What Is We Are No Angels About?
The premise of We Are No Angels in 316 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustle of the Roaring Twenties, a gritty world of grease‑stained garages and smoky boxing rings collides with the open‑air optimism of a western town eager to trade horse‑drawn carriages for roaring engines. Raphael McDonald splits his time between a hard‑knocked boxing career and repairing cars in his family’s modest workshop, while his younger brother Angel dreams of turning their modest earnings into something bigger. Their uneasy partnership is fueled by a shared desire to buy a sleek automobile—a symbol of modern freedom that seems just out of reach.
The brothers’ plan hinges on a daring gamble: they intend to stage a bout against a formidable prize fighter, hoping the winnings will finally fund the coveted car. Their scheme drags them far from the familiar clang of tools into the sun‑baked streets of Highfalls, a town where progressives and traditionalists square off in a public race that pits motorcars against horse‑drawn wagons. The contest, more than a simple competition, becomes a vivid tableau of an era caught between old and new.
Along the way they enlist the eccentric Professor Arcangelo, whose inventive mind offers unconventional solutions, and they cross paths with locals who add both color and complication. Willy, a mischievous boy, greets them with a playful, thorn‑pricked handshake, while Evelyn Sutton and her sister Linda welcome the strangers into their family home, introducing a hint of romance and domestic warmth. Their youngest sibling, Polly, flits about, her innocence a contrast to the brothers’ scheming drive.
Set against a backdrop of jazz‑filled nights, dusty storefronts, and the clang of a town preparing for its historic race, the film balances the raw intensity of the boxing world with the quirky charm of small‑town ambitions. The tension between ambition and loyalty, progress and tradition, promises a story that is as much about the characters’ personal stakes as it is about the cultural shift roaring toward the future.
What Happens in We Are No Angels?
The complete story of We Are No Angels, from the first scene to the last, in 682 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
In the United States during the Roaring Twenties, Raphael McDonald, Paul L. Smith, is a hard-edged boxer who fights in matches and also works as a mechanic in a small family workshop. After a bout with Black Bull, a dispute erupts when his brother Angel, Antonio Cantafora, keeps the money Raphael won, a decision that sparks a tense debate: Angel argues the winnings should be reinvested for bigger profits, while Raphael suspects the funds were squandered.
Across the nation, in the western town of Highfalls, a deeper clash unfolds between progressives and conservatives. This feud is framed by the shady figure of Mr. Shark, portrayed with quiet menace by John Ireland, who cloaks his personal interests beneath a veneer of tradition. To settle the quarrel, the town’s mayor announces a race between cars and carriages, a spectacle meant to symbolize the pivot from old to new.
On Angel’s plan, the brothers seek out Professor Arcangelo, Franco Pesce, and head for Highfalls. In the town square Raphael meets Willy, a lively boy who greets him with a playful thorn-punctured handshake, while Angel is drawn to Evelyn Sutton, Evelin Kaye, whose eyes seem to respond to his every move as they walk together. Angel’s shiny new car draws the unwelcome attention of Shark’s men, who smear the vehicle and provoke a brawl. Raphael intervenes, sending the aggressors to the back of a truck, and the two brothers, accompanied by Professor Arcangelo, Willy, Evelyn, Linda Sutton, and Polly, the family’s little girl, head to lunch at Linda’s home.
Linda Sutton, Fiona Florence, hosts their gathering, and the ongoing taunts from Shark’s men mix with the playful mischief of Willy and Polly, who keep Raphael on his toes and often spark bursts of anger in him. Amid the levity, the first sparks of romance flicker between Angel and Evelyn, even as Angel has to duck out to the restroom after another prank on Raphael. The town’s danger grows as Shark’s forces strike again, this time smashing a wagon belonging to Angel’s transport business. In a fierce response, Raphael is drawn into a confrontation that zigzags through golf- and baseball-themed skirmishes, highlighting the unconventional nature of their street-war violence.
Raphael longs to recover the money he believes Angel has hidden away, and his search leads him into a warehouse where he encounters Black Bull in a removing-tensions showdown. The two men clash, but a begrudging respect begins to form as Raphael refuses to allow Angel to dictate financial moves and instead considers returning to town with Black Bull, leaving Angel to confront the consequences. Polly and Willy’s cries reveal that Shark’s men have abducted their pet lamb, a cruel prank that escalates tensions and makes Raphael redouble his resolve to protect his family.
Taking advantage of Raphael’s distraction as he negotiates with several men, Angel seizes the moment to steal the money and uses it to buy land, feeding his growing ambition while the lamb’s distress underscores the damage of their fractured trust. Realizing his brother has slipped away with the fortune, Raphael turns his attention back to the perilous district and faces Black Bull once more in a high-stakes showdown.
The race itself becomes a turning point: with their usual car unable to start, Angel reveals a startling invention from Professor Arcangelo—a hang glider—that allows them to conquer the course in an audacious, almost cinematic ascent. They sail over the track, catching sight of Black Bull, who admires their daring and oddly chooses to divert, seemingly aiding their progress. Landing near a barn, they uncover another vehicle stashed nearby and, leveraging this surprise, they cross the finish line first.
In the aftermath, Angel and Raphael’s simmering feud erupts again as they argue over the newly acquired land and the consequences of their earlier schemes. The two end up beside a well on the purchased property, where their dispute spirals into a raw confrontation. In a final, almost fateful twist, Professor Arcangelo reveals an unexpected discovery of oil beneath the land, closing the chapter with a note of possibility and a hint of new conflicts to come.
We Are No Angels Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Raphael and Angel's money dispute in the workshop” to “Final quarrel and oil discovery”. 13 events name a place, across 13 locations.
- 1
Raphael and Angel's money dispute in the workshop
In the 1920s United States, Raphael the boxer works as a mechanic in their shared workshop while Angel returns with winnings from his meetings with Black Bull. Angel hides the money and argues that true wealth comes from reinvestment, not loose cash. The brothers clash over loyalty and trust as the dispute strains their partnership.
When:1920s, after a boxing match Where:Mechanics workshop
- 2
Highfalls declares a race to settle power clash
In the western town of Highfalls, the mayor’s solution to ongoing disputes is a race between cars and carriages. Shark backs the conservatives, while progressives push for modernization, turning the event into a proxy fight. The brothers become drawn into the spectacle and its politics.
When:early 1920s Where:Highfalls town square
- 3
Plan to fetch Professor Arcangelo and head to Highfalls
Angel persuades Raphael to join a plan to fetch Professor Arcangelo, hoping the inventor will provide tools and leverage. They track down Arcangelo and recruit his contraption, then head toward Highfalls. Along the way they meet Willy, a lively child, and Evelyn, who catches Angel's eye.
When:shortly after Where:On the road to Highfalls
- 4
Arrival and town square confrontation
Upon arriving in Highfalls, Shark's men smear Angel's car, triggering a street skirmish. Raphael orders the attackers to retreat to the back of a truck, and the group heads to Linda Sutton's for a midday meal. The tension of money, loyalty, and the town's divisions remains unresolved.
When:same day Where:Highfalls town
- 5
Angel and Evelyn's first connection; siblings tease
Angel and Evelyn exchange meaningful looks and a growing kiss, while Willy and Polly tease Raphael. The budding romance sits alongside the political and personal rivalries tearing the brothers apart. The pageantry of the town's rival factions presses in from every side.
When:same day Where:Linda Sutton's lunch and nearby streets
- 6
Shark's assault escalates; a violent back-and-forth
Shark's forces attack Angel's transport wagon, trying to cripple his business. Raphael's anger flares as he helps Angel repel the assault, turning the clash into a chaotic contest featuring improvised golf and baseball shots. The brothers' loyalties are tested as violence spikes in the city.
When:later that day Where:City streets
- 7
Raphael finds a banknote during the chaos
During the chaos, Raphael spots a banknote and pockets it, realizing the money is somewhere else. The discovery adds personal stakes to the ongoing money dispute and deepens the brothers' entanglement with Shark and Black Bull. It foreshadows a larger theft that will shape what follows.
When:same day Where:During the fight, near the warehouse
- 8
The swag in the music case
Soon after, Raphael uncovers that the entire stash is hidden inside a music case and keeps it for himself, avoiding immediate confrontation. The discovery further complicates the brothers' trust and hints at the motive behind Angel's earlier deception. The value of the swag tightens the web of competing interests around them.
When:same day Where:Warehouse area
- 9
Raphael vs Black Bull; uneasy respect and return to town
Raphael confronts Black Bull in a warehouse, and their fight ends with mutual respect rather than surrender. He then returns to town with Black Bull by his side, confirming a fragile alliance in the background. The uneasy partnership foreshadows further upheaval in Highfalls.
When:same day Where:Warehouse
- 10
Lamb kidnapped; Polly and Willy reveal the danger
Polly and Willy cry and inform Raphael that Shark's men have kidnapped and cooked their lamb, a cruel prank that underscores the town's brutality. Raphael attacks the aggressors, triggering a fresh brawl that drags in both progressive and conservative factions. The violence deepens the rift and raises the stakes for the brothers.
When:soon after Where:Highfalls streets
Show the other 3 events of We Are No Angels Hide the last 3 events
- 11
Angel steals Raphael's money to invest in land
Taking advantage of a distracted moment during the melee, Angel seizes Raphael's money and uses it to buy land. Raphael realizes the betrayal as the stash vanishes. The rift between the brothers widens, fueling the looming showdown.
When:during the melee Where:Town
- 12
Engine fails; hang glider invention and a dramatic race finish
With the car's engine broken, Professor Arcangelo's hang glider invention is revealed and used to propel the brothers toward the finish line. They land near a barn and uncover a hidden car that helps them win the race against the carriages. The moment marks a triumph of ingenuity over tradition.
When:race day Where:Race course and barn area
- 13
Final quarrel and oil discovery
After the race victory, a final quarrel erupts over land and money, sending the brothers tumbling into a hole near a well on their newly bought property. Professor Arcangelo discovers oil in the well, signaling a new era of wealth and opportunity. The story closes with a sense of potential, despite the personal rifts that remain.
When:post-race Where:Purchased land, near a well
Who Are the Main Characters in We Are No Angels?
10 characters, among them Raphael McDonald (Paul L. Smith), Angel ( Antonio Cantafora ) and Evelyn Sutton (Evelin Kaye): who each one is and the part they play in the story. 9 of them link to the actor’s page.
-
Raphael McDonald (Paul L. Smith)
Played by Paul L. Smith
A brash boxer turned mechanic, Raphael guards the money he wins in fights and navigates a volatile street world. He confronts Angel's manipulation, fights Shark's men, and ultimately faces the consequences of greed and loyalty in Highfalls.
- 🥊 Brash
- 🔧 Mechanic
- 💪 Protective
- A(
Angel ( Antonio Cantafora )
Played by Antonio Cantafora
Clever and cash-driven, Angel convinces Raphael to invest and schemes to seize money for himself. He partners with Arcangelo to exploit opportunities, but his pursuit of wealth fuels distrust and family conflict.
- 🎭 Charismatic
- 🧠 Cunning
- 💰 Risk-taker
- ES
Evelyn Sutton (Evelin Kaye)
Played by Evelin Kaye
A young woman who returns Angel's gaze yet remains at a safe distance as the drama unfolds. She becomes part of the backdrop of romance in the mid-1920s town, hinting at hope amid turmoil.
- 💃 Mysterious
- 💞 Romantic
- 👀 Observant
- W(
Willy (Renato Cesti)
Played by Renato Cestiè
A lively child whose teasing and pranks add chaos to Raphael and Angel's plans. His mischief also foreshadows the consequences of the brothers' choices.
- 🧒 Mischievous
- 🐾 Playful
- 🤝 Family
- P(
Polly (Fausta Avelli)
Played by Fausta Avelli
The little sister who joins Willy in the town's antics, often the catalyst for emotional moments and dramatic misunderstandings. Her cry signals the stakes of the Gamblers' clash.
- 🐑 Innocent
- 🍼 Family
- 😄 Playful
- LS
Linda Sutton (Fiona Florence)
Played by Fiona Florence
Evelyn and Willy's mother, a protective presence in Highfalls who provides a home front amid the town's strife. She hosts meals and keeps the family grounded.
- 👩👧👦 Family matriarch
- 🛡️ Protective
- 🤝 Loyal
- PA
Professor Arcangelo
The inventive mind whose work with hang gliders becomes a key element in the race and the brothers' survival. He plays a quiet but pivotal role in enabling the dramatic escape.
- 🧠 Genius
- 🛠️ Inventor
- 🌀 Eccentric
-
Mr. Shark (John Ireland)
Played by John Ireland
A powerful antagonist who wraps his selfish interests in the language of tradition. His gang and schemes drive much of the town's conflict and violence.
- 💼 Manipulative
- 🗝️ Strategic
- 🐊 Ruthless
-
Black Bill (Woody Strode)
Played by Woody Strode
A formidable enforcer whose menacing presence challenges Raphael and whose alliance with Shark's faction intensifies the town's power struggle.
- 👊 Enforcer
- 🕶️ Menacing
- 🗡️ Violent
- SH
Shark Henchman (Massimo Vanni)
Played by Massimo Vanni
A member of Shark's crew involved in the town's organized fights and street clashes, contributing to the chaos that shapes the climax.
- 🗡️ Henchman
- ⚖️ Loyal
- 💥 Aggressive
Where and When Is We Are No Angels Set?
We Are No Angels is set in Highfalls (1920s United States). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
1920s United States
The story unfolds in the United States during the Roaring Twenties, a period of rapid social change. New technology like cars and inventions reshape daily life, while traditional power structures resist change. The decade's tension fuels the brothers' schemes, the town race, and the political conflict in Highfalls.
Where
Highfalls
Highfalls is a western town in the United States during the 1920s. The town becomes a stage for a clash between modernization and traditional values, highlighted by a race between cars and carriages. Rival factions clash and the town's mood swings between celebration and threat as Shark's men and their opponents push the conflict to the limit.
- 🏙️ Western town
- 🚗 Car culture
- ⚖️ Social conflict
What Are the Themes of We Are No Angels?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Greed & Betrayal, Modernization & Tradition and Family & Loyalty.
-
01
Greed & Betrayal
Money drives the plot as Angel sneaks Raphael's winnings away, only for Raphael to uncover the hidden swag. Angel's manipulation fractures trust between brothers and between allies like Willy and Polly. Greed turns loyalty into conflict, escalating fights and chaos in Highfalls. The finale suggests that greed can destroy family and community alike.
-
02
Modernization & Tradition
The race between cars and carriages embodies the clash between progress and tradition in Highfalls. Angel and Raphael chase profits through new technologies and schemes, while Shark's faction clings to old power. The invention of instruments like the hang glider accelerates the shift, reshaping transport and control in the town. The conflict turns the town into a testbed for change.
-
03
Family & Loyalty
Raphael and Angel's brotherly bond anchors the story, even as betrayal tests their trust. Evelyn's presence and Willy and Polly's care highlight the pull of family amid danger. Moments of camaraderie with Linda and Arcangelo remind viewers that loyalty remains a counterweight to greed. The ending implies that lasting ties may outlast the schemes of power.
What Kind of Film Is We Are No Angels?
Light in tone, with fast pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Fast
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Happy
A rambunctious and fast-paced Western comedy that follows two bickering brothers as they cause chaos in a small town, mixing brawls, pranks, and a high-stakes race with a playful, lighthearted feel.
- playful
- rowdy
- quirky
- adventurous
- mischievous
- brotherly
- sibling rivalry
- get-rich-quick
- small-town conflict
- progress vs tradition
Content notes: kidnapping of an animal.
Quiz
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