The Apostle

Get this for the performances, if nothing else. Duvall is incredible, Walton Goggins shines in an early role that foretold what his talent would grow to, and Billy Bob Thornton, too, is great in two scenes fresh off of Slingblade. Farrah Fawcett and Rick Dial are enjoyable as well

My sister and I watched this movie for the first time last night on cable. I had heard of it since its debut in 1997, but never taken the time to watch it. I had been avoiding it, to be honest. I assumed it was a film which was making a mockery of Christianity. However, I was very, very wrong. "The Apostle" is one of the the best films I have seen. When I started watching it, I thought I might be disappointed. I was not. I have enjoyed the other films I have seen Robert Duvall in, but this was his best performance of all. He brilliantly captured the part of the the charismatic, Southern preacher. I have seen preachers like that in person, and there were times we felt were in church, or seeing them on television. We had to remember we were watching a movie. The thing about this film that appeals to me most is how Sonny is a man who really loves the Lord. However, he is not perfect, nor does he pretend to be. So many of we Christians can be so arrogant, thinking we are above everyone else, it is an annoying turn-off. He has cheated on his wife, and kills her lover by beating him with a baseball bat in a fit of anger. He is kicked out of his church. He even lashes out at God when his wife leaves him. It is a very realistic portrayal of a man who has deeply rooted issues, yet at the same time, he is still a Christian. It shows you do not have to be perfect to serve God, and to love Him. This movie does not belittle or disrespect Christianity. It makes it real and honest. After Sonny's attack on his wife's lover, he flees to a small town in Louisiana, where he decides to start his life over. He baptizes himself again, declares himself an apostle, and takes on the name "The Apostle E.F." He founds a new church, which starts off very small, then quickly grows into a larger, racially-diverse congregation. It is a close-knit group. Unfortunately, Sonny's ex-wife hears him on the radio, and contacts the local authorities. One night, after a touching, uplifting sermon, he is arrested for murder. He embraces some of the members, as they sing. He then walks out of the church, and surrenders to the police, relinquishing his jewelry to be sold for the benefit of the church. In prison, he is still preaching the gospel, and influencing the other inmates. The rest of the cast includes Farrah Fawcett, as Sonny's ex-wife Jessie, June Carter-Cash as Sonny's mother, John Beasley as Brother C. Charles Blackwell, the man he builds his new church with, and Billy Bob Thornton as a racist troublemaker who initially comes to the church to start trouble, but is converted by Sonny in the end. I have quite a few favorite movies. Very few have ever touched me as deeply as this one did. I could watch it again and again, and never get tired of it, or its message.

After most movies I watch, I say to myself "That was a pretty good movie", and then I never think about them again........not this movie. Once you watch this one, you'll never forget it. I watched it about 5 years ago and it is still as clear as the day I watched it. As a conservative Christian, I do not subscribe at all to the pentecostal faith or their worship practices, but the portrayal of all these things in this movie is very realistic, regardless of how you view these matters. As a movie, this is a brilliant work; as for the acting, Duvall's performance defies description. A quick scan of the reviews here will give you the picture. This is undoubtedly one of those "love it" or "hate it" movies. As a movie, I loved it, but it probably has to be understood to be loved, otherwise it may completely miss you and you will find yourself scratching your head. I have read some of the reviews and found a little of what I was afraid I would find, i.e. those attempting to either evaluate this as a "Christian" movie, or those using it to disparage Christianity. This is misguided. There is no attempt at Biblical teaching in this movie nor any attempt at a political message. This movie is portraying a man and his journey. When the movie opens with the holiness service where they are all shouting and screaming Jesus' name, it nearly turned me off about the whole movie, and I am sure there were many who saw this and were tainted from that point on, I nearly was. Again, however, this is probably a pretty realistic portrayal of the pentecostal holiness worship. In any event, this part is soon over and the movie really begins after that. I was born in the "north" and still have much family that are Yankees, and I know pretty much what they believe and how they think. I have also lived in the south most of my life, part of this time in the deep south, and I have seen firsthand the differences in cultural beliefs and attitude between the two parts of our country. I have also seen the religious differences between the 2 as well. And frankly, as others have said, you must have some understanding of the local setting, including this particular aspect of the pentecostal religion before you can fully appreciate this movie and Duvall's character. For what it depicts, this movie is as real and accurate as it gets. Again, however, the Pentecostal religion is just the setting, not the main plot. Duvall's performance is beyond words so I will not attempt to describe it, except to say that despite my comments about knowing the setting and understanding the culture in the movie, if you appreciate good movies and good performances, you shouldn't miss this.

Robert Duvall, nuff said

I’ve been wanting this movie for a while. Finally got it! A great Movie with the late Robert Duvall.

A brilliant film... I've been a fan of Duvall since "To kill a Mockingbird"

Old memories

Wonderful movie.

Es dificil de encontrar esta pelicula en las tiendas... fue un de los mejores de Duvall. Historia con situaciones verdaderas en una cultura con tradiciones diferentes. Lo he mirado 2 veses... pero es en Ingles con sutitulos.

As a former pastor of a small congregation, I can relate with a lot of what this story is about; not the killing and cheating, but the sincere fire God puts in the souls of those He calls into ministry and the desire to reach the lost for Christ.

Came factory sealed and in excellent condition.

avevo richiesto l'edizione tedesca ma mi è arrivata un'edizione made in Mexico non compatibile con i lettori dvd europei, per cui che recensione posso dare?

Good film.