To that end, the Dr. Joseph Warren Foundation has released a trailer on a documentary aimed at telling the story of the early patriot and city/county namesake.

Christian Di Spigna, author of a Warren biography and chairman of the Foundation, said it’s been a little over four years since that biography was published.

“(We’re) not getting where we need to be… to make everyone aware who this guy was,” he said. “My contention… there might not have been an American Revolution without him.”

Warren rose from relatively modest means to be one of colonial Boston’s most prominent physicians. Contemporaries – and friends – of famous names like Adams and Revere, Warren was involved in revolutionary effort for years before his death at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.

Warren is often excluded from the national pantheon of influential founders and his historical star has dimmed in the 200 years since his death.

“It’s just really stunning how he is not known at all,” Di Spigna said.

His assertion is that the timing is right to take on a project like this – the 250th anniversary of the country is approaching.

“If we don’t do something, we miss a golden opportunity when the nation will hopefully be on board” with celebrations.

The goal of the documentary will be pretty simple – “get people to be familiar with his name and the story, why he is important,” Di Spigna said.

Dr. Joseph Warren biographer and foundation chairman, Christian Di Spigna, speaks during a trailer for a planned documentary on the life and significance of Warren.

Organizers plan for the documentary to feel more like a docudrama than, say, a Ken Burns production.

“We want to give the high drama,” Di Spigna said. “There is the drama from the time period because it’s so action packed…. What we’d really love to do (is present the) most accurate story without embellishment” and “to give an accurate portrayal of what actually happened.”

The target for release is winter 2025, months ahead of the 2026 250th.

The foundation has a media company on board with staff that have connections to entities like Netflix and Amazon. Di Spigna said that it would also be sent to several networks with the hope it gets picked up.

He said the production ultimately comes down to securing the funding required to complete the project.

“This guy’s story is so fascinating,” he said. “It’s about getting him on the map.”