The Apostle on DVD (1997)

Dan from Durham, England , 03/01/2006

It's a grand claim to make that this is Robert Duvall's finest film; if the fans of (let's face it, little more than a cameo role, albeit one with a huge impact) Lt. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now don't kill me for it then the legions of Godfather fans certainly will. But for me this is not only his greatest film but possibly the only movie I've seen to date where one actor makes the film single-handedly.

Duvall has a habit of taking on roles based on hard to define characters and in the case of the preacher Sonny, this film is definitely no different. As his life spirals downwards after the break up of his family and his brutal assault of the man taking his place, Sonny goes on the run to Louisiana. Once there he sets about finding redemption through his work with the community. But the storyline is almost inconsequential against Duvall's powerhouse performance. His belief and enthusiasm carry the audience along with him and there is no doubt that by the end of the film, despite knowing his past, everyone is routing for his character to avoid the inevitable as his past catches up with him. I can only sum this film up by saying this is THE finest character portayal I have seen on film, nothing else has touched me quite like the realisation of my own feelings towards this hugely flawed hero.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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Matthew HOBBS from Kent, England , 22/02/2006

I first heard of this film on the BBC Film programme back in 1997, and have been wanting to see it ever since. It looked like a passionate portrayal of someone who was genuinely struggling with life and would prove an interesting watch.

I was not disappointed.

Robert Duvall dominates the film with a performance that is charismatic, engaging and utterly convincing. I was mesmerised throughout.

As a Christian I am generally offended by the way my faith is portrayed in film and television - but for the first time that I can recall I felt at total ease at it's presentation.

It was a film not made to make comment on the Christian faith, it was made as a story plain and simple. It's set in reality and made with conviction - and the viewer is left to draw their own conclusions.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoy's character driven drama, that explores the human condition.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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A customer from UK , 23/06/2008

Right down there with the worst of worst. Slow, I mean real southern slow. Long, long preaching tedium. It never gets started, Zero plot.

I was hoping for some insight on the incomprehensible phenonomonen that is christian America but you're better of buying a happy meal.

Never again Bob. If a movie has your name on it as writer/director/producer I will pass it by.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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McClennan from St Helens , 22/08/2007

A Southern baptist preacher (I think he was baptist) leaves his parish and community once they turn against him after a scandal, moving on to become a preacher on a local small town radio station elsewhere. Robert Duvall wrote, directed and starred in the film, with his acting being the pick. Although the film is about twenty minutes too long, the story doesn't lose its clout and I enjoyed the presentation and discussion of religion posed by the film. Although the film highlights both logical and individual failings within organised religion it also had a couple of moments of where the power and belief associated with religion had very positive effects and they were handled very well.

  1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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McClennan from St Helens , 22/08/2007

A Southern baptist preacher (I think he was baptist) leaves his parish and community once they turn against him after a scandal, moving on to become a preacher on a local small town radio station elsewhere. Robert Duvall wrote, directed and starred in the film, with his acting being the pick. Although the film is about twenty minutes too long, the story doesn't lose its clout and I enjoyed the presentation and discussion of religion posed by the film. Although the film highlights both logical and individual failings within organised religion it also had a couple of moments of where the power and belief associated with religion had very positive effects and they were handled very well.

  1 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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A customer from scotland. , 22/11/2006

robert duvall wrote and directed this movie, pity seen him in a lot of good movies the story was good , but it dragged on and on.

  0 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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