The Apostle

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2:15

The Apostle

PG-13,

1998,

2h 28m,

Drama

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The Apostle: Trailer 1

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Watchlist

89%

45 Reviews

Tomatometer

79%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

After Sonny (Robert Duvall), an eccentric Pentecostal preacher, learns that his wife is having an affair, he beats her lover into a coma and flees the state of Texas. Now in a small Louisiana town, Sonny goes by the name of "Apostle E.F." and opens a new church with the help of a retired reverend (John Beasley). While battling personal demons and injecting new life into his congregation, Sonny dates a radio station worker (Miranda Richardson) and searches for peace in his new life.

Critics Consensus

A nuanced sermon on the contradictions of faith as well as a blistering showcase for its director and star, The Apostle will leave audiences evangelizing the immensity of Robert Duvall's talent.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Feb 18, 2006

4/5

A labor of love coming to fruition after 13 years, this is Robert Duvall's third and best directorial effort, a sharply observed exploration of a preacher who embarks on a redemption odyssey after committing a crime.

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Jul 19, 2003

A-

Disturbing but thought-provoking depiction of genuine faith coexisting with sin and carnality… like the troubling fiction of Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, and Flannery O'Connor, a vindication of belief without being a vindication of every believer.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

4/4

"The Apostle" is like a lesson in how movies can escape from convention and penetrate the hearts of rare characters.

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Jan 19, 2023

A

Instead of reducing his minister to an Elmer Gantry hypocrite, Duvall gives us a flawed man who nevertheless has a deep, loving religious conviction. This is the finest movie ever made about a minister or priest.

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

Jan 7, 2023

1.5/4

If you can stand to sit for two hours and listen to a sermon and really want to see Robert Duvall’s performance by all means go see it, but if you’re not as patient as I tried to be this is not the film for you.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 2, 2020

3.5/4.0

Duvall's script is one of subtle grace and beauty.

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Poe L

Jul 9, 2018

I am an atheist, but I am pretty converted to the word of Duvall. With a thin storyline he manage to keep you entertained: first almost annoyingly it, but slowly growing. Most of the movie is about his magnetic performance, and it is worth it.

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Ron R

Mar 27, 2018

A triumph indeed, "The Apostle" is amazing in every way, shape and form.

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Robert Duvall

Director

Robert Duvall

Euliss 'Sonny' Dewey-The Apostle E.F.

Farrah Fawcett

Jessie Dewey

Miranda Richardson

Toosie

Todd Allen

Horace

John Beasley

Brother C. Charles Blackwell

The Apostle: Official Clip - On My Way to Heaven

1:32

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The Apostle: Official Clip - I'll Fly Away

2:11

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The Apostle: Official Clip - On Fire for Jesus

1:05

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The Apostle: Official Clip - One for the Road

2:40

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The Apostle: Official Clip - Last Rites

2:49

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The Apostle: Official Clip - Radio Waves

1:10

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The Apostle: Official Clip - The Passing Troublemaker

2:32

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The Apostle: Official Clip - The Keys to the Kingdom

1:51

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The Apostle: Official Clip - Yelling at the Lord

2:06

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The Apostle: Official Clip - Nobody Moves That Book

3:00

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The Apostle: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After Sonny (Robert Duvall), an eccentric Pentecostal preacher, learns that his wife is having an affair, he beats her lover into a coma and flees the state of Texas. Now in a small Louisiana town, Sonny goes by the name of "Apostle E.F." and opens a new church with the help of a retired reverend (John Beasley). While battling personal demons and injecting new life into his congregation, Sonny dates a radio station worker (Miranda Richardson) and searches for peace in his new life.

Director: Robert Duvall
Producer: Rob Carliner
Screenwriter: Robert Duvall
Distributor: October Films
Production Co: Butcher's Run Films
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 20, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 8, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.8M
Runtime: 2h 28m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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