American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story

2026 · Derek Watson · Catholic documentary, biography

Recommended. Age: 13+. A Catholic review of this movie for parents.

Our review

This is the story of a shepherd who would not run. Made with the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, it follows a plain farm boy who served the Tz'utujil people, trained catechists and gave his life for them. OSV News calls it uplifting and rates it for teens and adults. One gap: no review yet describes what is shown of the killing, so this verdict is provisional.

For parents

For ages 13 and up, as the OSV News A-II says, and good to watch as a family with teens. No one has logged what is shown of the killing yet, so preview it. People in the film relive the morning he was killed. Ask: why did Father Rother go back? Why does the good shepherd lay down his life (John 10:11)?

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