The Apostle (1997)

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

Director:

Robert Duvall

Writer:

Robert Duvall

Stars:

Robert Duvall, Todd Allen, Paul Bagget

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 13 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Todd Allen	...	Horace
Paul Bagget	...	Tag Team Preacher #3 (as Brother Paul Bagget)
Lenore Banks	...	Female Sonny Supporter
John Beasley	...	Brother Blackwell
Mary Lynette Braxton	...	Mother Blackwell
Brett Brock	...	Helper
Christopher Canady	...	Sister Johnson's Twin
Christian Canady	...	Sister Johnson's Twin
June Carter Cash	...	Mrs. Dewey Sr.
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

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.

---

Plot Keywords:

southern gothic | preacher | louisiana | texas | minister | 

---

Taglines:

Lust, Obsession, Revenge... Redemption

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 February 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apostel!

Filming Locations:

Collin County, Texas, USA

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Butcher's Run Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

134 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Farrah Fawcett was offered her choice of the two female leads by Robert Duvall. At first she chose Toosie, but then changed her mind and asked to play the wife. Duvall allowed the switch. After Miranda Richardson was cast as Toosie, Fawcett changed her mind once again, and said she wanted the part back. Duvall told her that she could play the wife or be out of the film. She chose the former.

---

Goofs

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

---

Quotes

Sonny: You're going to Heaven. I'm going to jail and you're going to Heaven.

---

Crazy Credits

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

---

Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Amistad/Titanic/Good Will Hunting/The Apostle (1997)

---

Soundtracks

I Will Not Go Quietly
Written and Performed by Steven Curtis Chapman

User Reviews

Fascinating Character Study

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.