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.

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Plot Keywords:

southern gothic | preacher | louisiana | texas | minister | 

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Taglines:

Lust, Obsession, Revenge... Redemption

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Genres:

Drama

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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.

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Goofs

When Sonny first goes to see the church, he leaves his car door open. When he returns, the car door is shut.

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Quotes

Horace: You feel alright?
Sonny: Oh yeah. I feel just about as good as I've ever felt, Rodney.
Horace: Well... my name's not Rodney.
Horace: Sonny, listen to me... I'm really and truly sorry about what's happened here, I really am.
Sonny: Well why don't you just but out. Before I take my, my boot here and tear you out another asshole... right where your nose is at.
Horace: Sonny, there's no call for that kind of talk, now...
Sonny: Well, we'll see about that...

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in Howard Stern on Demand: Robert Duvall (2006)

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Soundtracks

Handwriting on the Wall
Written by Mel Mallory
Performed by Little Leo
Courtesy of Tuff City/Night Train International Records
By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

I love this film

Robert Duvall did an excellent job bringing this film to life. The other 'actors' in the film also contribute to give "The Apostle" a realistic warmth rarely achieved in mainstream films. I refer to the cast as 'actors' because aside from numerous character actors, Duvall being one of the greatest, the film is inhabited by non-actors. In other words, the people in church, from the Holiness preachers to the warm small-town folk, are real people, not trained in acting. Duvall's story is engaging and beautiful in the way it shows the flaws amid great talent in a man who chooses for himself the calling of Apostle. I love this film, the accurate portrayal of some aspects of southern U.S. life and culture, and especially Duvall's performance.