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, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$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

Actress Trish Van Devere and actor Laurence Luckinbill were reunited about a decade or ten years after playing lovers in a 1978 episode of Columbo (1971) entitled "Make Me a Perfect Murder" [See: Columbo: Make Me a Perfect Murder (1978)]. The episode was first broadcast on 25th February 1978.

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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: [threatening] You're going to give us the name, yes?
Senior Assassin: No!
[gets kicked in the face]

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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

An OK change-of-pace for Bronson.

Bronson is rather miscast as a reporter (who still can punch and defeat any opponent), but this is one of his least typical and most solid vehicles from the 80's. It begins with a weird, effectively staged massacre and includes some offbeat elements along with the familiar ones. It's still nothing special, though. It's one of those curiously forgettable films that keep you interested while you're watching them, but leave no lasting impression.