When Angelina Jolie’s new Louis Zamperini biographical movie Unbroken releases on Christmas Day, anybody familiar with Laura Hillenbrand’s riveting book of the Olympic runner, POW survivor, turned Christian evangelist and inspirational speaker will notice that Zamperini’s conversion to Christianity is mentioned after the climax in a closing title.
As told in Hillenbrand’s book, Zamperini survived the war, married Cynthia Applewhite, but was constantly haunted with nightmares from his time in the prison camp. Falling into alcoholism, his marriage was on the verge of ending, until his wife became a born-again Christian at a Billy Graham crusade. Through her prodding, she convinced Louis to attend the crusade where an internal struggle eventually broke him and brought him to his knees at the cross of Christ. Through his relationship with Christ, he was able to forgive his captors and tormentors.
If Louis’ journey isn’t enough to move a person, his conversion is the proverbial icing on the cake.
So why did the filmmakers only include it at the very end in a closing title, and even more importantly, should Christians accept or reject the movie? Before we answer this, there are a few things to consider.
Impossible Expectations
The truth is, the movie will not and could never live up to Zamperini’s actual life story. To ask this of a filmmaker is to set oneself up for disappointment. Unbroken the movie is merely a snippet of Zamperini’s life, focusing on his incredible drive to survive fueled by a family who loved and believed he could do more. The movie doesn’t and shouldn’t replace his story, but it does put a spotlight on Zamperini and gives his story and message exposure to millions who haven’t heard it.
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SOURCE: Charisma News
Ted Baehr
