The Apostle

I don't think I've ever seen a clearer portrayal of the charismatic psychopath than Robert Duvall playing the part of Euliss "Sonny" Dewey. Do not think that psychopaths are mad-dog killers - only very few are and they could be considered "unsuccessful" psychopaths. Some people think that psychopathy is the result of some attachment or bonding difficulty as an infant but psychopathy expert, Dr. Robert Hare, has turned the idea around. After all his years digging into the background of psychopaths. He says: "In some children the very failure to bond is a symptom of psychopathy. It is likely that these children lack the capacity to bond readily, and that their lack of attachment is largely the result, not the cause, of psychopathy."  Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us In other words: they are born that way and you can't fix them.The differences in how psychopathy manifests does have to do with family background, however. How one is raised determines how the psychopath expresses himself in life. A psychopath who grows up in a stable family and has access to positive social and educational resources might become a white-collar criminal, or perhaps a somewhat shady entrepreneur, preacher, politician, lawyer, judge, or other professional. Another individual with the same traits, and a deprived background might become a common con-artist, a drifter, mercenary, or violent criminal.A psychopath born into a very religious background, having the early experiences with evangelism that are depicted in the movie, would very likely grow up to be exactly as Sonny is portrayed.The point is, social factors and parenting practices only shape the expression of the disorder, but have no effect on the individual's inability to feel empathy or to develop a conscience.All of these issues are depicted in this movie: Sonny is traveling most of the time and often cheats on his wife, but considers himself to be basically a "good guy." His mother falls on the floor in a weak spell and he just walks out the door and says he'll see her in a few weeks. His barely controlled aggression against his wife when he discovers that she is cheating while he's on the road (also cheating, as he admits), and later when they discuss the break-up of their marriage, finally culminating in a violent break-out where he scares the bejeebies out of everybody by going berserk at a kid's softball game, inflicting a fatal injury on his wife's boyfriend, are all clues to the seething selfishness that drives Sonny.Sonny also exhibits what psychopaths DO have that is truly outstanding: an ability to give their undivided attention to something that interests them intensely right now or in terms of setting up a situation where they have power and authority over others. Some clinicians have compared this to the concentration with which a predator stalks his prey. This quality is abundantly evident in Sonny's drive to preach, to "have a church," and the work he is willing to put into acquiring that status.The qualities of the psychopath are also on display in Sonny's talents as a preacher with a mastery of hypnotic techniques. Psychopaths are naturally interesting as all get out - even exciting! They exude a captivating energy that keeps their listeners on the edge of their seats (and they talk a LOT!). Even if some part of the normal person is shocked or repelled by what the psychopath says or does, they are like the mouse hypnotized by the torturing cat. Even if they have the chance to run away, they don't. This is evident in the movie in Toosie's fascination for Sonny even though she is also repelled by him.Many Psychopaths "make their living" by using charm, deceit, and manipulation to gain the confidence of their victims. You see that clearly when Sonny travels to Bayou Boutte and tells an out and out lie to Rev. Blackwell that "God sent me to fellowship with you." The viewer knows that he learned about Rev. Blackwell from his cousin whom Sonny met while on the run from his criminally violent behavior. In fact, this scene is the dead giveaway that we are watching a psychopath in action. With all his praying, self-baptizing, Bible reading and thumping, and assorted other self-righteous activities, Sonny sits there and tells a bald-faced lie to another minister and ascribes it to God. (Well, he probably convinced him that it WAS God, that this was how God directed him, but that's really stretching it.)The fact is, many psychopaths can be found in white collar professions where they are aided in their evil by the fact that most people expect certain classes of people to be trustworthy because of their social or professional credentials. Preachers, lawyers, doctors, teachers, politicians, psychiatrists and psychologists, generally do not have to earn our trust because they have it by virtue of their positions. But the fact is: psychopaths are found in such lofty spheres also, and more often than most people suppose!At the same time, psychopaths are good imposters. They have absolutely no hesitation about forging and brazenly using impressive credentials to adopt professional roles that bring prestige and power. They pick professions in which the requisite skills are easy to fake, the jargon is easy to learn, and the credentials are unlikely to be thoroughly checked. Psychopaths find it extremely easy to pose as financial consultants, ministers, psychological counselors and psychologists. It may even be due to the fact that the science of psychology is infested with psychopaths that truly helpful research on psychopathy is never funded despite the fact that psychopaths cause more damage to society than any other psychological problem. This film is an example of that very sort of damage. Multiplied millions of U.S. citizens are subjected to this kind of hypnosis/evangelism which twists and warps their minds. Another clue to the reality of Sonny Dewey is that psychopaths make their way by conning people into doing things for them; obtaining money for them, prestige, power, or even standing up for them when others try to expose them. That's what they do and they do it very well as Sonny demonstrates with just about everyone he comes in contact with. What's more, the job is very easy because most people are gullible with an unshakable belief in the inherent goodness of man.Manipulation is the key to the psychopath's conquests. They will feign false emotions to create empathy, and many of them study the tricks that can be employed by the empathy technique. Psychopaths are often able to incite pity from people because they seem like "lost souls" as Guggenbuhl-Craig writes. So the pity factor is one reason why victims often fall for these "poor" people.One of the chief ways psychopaths prey on others is to make use of the normal person's need to find meaning or purpose in life. They will pose as preachers, grief counselors, or "experts" of various sorts that attract followings of people who are looking for answers. They are masters of recognizing "hang-ups" and self-doubts that most people have, and they will brazenly pander to them to gain a follower to use later.This is what Sonny was doing, and doing masterfully with the character played by Billy-Bob Thornton.It is that kind of mind that we are dealing with when we consider such as Euliss "Sonny" Dewey and his ilk, and the millions upon millions of people that follow them and become their armies of hate in the guise of "brotherly love."Definitely get this movie and watch it for the simple reason that you need to know about psychopaths, how they operate, and how to spot them and you need to teach it to your children.Besides, it is a darn good movie and VERY well done! I grew up in the deep South and I KNOW people like that; heck, I have some in my family! The film characterizations are brilliant and nothing is exaggerated; it could almost be a documentary!I'd give it six stars if I could!

We watched this movie years ago and recently bought for a gift.It keeps your attention, great acting and is a classic!Wish more movies today had this type of quality!They loved it too!

I’m a big Duval fan and this movie allowed him to use his acting skills brilliantly. Thoroughly enjoyed it.,

When I first saw this movie coming out I thought they were playing with God. And I refused to watch it. Years later. And I mean years later. This is a great movie. The Holy Spirit is in it. It is a joy. I love it. Watch it. Buy it. And praise Jesus.

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.

Quand j'ai acheté ce films sur Amazon , LA DESCRIPTION DISAIT : que la langue était en Anglais et en Français . J'ai été déçu de voir que ce DVD est SEULEMENT en Anglais pour l'audio . Et les sous-titres : Français , Espagnole . Si je l'avais su , je ne l'aurais jamais pas acheté ...When a buy this movie on Amazon , THE DESCRIPTION SAID : for the language : English and French . I'm very disappointed to see this movie is ONLY in English for audio . And the subtitle : French, Spanish . I don't ever buy this movie , if a know it's was only in English ( audio ) ...Sorry for my English !

Was not expecting the letterbox format but I enjoyed the movie anyway. Exactly what I ordered. Thank you so much! :)

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.

A powerhouse of a movie. You should watch it now.

Great movie, wonderful characters.