Angel_Unchained Knowpia

Angel Unchained
Angel Unchained
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Lee Madden
Screenplay by	Jeffrey Alan Fiskin
Produced by	American International Pictures
Starring	Don Stroud; Luke Askew; Larry Bishop; Tyne Daly; Aldo Ray
Cinematography	Irving Lippman
Edited by	Fred R. Feitshans Jr.
Music by	Randy Sparks
Distributed by	American International Pictures
Release date	September 2, 1970;
Running time	86 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Angel Unchained (also known as Hell's Angels Unchained) is a 1970 American action thriller film directed by Lee Madden for American International Pictures and starring Don Stroud as the title character Angel. It was released in the United States on September 2, 1970.^[1]

Plot edit

Following a biker brawl involving the Exiles MC (Nomad Chapter), their leader, Angel (Don Stroud) quits in pursuit of a new life. He meets Merilee (Tyne Daly), who was harassed by local men who despise hippies. She introduces him to her commune and their leader, Jonathan Tremaine, who is running from the anti-hippie townsfolk. Angel is quick to fall in love with Merilee, but the commune is under regular harassment. When the situation becomes too tough to handle, Angel is forced to ask the Exiles MC to help out the hippies.

Cast edit

Don Stroud as Angel
Tyne Daly as Merilee
Luke Askew as Jonathan Tremaine
Larry Bishop as Pilot
Aldo Ray as Sheriff
T. Max Graham as Magician

Production edit

Also known as Hell's Angels Unchained, Angel Unchained was directed by Lee Madden, written by Jeffrey Alan Fiskin, and produced by American International Pictures.^[2] Filming locations included Phoenix, Arizona, and members of the real-life Dirty Dozen MC were recruited for the film.^[3] Angel Unchained marked the film debut of T. Max Graham, who played Magician.^[4] Parts of this movie were filmed in Lehi, Arizona

Release edit

The film had its United States premiere in August 1970,^[5] before being theatrically released nationwide on September 2, 1970.^[6] Until December 1971, there were still screenings of Angel Unchained in Gadsden, Alabama.^[7] A soundtrack recording was released in 1970 on American International Records featuring music composed and sung by Randy Sparks.

Reception edit

A reviewer of The Nevada Daily Mail considered the film to be an unsuccessful attempt to combine elements of both The Wild Angels and Easy Rider. Although offering that the film was not quite meaningful, he found it to be a "fair motorcycle picture".^[8]

References edit

^ Gary A. Smith, The American International Pictures Video Guide, McFarland 2009 p 13
^ Irv Slifkin (January 2004). VideoHound's Groovy Movies: Far-out Films of the Psychedelic Era. Visible Ink Press. pp. 254–255. ISBN 978-1-57859-155-8.
^ Hillis, Aaron (August 7, 2008). "Interview: Larry Bishop on "Hell Ride"". IFC. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
^ Trussell, Robert (October 28, 2011). "Popular local actor T. Max Graham dies". The Kansas City Star.
^ McKninnon, George (August 27, 1970). "'Angel Unchained' opens at Center". Boston Globe. pp. 43–.
^ ""Unchained" Due Citywide Today". Los Angeles Times. September 2, 1970. pp. H14–.
^ "[Advertisements]". Gadsden Times. December 6, 1971. pp. 6–.
^ "Movie Reviews". The Nevada Daily Mail. May 26, 1971. pp. 29–.