Hollywood is set to lift the lid on what life is like for a military chaplain.
Richard Hull’s new film, Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey aims to give audiences a better understanding of these unsung heroes.
Hollywood actor and Christian, Chris Pratt, is an Executive Producer on the film.
Pratt, who was raised Lutheran, is now a non-denominational Christian and has always been open about his faith after becoming a believer as a teenager.
Director and Producer Richard Hull told CBN News:
“I knew nothing about military chaplains. I didn’t even know that that existed as a profession.”
Hull, who directed, wrote and produced the project said he became personally invested as he started to explore the backstories of the chaplains.
“The more I got to know the subject matter, the more I fell in love with it, and I thought, ‘This is a movie that, not only do I want to produce, but I also want to direct and be the storyteller behind it,'” he said.
With Chris Pratt on board - an outspoken supporter of veterans - they teamed up to dig out combat chaplain stories and learn more about their experience on the battlefield.
“He’s a big military supporter," Hull said of Pratt. "He’s a very faith-forward guy. He really has a true heartfelt interest in telling these stories, most of which have never been told.”
Hull is hoping Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey helps show the shared violent experiences chaplains experience “in the chaos of war.”
Over 400 chaplains have died throughout US history with the roots of the role dating back to George Washington.
“On the one hand, chaplains go into combat wearing a uniform, but not carrying a weapon,” said Hull. “It’s a profession that … you do it for some higher calling.”
Hull said the role held special significance for soldiers.
“They’re just present and they’re dealing with these moments of life and death with soldiers, young and old — and families and it’s really intense, and it’s really powerful, and it’s very existential."
The 1 hour 15 minute documentary was released in US cinemas on 8th November.