Be Here Now: The Andy Whitfield Story, is a film commemorating the life and final months of 39-year-old Welsh actor Whitfield, who lost his battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as he found international fame through his television role as a Roman gladiator.

The feature by award-winning filmmaker, Lilibet Foster, captures hours of intimate footage over a period of 18 months as Whitfield fought to get well.

The former engineer-turned-actor's widow Vashti, 42, has now explained why it was important for Andy to make the film.

"Andy and I wanted to make the film to show people that whatever happens it's an opportunity to grow and seize the moment," the mother-of-two told Daily Mail Australia.

Speaking about the impact the film has had on her, she added, "What happens to me when I watch it (the movie), it's deeply moving and sometimes confronting. But I'm present and I get to hang out with Andy again and get to watch him as a father."

"It's like having someone put batteries inside you. Watching him take his last breath, it brings me back to the now and I realise I have amazing children who carry him on," she added as she spoke about losing her husband.

Filmmaker Foster explains the documentary also chronicles the couple's love story. Andy and Vashti met seven years before he died after bumping into each other in December, 1998, on a London street.

"What I love about these two is their love story," the director smiled. "He taught her how to be softer and she taught him to be stronger."