What Angelina Jolie left out of her new film “Unbroken,” changes the whole story!
The film chronicles the story of Louis Zamperini who survived 47 days on a life raft in the South Pacific before being picked up by the Japanese Navy. The following two years of his life was a living hell in Japanese prison camps.
A Story of Brutality and Survival
The story is one of the most amazing I’ve ever heard! Zamperini’s ability to survive in unbelievably cruel and harsh conditions are astounding. What is even more shocking is the utter depths of evil that created those conditions.
This is a story that unquestionably reveals the horror of war and how evil hearts can produce unthinkable suffering in their fellow-man.
A Story of Eventual Defeat
Zamperini survived of 47 days at sea in a raft and 2 years as a POW. He came home, got married and had a kid. It seemed like a story book ending. He had beaten his enemy by not giving in, by not breaking.
The problem was that he was broken! Zamperini could not overcome the evil he had experienced in Japan. It drove him to the edge of sanity with nightmares and regular alcoholic binges. He became angry and bitter, his marriage fell apart.
This was a battle Zamperini could not win on his own!
What Angelina Jolie Left Out
What changed everything for Louis Zamperini? What finally offered him a way out of his downward spiral and gave him the strength to forgive his torturers?
Zamperini met Jesus!
That’s the part Angelina Jolie left out and without it the story is incomplete.
Jesus Fixed Zamperini’s Broken Heart
Zamperini had survived the war physically but he was still suffering from a broken heart. A heart broken not only by the cruel treatment from Japanese prison guards but heart that was broken by the weight of his own sin.
Then one evening at a Billy Graham crusade Zamperini believed in Jesus and everything changed!
“In a single, silent moment, his rage, his fear, his humiliation and helplessness, had fallen away. That morning, he believed, he was a new creation. Softly, he wept… At that moment, something shifted sweetly inside him. It was forgiveness, beautiful and effortless and complete. For Louie Zamperini, the war was over.” (Hillebrand)
Get the Whole Story for Yourself
I recommend that if you must watch the movie “Unbroken” then you should at the very least read the book by Laura Hillenbrand first. Our family has read this book together and in addition to the detailed account of Zamperini’s war experience it also clearly describes his conversion and faith in Jesus after the war.
You may also want to check out Louis Zamperini’s autobiography called “Devil at My Heals.” Where Zamperini himself details his life and writes about his faith!
Bill (cycleguy)
December 29, 2014I’ve neither seen nor read anything but do plan to read it some day. It is sad she did what she did but then again, what would one expect from an agnostic (although I heard her experience with Louis changed her life)?
Caleb
December 29, 2014I have also read that Zamperini really impacted Jolie’s life. I mean how couldn’t he? He’s a Christian with an amazing story who obviously knows how to love and forgive others, that kind of stuff always makes an impact on others.
Rosalie
December 30, 2014We can’t wait to see the movie, but we have heard from a number of people how disappointing it was that this part of his story was left out. We’ll be sure to read the books as well!
Caleb
December 30, 2014Don’t miss out on the book, you won’t be disappointed!
Phil Cooke
December 30, 2014I understand your frustration if you didn’t like the way his conversion was handled in the movie, but the truth is Louie loved the way Angelina did it. He approved the movie before he died. I pre-screened it with his son Luke (who’s also a strong believer) and he confirmed that. Luke is also very happy with her cut of the film. After that long of a movie, to extend it to a Billy Graham Crusade and show all of that would have been very difficult from a structural point of view and probably a bit awkward – especially for a mainstream movie. She chose to do it in a graphic montage at the end. It may not have been your preference, but I think it’s worth honoring the fact that the guy who the movie is about loved it and approved it. I think that’s worth mentioning in your post.
Caleb
December 30, 2014I hadn’t read Zamperini’s thoughts omission of his conversion. Can you send me a link to that article?
Phil Cooke
December 31, 2014I heard it directly from his son Luke, but here’s the confirmation:
http://townhall.com/columnists/lukezamperini/2014/12/16/unbroken-film-gets-my-dads-faith-right-n1932559/page/full
Caleb
December 31, 2014Thanks for the link Phil. Here’s a quote from the article, “The film version of UNBROKEN does not spend a lot of screen time on his Christian conversion –detailing it in a series of text cards before the closing credits. And that is exactly the way my Dad and our entire family wanted it.”
It’s too bad that they left out such a significant aspect of the film. Hillebrand did spend several pages writing about Zamperini’s conversion near the end of her biography on Zamperini, hopefully people will pick up one of the books for the full story.
Ngina Otiende
December 30, 2014wow, this makes a huge difference, Caleb, I did not know about this part. Glad to know! If we do watch the movie, it will be with new ‘eyes’ 🙂
Caleb
December 31, 2014The book is gold Ngina, if you have a chance you should check it out.
Caleb
January 1, 2015I think a lot of people will read the book as a result of the movie, but it would have been awesome if Jolie had made it part of the movie too.
Dan Black
January 2, 2015What a great story and example of God’s power. Only God can heal a person who has those type of experiences. Great read!
Caleb
January 2, 2015It really is Dan, btw, we listened to the audio book and it was very well done. I know you like audio books too.
Dan Black
January 2, 2015Yes I do, I’ll have to check out the audio book.