti-establishment as other entries in this genre, at least in its even handed portrayal of lawman Bingham (played by the late, great actor / director Jack Starrett).

The swaggering Stern does alright in the central role. Among the supporting players are Ted Markland ("Fighting Mad") as Smiley, the enticing Arlene Martel ("Zoltan: Hound of Dracula") as the independent-minded Ginger, Paul Bertoya ("Hot Rods to Hell") as the unstable Norman, Jimmy Murphy ("Mister Roberts") as Tiny Tim, and, in his film debut, wrestler Pepper Martin, famous for his role in "Superman II".

The ending fails to be all that satisfactory, but it does have a feeling of somber inevitability as Mike tries to make the case that the law should protect those of his kind as well as the average citizen. The end credits give the performers an appreciated "curtain call", and the movie does entertain if never really catch fire.

Seven out of 10.

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