The Apostle is a 1997 American drama film written and directed by Robert Duvall, who stars in the title role.

It was filmed on location in and around Saint Martinville and Des Allemands, Louisiana with some establishing shots done in the Dallas, Texas area.

After destroying all evidence of his past, Sonny rebaptizes himself and anoints himself as "The Apostle E. F." He leaves Texas and ends up in the bayous of Louisiana, where he persuades a retired minister named Blackwell to help him start a new church.

He works various odd jobs and uses the money to build the church, and to buy time to preach on a local radio station.

Sonny even succeeds in converting a racist construction worker who shows up at a church picnic intent on destruction.

While at work in a local diner, Sonny sees his new girlfriend out in public with her husband and children, apparently reconciled.

Making The Apostle had been a longtime passion project for Duvall, who first wrote the script in 1984, but could not find a studio willing to produce it.

[7][8] The Apostle opened in limited release in North American theaters on December 19, 1997, eventually expanding nationwide through February and March 1998.

The song "There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down" was composed by Brother Claude Ely.

The consensus summarizes: "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.

"[14] Critic Roger Ebert gave it four out of four stars and called the film "a lesson in how movies can escape from convention and penetrate the hearts of rare characters.

"[15] Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly gave the film an A− grade and described it as "a seamless match of strong artistic vision and physical performance", with "the Oscar-winning star of Tender Mercies [drawing] on more than three decades of experience personifying the hard contours and bruised souls of American men to create a fearless and fascinating piece of work.