The Berrigans: Devout and Dangerous is the story of an American family who made the FBI’s Most Wanted List in 1970 for their opposition to the Vietnam War — and continued resisting for the next 50+ years.

The Berrigans had no choice but to leave behind their lives of sacred comfort to act against war and racism. They sacrificed everything — defying the church they held so dear, spending years of their lives in prison and parenting from behind bars — to demonstrate the true fundamentals of Christianity: peace, equality, and the guts to tell the truth.

The Berrigans took on the Catholic Church and the United States government at the peril of their freedom, families, and reputation — all for the sake of peace and faith. Despite Cardinal Spellman, J. Edgar Hoover, Richard Nixon, and others in power battling to ban the Berrigans and their followers, the brothers became examples for heroes like Daniel Ellsberg, who resisted the dangerous spread of nuclear weapons and international militarism.

Told through the perspective of the youngest Berrigans, Devout and Dangerous digs deep into the exploits that made the Berrigans pop icons, the subjects of rock songs, magazine coverboys, frequent talk-show guests and sought-after speakers in pulpits world-wide. Using live footage of demonstrations and non-violent actions, archival footage, and interviews with an impressive host of notable figures the Berrigans inspired, Devout and Dangerous makes the point that non-violent direct action is as relevant today as it was in the past.

Dan’s poetry, read by actor Liam Neeson, and Phil’s intimate letters, read by actor Bill Pullman, are woven throughout the film. Devout and Dangerous brings the Berrigans alive, inspiring us at this dangerous crossroads in our nation’s history that fighting for what’s right is not a choice — but a necessity.