Jesse V. Johnson is one of the best directors working in the action genre today. I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it. He’s at his best as a storyteller when the story he’s trying to tell is smaller, more personal. This was most evident in his 2017 film The Beautiful Ones, the story of a shylock falling in love with the wrong woman during a mafia turf war. It wasn’t about slick and stylish action scenes, but instead character-driven, and any action contained in the film was born from the situations these characters ended up in. The action was imperative to move the story forward. Hell Hath No Fury, Johnson’s latest action masterpiece, falls into the exact same category as the aforementioned picture.
Support this awesome writer — your donation goes directly to them!
Buy me a coffee
Marie DuJardin (Nina Bergman) is a French national who has been labeled a traitor by her country. She’s rescued by a small band of American soldiers led by Major Maitland (Louis Mandylor). They will keep her alive, only if she leads them to a cache of gold buried in a cemetery. There is Nazi gold buried by a former lover Von Bruckner (Daniel Bernhardt). The French resistance, the Nazis, and the Americans are all on the hunt in the same location. It will only be a matter of time before they all clash in a bloody battle for the riches.
This film belongs to Nina Bergman, who is an absolute powerhouse in the character of Marie. She’s an incredibly strong character, brought to life in a very unique way. When the film opens, it appears as if Marie is the victim. Appearances can certainly be deceiving, and I never had the sense that she was one. This character is very calculating and always plotting. There’s a power to Marie that slowly comes full circle as the story progresses. Daniel Bernhardt, best known for his roles in many martial art films, shows off his acting abilities as the character of Von Bruckner allows him to show range. Just as impressive are Louis Mandylor, Timothy V. Murphy, and Dominique Vandenberg. Johnson has collaborated before with many of the key players and really understands the talent.
RELATED: Only A Ninja: Sam Firstenberg Discusses His Cannon Films Legacy
Much like The Beautiful Ones, the story drives the action and not vice versa. While not necessarily a true story, Hell Hath No Fury was inspired by the women of World War II who committed heroic acts. It’s a fitting tribute to those inspirational ladies while still maintaining excitement and entertainment. It’s a simple story driven by complex characters, loaded with brutal action.
Hell Hath No Fury is currently available On Demand and on Blu-ray and DVD December 21, 2021, from Well Go USA.
