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:

preacher | louisiana | texas | minister | church | 

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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 E.F.'s ex called the police (and the "Bayou Boutte" dispatcher supposedly answered), she would have actually called the Fort Worth P.D. homicide division, to inform that Sonny (aka E.F.) is in Bayou Boutte, Louisiana, since the incident is under Ft. Worth, Texas' jurisdiction. Also Bayou Boutte is quite likely too small for its own police department, let alone a homicide division.

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Quotes

Brother Blackwell: [laughing] Now, Apostle, I know what you're thinking, but... All-All I can say is that whenever you've been on the radio, most all the white people think you're black. Now, most all the colored people know you ain't black; but they sho do like you're style of preachin'. So, what you see is what we got.
Sonny: Yeah. Yeah, well we got what the Lord sent... what the Lord sent.
Brother Blackwell: That's right.

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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

Featured in The 70th Annual Academy Awards (1998)

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Soundtracks

The Bible Rap Song
Written by Eli Wilson, Cathy Johnson, Cornela Jones

User Reviews

Courageous Story of Redemption

I will always admire Robert Duvall for all the personal effort he put into making this film. As a church worker who is a moderate/liberal Christian, there are few other movies like it out there. It presents a pastor who is clearly flawed and sinful, as all of us are. However, it also presents someone who simply wants to serve the Lord and help people, whether they are poor, black or prisoners. The filming locations and use of real pastors give the movie an extremely authentic feel. Great music as well! Highly recommended movie with great acting, a story that makes you think and a balanced portrayal of evangelical Christianity.