The Apostle (1997)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Robert Duvall

Writer (WGA):

Robert Duvall (written by)

Release Date:

30 January 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Lust, Obsession, Revenge... Redemption

Plot:

After his happy life spins out of control, a preacher from Texas changes his name, goes to Louisiana and starts preaching on the radio.

Plot Keywords:

Louisiana | Preacher | Texas | Church | Minister

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 11 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Robert Duvall	...	Euliss 'Sonny' Dewey - The Apostle E.F.
Farrah Fawcett	...	Jessie Dewey
Billy Bob Thornton	...	Troublemaker
June Carter Cash	...	Mrs. 'Momma' Dewey Sr.
Miranda Richardson	...	Toosie
Todd Allen	...	Horace
Brother Paul Bagget	...	Tag Team Preacher #3
Lenore Banks	...	Female Sonny Supporter
John Beasley	...	Brother C. Charles Blackwell
Mary Lynette Braxton	...	Mother Blackwell
Brett Brock	...	Helper
Christopher Canady	...	Sister Johnson's Twin
Christian Canady	...	Sister Johnson's Twin
Elizabeth Chisolm	...	Singer
Brother William Atlas Cole	...	Bayou Man

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and a related scene of violence.

Runtime:

134 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:12 | Australia:PG | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Iceland:L | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #35500)

Filming Locations:

Collin County, Texas, USA

Company:

Butcher's Run Films

Trivia:

Robert Duvall wrote the script in the 1980s and was turned down by many studios before he financed the film himself.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the bulldozer scene (Chapter 30), Troublemaker has stood up after praying. People are scattered around him. The shot changes immediately to where these same people are standing in a defined circle holding hands singing around him for a few seconds, then it reverts back to the first shot where the people are scattered around him. (1:47:02 through 1:47:16).

Quotes:

Sonny: I quit school because I didn't like recess.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Moviemaking in Virginia: Take 3 (2008) (V)

Soundtrack:

What Passes For Love

Courageous Story of Redemption

I will always admire Robert Duvall for all the personal effort he put into making this film. As a church worker who is a moderate/liberal Christian, there are few other movies like it out there. It presents a pastor who is clearly flawed and sinful, as all of us are. However, it also presents someone who simply wants to serve the Lord and help people, whether they are poor, black or prisoners. The filming locations and use of real pastors give the movie an extremely authentic feel. Great music as well! Highly recommended movie with great acting, a story that makes you think and a balanced portrayal of evangelical Christianity.