In Theaters August 25-26, 2026 (English)

En cines el 27 de agosto (Español)

Narrated by critically acclaimed actor Martin Sheen, American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story tells audiences about the extraordinary life, ministry, martyrdom and legacy of the first U.S.-born priest and martyr who gave his life in service of the people of Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala.

Telling the Story

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City partnered with Oklahoma City-based film studio Lampstand Story Company to tell the story of Blessed Stanley Rother, the priest, missionary and martyr from the heart of Oklahoma.

You can see still images from the movie in the gallery below.

“American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story” will be released in theaters August 25-26, 2026 in English, and August 27, 2026 in Spanish.

Cityscape with white church building, red and green rooftops, and green hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
A man with a beard wearing a hat and jacket stands beside a lake with mountains in the background.

“American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story,” a feature-length documentary narrated by acclaimed actor Martin Sheen, tells the extraordinary true story of an American priest who was murdered for refusing to abandon his people. Born on a humble wheat farm in Oklahoma, Father Stanley Rother left behind an ordinary life to serve the Indigenous Tz’utujil people of Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, during the country’s brutal civil war. Immersing himself completely in the life of the community, he learned their language, shared their suffering, helped translate the New Testament into Tz’utujil, and became a beloved spiritual father to the people he served. As violence and persecution closed in, Father Stan made a courageous choice: he would remain with his flock. Convinced that “the shepherd cannot run,” he returned to Guatemala knowing it could cost him his life. Only months later, masked gunmen entered his rectory and murdered him. Through powerful storytelling, moving testimonies and unforgettable historical footage, “American Martyr” reveals the witness of Blessed Stanley Rother — the first American-born priest recognized as a martyr by the Catholic Church — whose courage, sacrificial love, and unwavering faith continue to inspire audiences around the world.

A cityscape with a river in the foreground and mountains in the background, with light morning mist covering part of the city.
A rural farmyard scene with a large two-story white house with a porch, several farm buildings including a barn, silo, and small shed, a couple of parked cars, green grass, trees, and a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A wide view of a farm field with tire tracks in the earth, green patches, and a few sparse trees in the distance, under a clear blue sky during sunset.
A person standing by a fence, watching a sunset over an open landscape.
Person walking near a large tree on the left, with a sunset or sunrise in the background, open field, and a fence.
A young boy in school uniform standing on a fence at sunset, with a large tree and a barn in the background.
Interior view of a doorway leading outside to a bright outdoor area with a white building, a fence, and a partially visible tarp-covered structure, viewed from a dark room with a circular rug on the wooden floor.
A tall water tower against a blue sky with scattered clouds, with the word "OKARCHE" written on it and birds flying around.
Young altar servers in white and red robes carry religious items during a church procession, surrounded by congregants in colorful clothing inside a church.
Smiling woman and a child looking through a black metal gate, with a background of trees and rocks, and yellow bushes in the foreground.
Aerial view of a town with a white church in the center, surrounded by numerous small buildings and houses, with some trees and a sports court in the foreground.
A smiling man wearing a black cap and jacket standing outdoors by a body of water with mountains in the background during daytime.
Women with headscarves washing clothes in a river with boats and houses in the background
A man with a beard and a dark baseball cap is looking at the sunset or sunrise, with purple and orange hues in the sky.
A dark hallway leading to an open door that shows an outdoor space with trees and a building in the distance.
A person carrying a large bucket on their shoulder walking on a wooden dock over a body of water, with boats and mountains in the background on a clear day.
A small town with a church in the foreground and a green mountain range in the background. The buildings have flat or sloped roofs, some with red or green roofing. The church has white walls and a dome-shaped roof. The sky is clear with some sunlight
A hillside city with densely packed buildings in front of green mountains at sunset.
Silhouette of a person standing on a porch at dusk, with trees and a sunset in the background, partially obscured by the side of a house.
Title screen for 'American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story', with black background and white text.

Stay up to date with the latest news and updates for
American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story!