''Angel Unchained'' (also known as ''Hell's Angels Unchained'') is a 1970 American action thriller film directed by

Lee Madden Lee Madden (born Leon Blank, March 6, 1927 – April 9, 2009) was an American film and television director. He is known for directing the biker film, ''Hell's Angels '69'', starring the original Oakland Hell's Angels. His other films include an ...

for American International Pictures and starring Don Stroud as the title character Angel. It was released in the United States on September 2, 1970.Gary A. Smith, ''The American International Pictures Video Guide'', McFarland 2009 p 13

Plot

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

* Don Stroud as Angel * Tyne Daly as Merilee * Luke Askew as Jonathan Tremaine * Larry Bishop as Pilot *

Aldo Ray Aldo Ray (born Aldo Da Re; September 25, 1926 – March 27, 1991) was an American actor of film and television. He began his career as a contract player for Columbia Studios before achieving stardom through his roles in '' The Marrying Kind ...

as Sheriff *

T. Max Graham Neil Graham Moran (September 2, 1941 – October 27, 2011), known professionally as T. Max Graham, was an American actor. He played the owner of the pencil factory in David Lynch's film '' Eraserhead''. Selected filmography * ''Angel Unchai ...

as Magician

Production

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. Filming locations included Phoenix, Arizona, and real-life bikers were recruited for the film. ''Angel Unchained'' marked the film debut of T. Max Graham, who played Magician. Parts of this movie were filmed in Lehi, Arizona

Release

The film had its United States premiere in August 1970, before being theatrically released nationwide on September 2, 1970. Until December 1971, there were still screenings of ''Angel Unchained'' in

Gadsden Gadsden may refer to: Places *Gadsden, Alabama **Gadsden Depot, a United States Army Depot in the city of Gadsden, Alabama *Gadsden, Arizona *Gadsden, Indiana * Gadsden, South Carolina * Gadsden, Tennessee * Gadsden County, Florida * Gadsden Ind ...

, Alabama. A soundtrack recording was released in 1970 on

American International Records American International Records was a record label which was a subsidiary of American International Pictures that was used to release music from their films. It also released recordings from individual artists. Background AIP started their own rec ...

featuring music composed and sung by Randy Sparks.

Reception

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".

References

External links

* * * * {{rotten-tomatoes, angel_unchained 1970 films 1970s action thriller films American action thriller films 1970s English-language films Outlaw biker films American International Pictures films Films directed by Lee Madden 1970s American films