7.2/10
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157 user 99 critic

The Apostle (1997)

PG-13 | | Drama | 20 February 1998 (USA)
After his happy life spins out of control, a preacher from Texas changes his name, goes to Louisiana and starts preaching on the radio.

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 7 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Paul Bagget ...
Tag Team Preacher #3 (as Brother Paul Bagget)
...
Female Sonny Supporter
...
Mary Lynette Braxton ...
Mother Blackwell
...
Helper
Christopher Canady ...
Sister Johnson's Twin
Christian Canady ...
Sister Johnson's Twin
...
Elizabeth Chisolm ...
Singer
William Atlas Cole ...
Bayou Man (as Brother William Atlas Cole)
Frank Collins Jr. ...
Soloist #4 (as Reverend Frank Collins Jr.)
Carl D. Cook ...
Civic Auditorium Preacher (as Prophet Carl D. Cook)
Naomi Craig ...
Scripture Reader
Wayne Dehart ...
Liquor Store Preacher
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Storyline

Eulis 'Sonny' Dewey is a preacher from Texas living a happy life with his beautiful wife Jessie. Suddenly his stable world crumbles: Jessie is having an affair with young minister Horace. Sonny gets enraged and hits Horace with a softball bat, putting him into a coma. After that he leaves town, takes a new name, 'Apostle E.F.' and goes to Louisiana. There he starts to work as a mechanic for local radio station owner Elmo, and Elmo lets him preach on the radio. E.F. starts to preach everywhere: on the radio, on the streets, and with his new friend, Reverend Blackwell he starts a campaign to renovate an old church. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The hardest soul to save was his own. See more »

Genres:

Drama

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and a related scene of violence | See all certifications »

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Details

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Release Date:

20 February 1998 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Le prédicateur  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$40,969, 21 December 1997, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$20,733,485, 14 June 1998
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

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Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The lines of the radio owner, during the scene where Billy Bob Thornton is talked out of bulldozing the church, were improvised. See more »

Goofs

During the last scene, the radio DJ is shown without his glasses, but is wearing them an instant later. See more »

Quotes

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

During the end credits there is a scene showing Sonny (Robert Duvall) preaching to the prisoners during out-of-prison work. See more »

Connections

Featured in If We Picked the Winners (1998) See more »

Soundtracks

I'll Fly Away
Written by Albert E. Brumley (as Alfred E. Brumley)
Performed by The Fountain of the Living Word Church of Dallas, Texas Choir
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User Reviews

 
Fascinating Character Study
30 July 2004 | by See all my reviews

You can't help but being mesmerized by Robert Duvall in the title role. He must of seen a lot of southern preachers as he grew up, because he wrote this as well and the role suited him to a tee.

The supporting cast is fine, with Rick Dial and John Beasley getting kudos for their work, but the movie is first and foremost about The Apostle. If you like Robert Duvall as an actor, you will like this movie. His attention to detail in his roles is well known. He brings quirks and nuances to help flesh out his characters, and this role is no different.

The Apostle is a flawed man who can lift others up, but has trouble lifting himself up. And that contradiction is what gives this movie its flavor. All-in-all, a fine movie.


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