The Fighting Priest is a feature-length documentary that brings to life the powerful and often overlooked story of Father James Groppi, the Catholic priest who became a central figure in the Northern civil rights movement. After years of development and various iterations, the project took shape when we uncovered a trove of personal, never-before-heard audio recordings made by Groppi himself. These tapes, donated by his family and released to the public in January 1st, 2020 by the Wisconsin Historical Society, reveal Groppi attempting to outline a memoir in his own words. His intimate reflections, recorded privately, provide a profoundly personal narrative anchor for the film.
Our documentary relies solely on archival materials and firsthand historical sources. In addition to the audio tapes, we incorporate extensive footage and interviews with Groppi during the civil rights movement and the years that followed. One of our most significant discoveries came from a reclusive collector in Kenosha, Wisconsin, who preserved a basement archive of original printed photographs — many of which appeared in newspapers during the 1960s. These rare images bring a visual authenticity and immediacy to the era.
Equally meaningful was the contribution from Groppi’s niece and brother, who generously donated personal photographs of a young Groppi and his family. These intimate, never-before-seen images allow audiences to experience a side of Groppi that history books have often overlooked — the devoted son, brother, and spiritual seeker who would later become an unlikely activist.
We conducted interviews, including with Groppi’s widow and a former Youth Council "commando" who marched beside him. A pivotal moment in our research was a three-hour interview with Dr. Patrick D. Jones, author of The Selma of the North, the definitive account of the Milwaukee marches led by Groppi and the NAACP Youth Council. We also revisited the physical and spiritual landscape of the movement by walking the same routes Groppi and the Youth Council walked for over 200 consecutive days and visiting the churches that served as organizing hubs in Milwaukee’s inner city.
This film has been seven years in the making. Throughout that time, we’ve conducted deep archival research at the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Milwaukee Public Library, poring over Groppi’s notes, newspaper clippings, and a wide array of correspondence — including the many vitriolic letters he received, which reflect the intense backlash he endured for standing up against segregation and injustice.
The Fighting Priest is more than a documentary — it’s a transmedia project. We maintain a dedicated website which offers deeper context and extended materials. Our YouTube channgel @11th Story hosts interviews and archival playlists, and our Facebook Page @TheFightingPriest provides ongoing updates, rare photos, and public engagement.
Through Groppi’s own voice, supported by the voices of those who knew him and marched with him, The Fighting Priest reclaims a vital chapter in American history — reminding us that the battle for equality wasn’t just in the South, and that spiritual conviction can be a radical force for justice.
