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Duvall's $5M Passion Project Defied Studios
17 Feb
Summary
- Duvall spent $5 million of his own money to fund the film.
- Studios rejected the film for 13 years before its release.
- The film earned critical acclaim and a modest box office success.
Robert Duvall's deep-seated passion project, "The Apostle," finally materialized in 1997 after a protracted 13-year struggle for studio backing. Duvall personally funded the film with $5 million of his own finances, a testament to his commitment to the story of Euliss F. "Sonny" Dewey, a Pentecostal preacher.
The film, which Duvall wrote and directed, depicts Dewey's escape after a violent act and his subsequent reinvention as "The Apostle E. F." in Louisiana. Despite initial studio hesitation, the movie garnered significant critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Duvall's nuanced portrayal of a flawed religious figure. Roger Ebert notably awarded it four stars, calling it a profound exploration of faith.
"The Apostle" achieved a critical triumph and a modest box office return of $21.2 million against its $5 million budget. The film's success underscored Duvall's dedication to exploring faith on screen, a theme he had been developing since the early 1960s. The cast also included notable performances from Billy Bob Thornton, Walton Goggins, Miranda Richardson, and Farrah Fawcett.
