Chris Pratt is adding executive producer to his growing list of credits with Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey, a documentary now streaming for free on Tubi and Roku. The film, timed for release around America’s 250th birthday celebration, tells the story of U.S. Army combat chaplain Father Emil Kapaun.
The documentary holds a perfect 100% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a remarkable achievement for any film and particularly notable for a faith-based documentary that could easily have alienated secular viewers. Instead, the film has found broad appeal by focusing on universal themes of sacrifice, courage, and service.
Co-directed and produced by Rich Hull and Justin D. Roberts under Paulist Productions — a non-profit with over 60 years of experience — Fighting Spirit represents the first co-production between Hollywood and the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps. That collaboration lends the film an authenticity that purely civilian productions would struggle to achieve.
Father Kapaun’s story is the kind of material that commands attention regardless of one’s religious beliefs. A military chaplain who served during the Korean War, Kapaun was named “Venerable” by Pope Francis, and the film was screened at the Vatican. His story of serving under fire, ministering to soldiers in combat, and ultimately sacrificing his life represents the kind of real-world heroism that documentary filmmaking exists to preserve.
“This film inspires us that heroes are real through stories of sacrifice and honor,” Pratt said of the project.
The documentary also pays tribute to the 419 military chaplains who have died in service, contextualizing Kapaun’s individual story within a broader tradition of spiritual service in the armed forces.
For viewers, the free availability on Tubi and Roku removes any barrier to entry. The film is also available for purchase or rental on Apple TV and Amazon. Whether approached as a patriotic celebration, a faith story, or simply a well-crafted documentary about an extraordinary person, Fighting Spirit delivers on its promise.
