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Angels Revenge
Angels Revenge
Angels Revenge
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Angels Revenge
One-sheet for Angels Brigade
Directed byGreydon Clark
Written byGreydon Clark
Alvin L. Fast
Produced byGreydon Clark
StarringSylvia Anderson
Lieu Chinh
Jacqueline Cole
Liza Greer
Robin Greer
Susan Kiger
Peter Lawford
Jack Palance
Jim Backus
CinematographyDean Cundey
Music byGerald Lee
Distributed byArista Films
Release date
  • February 1979 (1979-02)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Angels Revenge, or Angels Brigade, is a 1979 American action comedy film.[1] It was directed by Greydon Clark and distributed by Arista Films. The film is also known as Angels' Brigade and Seven from Heaven.

The film has major roles for Peter Lawford and Jack Palance as the leaders of a drug cartel, and gives minor roles to character actors Jim Backus, Alan Hale Jr., Pat Buttram, and Arthur Godfrey (playing himself). Of the actresses who played the film's seven female protagonists, however, the closest any had previously come to any degree of fame was Susan Kiger, who had been the Playboy Playmate of the Month for January 1977. Kiger played singer Michelle Wilson; her co-stars were Sylvia Anderson as stuntwoman Terry Grant, Lieu Chinh as martial arts instructor Keiko Umaro, Jacqueline Cole as high-school teacher April, Noela Velasco as model Maria, and Robin Greer as policewoman Elaine Brenner. Her younger sister Liza Greer plays high-school student Trish, who invites herself into the team. Jack Palance played chief antagonist Mike Farrell, assistant to Lawford's kingpin character.

The film's plot focuses on seven female vigilantes who decide to undermine the operation of a drug cartel. The titular "revenge" is a reference to one of the vigilantes being primarily motivated by her desire to avenge her hospitalized brother, a drug user.

Plot

[edit]

The film focuses on seven women who decide to fight the local drug cartel after the brother of Michelle Wilson, a Las Vegas pop singer, is found severely beaten. When taken to the hospital, the young man is discovered to have been using illegal drugs. The singer meets with April, her brother's teacher, and the two hatch a plan to destroy the local drug processing plant.

They recruit four more women with special skills and connections to help them achieve their audacious goal. As they plan their first strike, they discover high-schooler Trish spying on them. The student is relegated to phone duty but eventually worms her way into their escapades. The "Angels" not only destroy the processing plant but also manage to intercept one of the shipments. As a result, the women attract unwelcome attention from the local drug cartel.

Cast

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

The film was poorly received by both critics and the general public, being seen as a cheap knockoff of Charlie's Angels.[2] The plot was seen as contrived. It also had a number of actors, primarily Lawford and Palance, whose popularity had fallen since the 1960s.[3][4]

Mystery Science Theater 3000

[edit]

Because of the poor response, the film faded into obscurity until 1995 when it was featured on the movie-mocking television series Mystery Science Theater 3000. It was edited to fit their timeslot; for example, Miller (Neville Brand) is listed in the opening credits, but only mentioned towards the end, never actually appearing on screen.

The episode featuring the film was the final episode broadcast on Comedy Central, when it aired as a rerun on December 30, 1996.

RiffTrax

[edit]

In 2017, former MST3K writers and cast members Bridget Nelson and Mary Jo Pehl riffed the uncut film as a video-on-demand for RiffTrax.[5]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Angels Revenge

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Angels' Revenge (also known as Angels' Brigade) is a 1979 American film directed and produced by Greydon Clark. The movie follows a Las Vegas pop singer whose brother is severely beaten by drug dealers after becoming addicted to their supply, prompting her to assemble a team of skilled women to dismantle the local . The central character, Michelle Wilson, played by , recruits a diverse group of women with specialized skills to form the vigilante squad. Armed with a customized high-tech van, the women target the operations of ruthless kingpins portrayed by as and as Burke, culminating in a raid on the cartel's fortified drug factory. Released in February 1979, with a runtime of 97 minutes and a PG rating, the low-budget production (estimated at $300,000) was distributed by Arista Films and drew inspiration from the television series , expanding the concept to seven female protagonists. Critically panned for its simplistic plot, wooden , and production flaws, it holds a 2.3/10 rating on and 0% audience score on , but gained cult status through its 1995 riffing on .

Film Content

Plot

In Angels' Revenge, the story centers on Michelle Wilson, a singer whose brother Bobby is hospitalized after being beaten by drug dealers due to his . Motivated by this personal tragedy, Michelle joins forces with April Thomas, a teacher distressed by the growing number of students succumbing to drugs in her community. Together, they assemble group of seven women, each bringing specialized skills to combat the local : stuntwoman Terry Grant, who modifies their operations vehicle; expert Kako Umaro; Elaine Brenner; model Maria; student Trish. The women's shared drive stems from individual losses tied to the cartel's operations, fueling their quest for revenge against the narcotics trade. The group begins by stealing firearms from a right-wing , using Maria's allure and Terry's expertise to infiltrate the armory successfully. Elaine coordinates with her police supervisor, providing blueprints for explosives to target the cartel's drug processing plant. Equipped with a customized van transformed into a high-tech , the vigilantes launch their initial raid on the heavily guarded facility, overcoming guards and detonating charges to destroy the operation. Their success escalates tensions, as they subsequently intercept a major drug shipment, drawing fierce retaliation from cartel leaders, including enforcer . As the cartel strikes back, the women evade ambushes and counterattacks, leveraging their collective abilities in increasingly intense skirmishes. The narrative culminates in a climactic confrontation at the cartel's coastal hideout, where the vigilantes disrupt a drug drop-off and dismantle the remaining leadership in a bid to end the threat permanently.

Cast

The principal cast of Angels' Revenge (also known as Angels' Brigade) features a group of seven women forming a vigilante team, each bringing unique skills to combat a , alongside notable supporting performers. portrays Michelle Wilson, a Las Vegas lounge singer who leads the group, motivated by her brother's entanglement with and subsequent severe beating by cartel members. Jacqulin Cole plays April Thomas, a high school teacher who initiates the team's formation after witnessing the impact of drugs on her students. stars as Terry Grant, a stuntwoman whose physical expertise aids the group's action-oriented missions. Robin Greer depicts Elaine Brenner, a policewoman who contributes tactical knowledge and insights to the vigilantes. Liza Greer appears as Trish, a high school student who joins to support the effort despite her youth. Lieu Chinh (also credited as ) embodies Kako Umaro, a instructor whose combat skills provide the team with essential fighting capabilities. Noela Velasco portrays Maria, a model whose allure aids in infiltration missions. In supporting roles, plays Burke, the leader of the drug cartel. portrays Mike Farrell, Burke's ruthless enforcer. is cast as Commander Lindsey March, a police ally who assists the women's efforts. portrays Miller, the head of a right-wing that the team confronts early on. The film includes brief cameos by Alan Hale Jr. as Manny, a minor associate; as the van salesman who equips the group; and as himself.

Production

Development

Greydon Clark initiated the development of Angels Revenge in 1978, serving as director, co-writer, and producer on the low-budget action comedy, which drew inspiration from the female ensemble dynamics of the television series Charlie's Angels. The project emerged as a response to the success of Clark's prior film Hi-Riders (1978), with distributor Laurence Woolner suggesting a story featuring a group of women combating a criminal syndicate to capitalize on the era's interest in empowered female protagonists. The screenplay was co-written by and Alvin L. Fast, blending themes of female and with exploitative elements like action set pieces and lighthearted comedy to appeal to drive-in audiences. During scripting, alternate titles such as Angels' and Seven from Heaven were considered before settling on Angels for its re-release version, reflecting the film's evolving structure and marketing focus. Arista Films acted as the primary financier and distributor, supporting Clark's vision for a quick-turnaround production in line with the independent film's modest ambitions. The total estimated budget was $300,000, a significant portion—approximately one-third—devoted to securing name actors like and to elevate the project's commercial viability despite its constrained resources. In planning, Clark assembled key crew, including cinematographer , known for his work on efficient low-budget shoots.

Filming

for Angels' Revenge (also known as Angels' Brigade) took place in 1978, commencing on October 2 and spanning several weeks primarily in . The production captured urban scenes in to depict city environments, utilized desert-like areas around Agoura for the militia confrontation sequences, and filmed coastal sites in Malibu for the climactic drug shipment intercept. Key locations included Paramount Ranch at 2813 Cornell Road in Agoura for action training and western town setups, in Malibu for beachside action, and at 1925 Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas for additional outdoor shots. The technical crew featured Dean Cundey, who shot the film on 35mm to achieve a polished look despite constraints. Practical effects were employed for explosions and action sequences, relying on on-site and vehicle stunts to maintain momentum in the low-budget environment. A customized van served as the central prop, purchased in-story from a dealer and modified during production into the group's battle vehicle, complete with reinforced panels and mounted weaponry for chase scenes. The production faced challenges from its modest $300,000 budget, with one-third allocated to actor salaries, necessitating improvised stunts and resourcefulness in action choreography. Cameo appearances by veterans like as the van salesman and Alan Hale Jr. as Manny were brief and scheduled tightly around their availability, adding star power without extending shoot times. Director Greydon Clark's experience in low-budget filmmaking influenced these adaptations, ensuring completion within the tight timeline.

Release

Theatrical Release

Angels Revenge premiered in theaters across the in February 1979. The 97-minute film was distributed by Arista Films for a aimed at mainstream theaters. Marketing efforts positioned the film as a female-led action thriller with strong exploitation appeal, capitalizing on the popularity of ensemble female vigilante stories like . Promotional posters highlighted the seven women protagonists in dynamic action poses alongside their armored van, emphasizing themes of vengeance and empowerment to attract drive-in and crowds. The film was originally titled Seven from Heaven (visible on the title card), released theatrically as Angels' Brigade in the U.S., and later re-released as Angels' Revenge with structural changes including a reordered sequence of events; alternate titles including Seven from Heaven have been used in various markets. The low-budget production resulted in a limited theatrical run, with no screenings at major film festivals.

Home Media

Following its limited theatrical run, Angels Revenge became available on home video starting in the early 1980s through various labels, including a pre-certification PAL VHS release in the United Kingdom by Hokushin Video, which distributed the film under its alternate title Angels Brigade. These early VHS editions were typically low-budget transfers in standard definition, reflecting the film's exploitation roots and limited commercial appeal at the time. By the late 1990s, the film gained renewed visibility via a Mystery Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) VHS release in July 1998 by Rhino Entertainment, packaged as part of the show's episode 622. The film's first dedicated DVD release arrived in 2013 from Scorpion Releasing under the Kat Skratch Cinema imprint, bundled with related titles like Seven from Heaven in a budget collection emphasizing its cult and grindhouse status. This edition preserved the original 97-minute runtime in an uncut format, including scenes edited out of the MST3K version, such as extended action sequences in the drug lab assault. The MST3K episode itself appeared on DVD in 2003 as part of Rhino's The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection: Volume 2, a four-disc set also featuring Cave Dwellers, Pod People, and shorts. As of November 2025, Angels Revenge streams for free with advertisements on , making it accessible to a broad audience without subscription costs. As of November 2025, no digital purchase or rental options are available on in the United States. A 2017 video-on-demand edition, featuring commentary by Bridget Nelson and , further boosted its cult following through platforms like the official site and . No major 4K or high-definition remaster has been produced, with all home media releases remaining in standard definition sourced from original 35mm elements; a 2018 Multicom Entertainment Group catalog listed potential 4K/HD/SD formats, but no such upgraded version has materialized in distribution.

Reception

Critical Response

Upon its 1979 release, Angels' Revenge (also known as Angels' Brigade) was met with dismissive critical response, often labeled a low-budget exploitation film and a derivative imitation of the television series Charlie's Angels, with complaints centering on amateurish acting, formulaic plotting, and threadbare production quality. The film's limited theatrical distribution contributed to its immediate obscurity, as evidenced by the absence of reported box office figures in industry records from the era. Retrospective assessments have reinforced this negative view, with the film earning a 2.3 out of 10 rating on from 2,192 user votes and an audience score of 0% on (as of November 2025). Reviewers have highlighted its unintentional comedic elements and low-rent B-movie appeal, while decrying persistent issues like illogical plot holes, overreliance on celebrity cameos from aging television personalities such as and , and dated sexist portrayals of its female protagonists. One critic summed it up as "laughable for all the wrong reasons." Notably, the film marks an early credit for cinematographer , whose competent visual work provides occasional flashes of polish amid the otherwise shoddy execution, foreshadowing his later acclaimed contributions to films like Halloween (1978) and The Thing (1982). Its cult following has been amplified by later comedic treatments on and , which underscore its flaws through parody.

Mystery Science Theater 3000

Mystery Science Theater 3000 featured Angels' Revenge (also known as Angels Brigade) as the featured film in season 6, episode 22 (production number 622), which originally aired on March 11, 1995, on . A rerun of this episode on December 30, 1996, marked the final broadcast of the series on the network before its move to the Sci Fi Channel. Hosted by Mike Nelson alongside the robots , , and Gypsy, the episode follows the show's signature format where the human host and 'bots provide comedic commentary—known as "riffs"—on the film's visuals and audio from within a fictional theater aboard the . The riffing in this episode emphasizes satirical mockery of the film's low-budget action sequences, stilted dialogue, and celebrity cameos, highlighting its derivative nature as a knockoff. For instance, the hosts poke fun at the prominent role of the group's customized van, with lines like Servo quipping about its impractical design during chase scenes, and they lampoon the over-the-top explosions with remarks tying them to 1970s exploitation tropes. Additional humor targets guest stars such as and , with Crow delivering jabs at their wooden performances amid the film's vigilante plot. The episode's comedic style also incorporates era-specific pop culture references, such as comparisons to films, enhancing the parody of the movie's dated sensibilities. Production-wise, the episode was edited down to approximately 90 minutes to fit the broadcast slot, with cuts to extended training montages and some drug-related scenes to streamline the runtime. It is notable for its host segment-heavy structure, featuring five original sketches that parody elements of the film's narrative, including a blaxploitation-style script written by Crow and a segment where the Mads pose as 1970s TV pitchers. This was the first episode to credit Bill Corbett as a contributing writer, adding to its behind-the-scenes significance. The episode has been commercially released on home video, initially as part of Rhino Home Video's The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection: Volume 2 in February 2003, and later in Shout! Factory's MST3K: Volume II set in May 2016. The treatment of Angels' Revenge contributed to the obscure film's enduring appeal within the show's dedicated fanbase, often cited in fan polls and discussions as a strong example of mid-1990s riffing that amplified its campy charm. Its selection aligned with the series' focus on critically maligned B-movies, helping to preserve and elevate such titles through humorous reinterpretation.

RiffTrax

RiffTrax released its presentation of Angels' Revenge on April 7, 2017, as a video-on-demand product available for digital purchase and streaming. The riffing was performed by Bridget Nelson and Mary Jo Pehl, both former cast members of Mystery Science Theater 3000, whose involvement brought a familiar comedic style to the commentary. The audio track provides ironic commentary on the film's purported feminist undertones, particularly the vigilante group of women portrayed in empowering yet exploitative roles, while highlighting absurd action sequences like van chases and poking fun at celebrity cameos by actors such as Jack Palance and Alan Hale Jr. from Gilligan's Island. The riffs emphasize the cheesy 1970s aesthetics, including feathered hairstyles, bikinis, and slapstick crime drama elements, creating a nostalgic layer of humor for the era's low-budget filmmaking. Available as a downloadable MP4 video in multiple quality options ranging from low to high definition, the presentation includes optional closed captions and runs approximately 95 minutes, aligning with the original film's 97-minute runtime. Users can access it directly through the website or compatible apps, with an additional option for audio-only "Just the Jokes" listening. Reception among fans was positive, with the release earning a 4.7 out of 5 rating on the RiffMeter based on over 150 votes, praised for its nostalgic ties to and for sparking renewed interest in the obscure 1979 film. On , the riffed version holds a 6.5 out of 10 rating from user reviews, noting its effective humor in lampooning the movie's dated tropes.

Legacy

Angels' Revenge developed a cult following largely due to its inclusion in the sixth season of Mystery Science Theater 3000 as episode 622, aired in 1995, which exposed the film to a wider audience through comedic riffing and led to ongoing online discussions and fan edits on platforms dedicated to B-movies. The film's notoriety was further amplified by its 2017 digital release by RiffTrax, the project founded by former MST3K cast members, solidifying its status in retrospectives on 1970s exploitation cinema. As an exemplar of late-1970s exploitation films, Angels' Revenge blended vigilante action with female-led ensembles, echoing the era's trends in narratives while emphasizing campy and low-budget thrills; it marked an early credited cinematography role for , who later achieved acclaim for his work on major productions like Jurassic Park (1993). Often critiqued as a derivative of Charlie's Angels, the film contributed to the genre's mix of action and female agency, though within the constraints of exploitative tropes. The movie's obscurity stems from its lack of significant performance upon release, with a modest $300,000 budget failing to yield notable returns, compounded by limited and sporadic home media availability, primarily through MST3K DVD collections and recent streaming on services like . It has seen occasional revivals at genre film festivals and retro screenings, such as double bills, keeping it alive in niche cinematic circles. In contemporary viewings, Angels' Revenge is appreciated for its camp value, with exaggerated action sequences and disco-era production design providing ironic entertainment, while 2020s analyses highlight its portrayal of roles, critiquing the of female characters despite their vengeful premise.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078778/
  2. https://www.allmovie.com/movie/angels-brigade-am41705
  3. https://tubitv.com/movies/518718/angels-revenge
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzWL3ImsVFQ
  5. https://mst3k.fandom.com/wiki/Angels_Revenge_%28film%29
  6. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078778/fullcredits/
  7. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/angels_brigade
  8. http://www.smitheeawards.com/film_details.cfm?Film_ID=133
  9. https://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=249691
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078778/alternateversions/
  11. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/AngelsRevenge
  12. https://bandsaboutmovies.com/2024/06/12/junesploitation-angels-brigade-1979/
  13. http://romansreviews.blogspot.com/2013/07/angels-revenge-1979-mst3k-review.html
  14. https://www.nanarland.com/interviews/entretiens/fr/greydon-clark.html
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078778/trivia
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  17. https://www.mondo-digital.com/angelsbrigade.html
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078778/trivia/
  19. https://bmoviecast.com/podcasts/episode-456-angels-revenge-aka-angels-brigade-or-seven-from-heaven/
  20. http://www.impawards.com/1979/angels_brigade.html
  21. https://www.ebay.com/itm/326816616446
  22. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313862150391
  23. https://mst3k.fandom.com/wiki/MST3K_622_-_Angels_Revenge
  24. https://www.melonfarmers.co.uk/hitsa_an.htm
  25. https://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Science-Theater-3000-Collection/dp/B000087EYI
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  28. https://www.multicom.tv/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/MulticomENTGroupCATALOG_FINAL.pdf
  29. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/1979/
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0776501/
  31. https://www.mst3kinfo.com/?p=2970
  32. https://www.rifftrax.com/mst3k-angels-revenge
  33. https://shoutfactory.com/products/mst3k-volume-ii
  34. https://forums.mst3k.com/t/622-angels-revenge-1979/23137
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14295874/
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  37. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2374623815627789
  38. https://www.kinoafisha.info/en/movies/8358820/
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