Glory Glory (2000)

User Rating:

4.1/10   

Director:

Paul Matthews

Writer:

Paul Matthews (written by)

Genre:

Action | Western

Tagline:

Those who survive, change the rules.

Plot:

A gang of women wreak vengeance upon the society that failed them. |

Plot Keywords:

Shoot Out | Vigilante | Masked Outlaw | Justice | Tied Up

Cast

Amanda Donohoe	...	Widow
Steven Bauer	...	Jack
Paul Johansson	...	Wes
Gary Busey	...	Sheriff
Chantelle Stander	...	Hannah (as Chantell Stander)
Juliana Venter	...	Ellie
David Dukas	...	Billy
Gideon Emery	...	Sil
Jenna Dover	...	Jane
Julie Hartley	...	April
Candice Argall	...	Becky
Jennifer Steyn	...	Christa
Ana Alexander	...	Marie (as Anna Katerina)
Michelle Bradshaw	...	Sherrie
Cordell McQueen	...	Beard

Also Known As:

Hooded Angels (UK) (MIFED title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and sexuality.

Runtime:

USA:102 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Australia:MA (cable rating) | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Company:

Peakviewing Productions

Quotes:

Hannah: Wes is going to come, and he's going to come here, so let's just end it.
The Widow: That's crazy, Hannah.
Hannah: So leave.
The Widow: You know I can't do that, but I think staying to face something when we can run is pretty stupid.

Great concept, decent story...but which Wild West was this?

Aging Western fans fondly remember the fantasy Wild West of their youth. The cowgirls of early TV and popcorn "B" movie matinée's were perky and assertive, without the preachy feminism that would come later...and they dressed like Barbie dolls at the Rodeo. Those cowgirls were mighty cute, but they never seemed to have much to do...and there weren't enough of them.

Hooded Angels(aka Glory Glory)finally shows cowgirls some respect. The women here actually populate the landscape outside of the saloon. These gals can ride, shoot and aren't afraid of a showdown. Refreshingly, there's not much in the way of self-conscious feminist agonizing and hand-wringing in this script.

I would have enjoyed this would-be-Western a lot more, though, if it didn't seem so surreal. This tale supposedly takes place in the American Old West, but their isn't an authentic ten gallon hat anywhere in sight. It doesn't look like the fun, stylized Old West of early Hollywood or the gritty,unappealing Old West of contemporary Cinema (probably why so few Westerns are made today). Most of the characters have assorted global English accents that don't exactly sound "home on the range". Gary Busey, in a small role, is one of few that sounds reasonably authentic here. These gorgeous gals wear wardrobes that defy description..like the post-apocalypse types in a Mad Max movie. For a fantasy Western without any high-falutin' pretenses, flattering jeans and Western styled shirts would have been a lot easier on the eye and far more appropriate.

The cinematography was average, as was the pacing and action sequences. I hope some intrepid film makers attempt this kind of material again...next time with more affection and understanding of the mythical American Old West. I rated this 6/10.