AMERICAN MARTYR: THE STANLEY ROTHER STORY

Yes. This powerful documentary, told from a Roman Catholic perspective, tells the inspiring true story of Father Stanley Rother, who became the first US-born martyr and the first American to be beatified. The movie includes fascinating interviews with his family, friends, and the people he helped during his time as a missionary in Guatemala. It also touches on some of the political challenges that Guatemalans faced back then.

This story inspires with its messages about faith and the importance of helping others, no matter the cost. While the movie offers a moving and educational experience, it does include some discussions about violence that might not be suitable for young kids and sensitive viewers.

Father Stanley Rother felt a calling to serve God from a young age. After his ordination, he received permission to work at the Oklahoma diocese's mission in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. There, Father Rother established a deep bond with the people he served, finding family among his congregation. When the country’s civil war escalated, Father Rother chose to stay, risking his own life. His legacy endures through the lives he touched and through his recognition as the first U.S. martyr and first U.S.-born priest to receive beatification.

This three-star movie is a well-made documentary that gives an in-depth look at Father Rother’s life. You’ll find a mix of old photos, bits from his journals and letters, and interviews with his family, friends, and the many people he helped in Guatemala.

It does a fantastic job of sharing his story in an easy-to-understand way, so you really get to know who he was. This movie is inspiring, showcasing his strong commitment to helping others. By the end, you’ll have a deeper appreciation for lending a hand to those in need and standing firm in your faith.

A strong Christian worldview with a Roman Catholic perspective runs through this narrative. Father Stanley Rother leaves an Oklahoma farm for a mission in Guatemala, and his love for the people there drives everything he does: he learns their language, translates Scripture for them, and builds them a hospital and a farm co-op.

When Guatemala's civil war puts a target on his back, he flies home to Oklahoma, then returns anyway and tells his flock, "The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger." Gunmen kill him for it in 1981, but the movie treats that death as a win, not a loss.

The church beatifies him in 2017, and his village still keeps his heart enshrined in their church today. While the movie leans hard into the Catholic tradition of relics, sainthood, and intercession, its heart argues that faith only proves itself when it costs something, and Rother backs that argument with his life.

AMERICAN MARTYR offers a moving, informative look at the life and legacy of Father Stanley Rother, the first U.S. martyr and the first U.S.-born priest the Catholic Church has beatified. The documentary avoids inappropriate content, but it does discuss violent acts that could upset young children or sensitive viewers.