October 4, 2024

Documentary emphasizes courage of Boys Town founder Servant of God Father Edward Flanagan

(Image courtesy of Spirit Juice Studios)

(Image courtesy of Spirit Juice Studios)

By Ann Margaret Lewis

At 7 p.m. on Oct. 8, Fathom Events will debut a new documentary on the life and work of Servant of God Father Edward Flanagan, the founder of Boys Town, at several theaters in the archdiocesan area. The documentary will only be shown for one night.

Servant of God—or venerable—is the title used in the Catholic Church to indicate that an individual is on the first step toward possible canonization as a saint.

Heart of a Servant—The Father Flanagan Story recounts Father Flanagan’s life of humble, spirit-led service, beginning with his childhood in a tiny, rural town in Ireland, to his priestly vocation to serve underprivileged youth from Omaha, Neb., as well as the entire world. In 1917 he founded Boys Town, an orphanage for boys near Omaha.

While some will know about Father Flanagan from the Academy Award-winning 1938 film Boys Town staring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, this documentary tells the detailed true story about his sickly yet spiritually vibrant childhood, as well as his charism to care for young people.

The film is well-directed and produced using original recordings and period films to poignantly illustrate the story of Father Flanagan’s building of Boys Town, especially his heroic courage in facing the cultural bigotry against his practice of educating and caring for children of all races and creeds together as one community.

Actor Jonathan Roumie (“The Chosen”) narrates the film and served as one of the documentary’s executive producers. Serving with him as a fellow executive producer is former member of Our Lady

of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Indinapolis Branden Stanley, executive vice president of the Chicago-based Catholic media company Spirit Juice Studios.

“Growing up outside Indianapolis, the small-town roots of [Father Flanagan’s] work definitely strike a particular chord with me,” Stanley said. “I saw the heroism, the perseverance and the selflessness that drove him to give everything of himself and literally change national and international policy in the process.”

Stanley, who grew up in Danville, added that he was glad he could tell these stories about Father Flanagan before they were lost to history. “So few people remain who had firsthand experiences with [Father] Flanagan, and that small number is likely to vanish within the next 10 years,” he said.

Heart of a Servant is therefore well worth a viewing, especially for those familiar with the classic Spencer Tracey film, as it tells a whole new story. Audiences will learn more about this courageous and virtuous servant, who believed “there is no such thing as a bad boy.”

The film can be seen at 7 p.m. on Oct. 8 at the following cinemas around the archdiocese:

  • AMC Indianapolis 17, 4325 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis.
  • AMC Castleton Square 14, 6020 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis.
  • AMC Perry Crossing 18, 380 Cinema Blvd., Plainfield.
  • Regal UA Galaxy Indianapolis, 8105 E. 96th St., Indianapolis.
  • GQT Brownsburg 8 GDX, 1555 N. Green St., Brownsburg.
  • AMC Classic Terre Haute 12, 3153 S. 3rd Place, Terre Haute.

It can also be viewed at these locations surrounding the archdiocese:

  • Emagine Noblesville, 13825 Norell Road, Noblesville.
  • Cinemark Wester Hills 14, 5870 Harrison Ave., Cincinnati.
  • Cinemark Florence 14 and XD, 7860 Mall Road, Florence, Ky.
  • Cinemark Tinseltown Louisville, 4400 Town Center Dr., Louisville.
  • Cinemark Preston Crossings 16 and XD, 9700 Preston Crossing Blvd., Louisville.

To view the trailer or to purchase tickets, visit the film’s website at fatherflanaganfilm.com. †

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