The worst thing about TNT's "Avenging Angel" is that a lot of people out there are going to think it is historical drama.
Hysterical drama, maybe.But historical? No way.
Based on Gary Stewart's novel, "Avenging Angel" (Sunday, 6, 8 and 10 p.m.) throws in enough genuine history to lend it an air of authenticity. But it's merely a veneer.
"Avenging Angel" is full of historical characters. Charlton Heston, whose onscreen appearances are brief, plays Brigham Young. James Coburn plays Porter Rockwell.
But the cable movie's main character, Miles Utley (Tom Berenger, who is also a co-producer) is purely fictional. A proud man, Miles is one of the Danites, sworn to protect the LDS Church at all cost.
And, as portrayed here, that cost is pretty high. "Avenging Angel" is an exceedingly violent television movie, with an extremely high body count.
Not that the movie is anti-Mormon. It actually does make the point that the early Mormons were the victims of considerable persecution.
But a muddled plot - a plot that's remarkably dull for all the violent action - is full of conspiracies and cartoon-character evildoers that overwhelm any sense of reality.
Miles' inconsistency is perhaps the most telling aspect of "Avenging Angel." On the one hand, Miles is a devoted follower of Brigham Young. A deeply religious man who's shown on his knees in prayer.
On the other hand, Miles is having an affair with one of Young's daughters. This fundamental inconsistency is not addressed - apparently going unnoticed.
The movie looks great, with a fabulous recreation of early Salt Lake City and great sets and costumes.
But it's not a great movie. It's not even a good one.
And it will undoubtedly leave a lot of viewers with the mistaken impression that this is history.
QUOTABLE? Berenger, talking to the Washington Post about the fact that his character is having an affair with Brigham Young's daughter:
"I talked to one of the (church) elders, and they weren't overly concerned about that," Berenger said. "In the Mormon church you're really not supposed to have sex until you marry, but they're not as fussy about sexuality as you would think."
Say, what???
FUNNIEST VIDEO: Among those vying for $10,000 prize on this week's "America's Funniest Home Videos" (Sunday, 6 p.m., Ch. 4) are Salt Lakers Janie and Paul Shupe, who have a particularly embarrassing clip of their friend Paula Pulver trying to parasail on Bear Lake.