Messenger of Death (1988)

A Denver reporter investigates the mass murder of a family of Mormons in rural Colorado.

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Rex Burns (novel), Paul Jarrico (screenplay)

Stars:

Charles Bronson, Trish Van Devere, Laurence Luckinbill

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Bronson	...	Garret Smith
Trish Van Devere	...	Jastra Watson
Laurence Luckinbill	...	Homer Foxx
Daniel Benzali	...	Chief Barney Doyle
Marilyn Hassett	...	Josephine Fabrizio
Charles Dierkop	...	Orville Beecham
Jeff Corey	...	Willis Beecham
John Ireland	...	Zenas Beecham
Penny Peyser	...	Trudy Pike
Gene Davis	...	Junior Assassin
John Solari	...	Senior Assassin
Jon Cedar	...	Saul
Tom Everett	...	Wiley
Duncan Gamble	...	Lieutenant Scully
Bert Williams	...	Sheriff Yates

Storyline

Wifes and children of the Mormon Orville Beecham become victims of a massacre in his own house. The police believes the crime had a religious motive. Orville doesn't give any comment on the case, is taken into protective custody. Journalist Smith persuades him to help him in the investigation - and finds out about economic motives for the murder.

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Plot Keywords:

mormon | murder of family | based on novel | murder of a pregnant woman | shooting a pregnant woman | 

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Taglines:

What the cops can't do, he will.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Avenging Angels

Filming Locations:

Running Springs, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,035,279, 18 September 1988

Gross USA:

$3,074,681

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,074,681

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Cannon Group, Golan-Globus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 86 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of two cinema movies starring actor Charles Bronson that also featured actor Gene Davis. The pictures are 10 to Midnight (1983) and "Messenger of Death" (aka "Avenging Angels") [See: Messenger of Death (1988)]. Both films were directed by director J. Lee Thompson and in both movies Davis portrayed a killer.

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Goofs

During the car chase, Smith's car is on the inside of one of the tankers on the first corner out of the tunnel, but in the next shot it's back in the middle of both tankers.

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Quotes

Garret Smith: [punching the assassin] Bastard child killer!

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Alternate Versions

Almost 5 minutes were cut in Finland for VHS distribution. Later released on DVD as uncut.

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Connections

Referenced in Best of the Worst: Our VHS Collection (2019)

User Reviews

Decent film....but it's not really a "Mormon" feud

The film has Charles Bronson in its favor, and is fairly well-made. It'a a little unbelievable, but fans of the genre or Bronson should enjoy it. Basically, Charles Bronson is an investigative reporter who investigates the slaying of a man's family, originally under the impression that the slaying was due to religious differences. One thing of minor note...it's not really a feud between different Mormon sects. The LDS Church has banned polygamy, in accordance with federal law, and excommunicates members who practice it. I suppose some might say that all the break-off groups(like the RLDS, FLDS and polygamist clans) can be considered part of a Mormon Religious Umbrella....but that would be kind of like saying members of the Russian Orthodox Church are really Catholic.