The Apostle (1997)

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:

Christian Film | Directed By Star | Car Accident | Murder | Religion

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 | 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 (I)' 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:

Elmo: It's a pay before you pray deal.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Journey of 'The Apostle' (1998) (V)

Soundtrack:

Eunice Waltz

Shakespeare would have borrowed this storyline

This film kept me thinking for days afterwards. A highly emotionally charged film, The Apostle is essentially a one-man tour de force for Duvall with an ensemble supporting cast. Duvall's performance was so convincing that had he performed this role live I'm sure he would have moved the whole audience to tears.

I resisted seeing this film at first expecting that it would be the usual tired, antireligious stereotype that late twentieth century script writers revel in. But The Apostle does not blindly follow any stereotypes. The premise is plausible and the realistic character portrayals give the viewer the feeling that they are right there in the story. This is a riveting tragic tale of a very flawed man who has the gift of inspiring others to better and greater things. Had Shakespeare been around today, he would have borrowed this storyline, but I doubt he could have done a better job.

It is a cautionary tale for anyone in a position of leadership. Somehow, despite the tragedy framing this story, I found it very uplifting. If you like a film with a message that prompts you to think, then see this movie.