Another movie has come out based upon the life of Louis Zamparini entitled, Unbroken-Path to Redemption." Some of you may remember that Angelina Jolie directed a film called Unbroken back in 2014. Perhaps you read the book Unbroken by Pulitzer Prize winning author Laura Hillenbrand, which was on the New York Times Bestseller list for 108 weeks back in 2010. After all that, you may ask yourself why see this movie?
Here's why. Unbroken: Path To Redemption is a well-acted film depicting the power of Christ to transform a life. So few Christian movies ever make it to the big screen. As a result of that, Christians do not often get validation or mirroring of their lives through film. In Unbroken: Path to Redemption, you get all that and more. The film has a first rate cast and director who faithfully portrays this Christian story.
For those of you unfamiliar with this true story, Louis Zamparini was the child of Italian parents who moved to the United States. He was bullied as a child and then grew into a bully himself. His behavioral problems included smoking, drinking and stealing. He did not take correction well and even flattened a teachers' tire for trying to discipline him. He had set sail on a clear course for the Department of Corrections when something intervened. That was, his God-given talent to run.
Those close to him, including his older brother Pete, a caring police officer, and some pretty high school girls eventually influenced him to join the track team. The discipline and routine involved in this sport rerouted his time and energy to a more positive direction. He soon began to thrive. He was routinely winning races and was dubbed the "Torrance Tornado" by the local media. He set a high school track record with a 4:21:2 minute mile. His high school record was unbeaten for nineteen years.
Louis received a track scholarship to the University of Southern California and was even invited to join the 1936 United States Olympic Team. He was the youngest person on that team, finishing 8th in the Berlin Olympics with a sub-60 second final lap. His performance created a buzz suggesting he would compete in the next Olympics and win with a 4 minute mile. But the winds of war changed all that, and as with many a young life during wartime, Louis would never be the same.
He dropped out of college and joined the Air Force where he served as a bombardier in the South Pacific. He saw action and almost lost his life on many occasions including surviving a plane crash and being lost at sea for 47 days. The worst was yet to come. Louis Zamparini's raft drifted into Japanese territory. He and a fellow crewmate were taken as prisoners of war by the Japanese where they were subjected to cruel and sadistic treatment.
This movie begins in the period immediately following Louis' release from a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He struggles to return to a normal civilian life. As a result of dropping out of college to enlist in the Air Force, he had no clear career path, and he still had the dream of a future Olympic run. He was confused. However, the biggest struggle he had was the post traumatic stress disorder which consumed him. Even with love and support from both family and friends, Louis was full of anger and pain. He did not yet know the Lord, nor did he wish to (as our movie opens).
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a cruel thing. Louis had successfully survived torture, starvation and unimaginable deprivation. Yet, now safely returned to his country and family he began to relive those nightmare events. The movie passionately tells the story of how the Lord healed and redeemed him and gave new meaning and direction to his life. In so doing, every film goer is challenged to contemplate what God can do in their life. What do you need God to heal and redeem in your life? Go see this movie, I promise you won't be disappointed!
No comments:
Post a Comment