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IMDbPro

The Apostle

  • 19971997
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
14K
YOUR RATING
Robert Duvall in The Apostle (1997)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:16
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama
After his happy life spins out of control, a preacher from Texas changes his name, goes to Louisiana and starts preaching on the radio.After his happy life spins out of control, a preacher from Texas changes his name, goes to Louisiana and starts preaching on the radio.After his happy life spins out of control, a preacher from Texas changes his name, goes to Louisiana and starts preaching on the radio.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
14K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Duvall
  • Writer
    • Robert Duvall
  • Stars
    • Robert Duvall
    • Todd Allen
    • Paul Bagget
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Duvall
  • Writer
    • Robert Duvall
  • Stars
    • Robert Duvall
    • Todd Allen
    • Paul Bagget
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 167User reviews
    • 82Critic reviews
    • 83Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 13 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Apostle
    Trailer 2:16
    The Apostle

    Photos109

    1 sheet movie poster
    Robert Duvall and Farrah Fawcett in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Bob Thornton in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Bob Thornton in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Bob Thornton in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Bob Thornton in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Bob Thornton in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Bob Thornton in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Bob Thornton in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, and Billy Bob Thornton in The Apostle (1997)
    Robert Duvall, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Bob Thornton, and Steve White in The Apostle (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Duvall
    Robert Duvall
    • The Apostle E.F.
    Todd Allen
    Todd Allen
    • Horace
    Paul Bagget
    • Tag Team Preacher #3
    • (as Brother Paul Bagget)
    Lenore Banks
    Lenore Banks
    • Female Sonny Supporter
    John Beasley
    John Beasley
    • Brother Blackwell
    Mary Lynette Braxton
    • Mother Blackwell
    Brett Brock
    Brett Brock
    • Helper
    Christopher Canady
    • Sister Johnson's Twin
    Christian Canady
    • Sister Johnson's Twin
    June Carter Cash
    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
    Wayne Dehart
    • Liquor Store Preacher
    Rick Dial
    • Elmo
    Farrah Fawcett
    Farrah Fawcett
    • Jessie Dewey
    • Director
      • Robert Duvall
    • Writer
      • Robert Duvall
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After seeing the film, Marlon Brando wrote Robert Duvall a heartfelt letter congratulating him on making such a moving film.
    • Goofs
      When the car takes off to go into the river, the tires squeal on a dirt road.
    • Quotes

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

    • 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
      What Passes For Love
      Written by David Grissom

      Performed by Storyville

      Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.

      By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

    User reviews167

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Amen!
    The Apostle is a gripping film on a most unpromising subject matter. The film has none of the obvious flash of movies such as Elmer Gantry and The Rainmaker which covered some of the same territory. The Apostle is based on straightforward storytelling, great character development and nice, gentle pacing - but with a strong kick.

    Robert Duvall, one of the best actors of the last thirty years, gives a powerful performance as the preacher driven by his inner demons - and gods. Over the years, we've seen preachers played by actors ranging from Burt Lancaster to Steve Martin but Robert Duvall comes up with a truly individual and original interpretation. What makes the character Sonny stand out is that he is so real! Ranging from his most charismatic (doing a Joe Dolan impersonation?) to his most personal, one feels that Sonny (the apostle EF) is real, believes what he is doing is real and is confident in his destiny - no matter how odd or quirky he appears at times.

    The film is character driven with a good sprinkling of incidents throughout. Story points introduced early on and developed before half way give the film a strong feel of The Fugitive, the TV series - laid back, story based but with the undercurrent of "a ticking bomb under the table" (Alfred Hitchcock).

    Minor quibbles: Miranda Richardson's character is a little too young for Robert Duvall's. June Carter Cash, both the actress and the character, seem under utilised. And at times it is possible to see the joins. The version I saw on video appears to be shorter than that shown originally in the US cinema. This pruning may account for some of these minor points.

    Overall, The Apostle is highly recommended. Filmgoers without a strong interest in religious matters should find the characters, their treatment and the landscape in which they operate fascinating. Most people of a religious disposition should have little difficulty with the film as a film though they may not always like what they see from a religious viewpoint. 8.75.

    Amen!
    helpful•19
    3
    • Kerryman
    • Jan 22, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 20, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El apóstol
    • Filming locations
      • Collin County, Texas, USA
    • Production company
      • Butcher's Run Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $5,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $19,868,354
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $29,396
      • Dec 21, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,868,354
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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