I love movies, but I feel like I never get time to watch them anymore. So when FishFlix.com offered me the opportunity to review Unbroken Legacy of Faith Edition, I was so excited! For once, I HAVE to make time to watch a movie!
Unbroken is the dramatic retelling of the true story of Louis Zamperini’s life. The movie was written by the Coen Brothers and directed/ produced by Angelina Jolie. I was intrigued by this combination. The Coen Brothers are known for taking a true story and giving it a witty and funny twist (think Raising Arizona or The Big Lebowski), and I really didn’t know anything about Angelina Jolie as a director. This movie is not funny, It is respectful and, based on interviews I’ve heard from Zamperini, it is very accurate to the real story.
Louie’s story is so fascinating, it’s no wonder they stuck to it so closely! There’s no need to embellish a story like this. The child of Italian immigrants, Louie began his life causing trouble and running from the police. By the time he hit high school, he’d channeled that energy into running in track, and ended up in the Olympics! He had a successful college career running, he joined the army in 1941. In ’43, his plane crashed over the Pacific Ocean, leaving only he and two others (out of eleven) alive. They floated in a life raft for 47 days, only to land at the feet of the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner of war camp.
While on the raft, Zamperini sent out a prayer saying to God, “if you get me out of this, I’ll dedicate my life to you.” Of course, that was promptly forgotten and the film deals no further with Louie’s faith, but it turns out, after many trials and errors in his life, he did indeed follow through with his promise and go on to become an inspirational speaker.
The Legacy of Faith Edition from FishFlix.com offers a bonus DVD with over ninety minutes of special features discussing Louie’s relationship with God. It includes many interviews with Mr. Zamperini, who lived until July of 2014, so you are able to hear his story in his own words. He tells his story with honesty and straight-forwardness. Hearing this man tell his amazing story in his own words is captivating. Learning what came after the movie is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.
The Legacy of Faith Edition includes a CBN interview, an interview with Pastor Greg Laurie, and a special feature by the Billy Graham Evangelical Association and Louie Zamperini. I really enjoyed learning more about Mr. Zamperini, both during the time that was featured in Unbroken and afterward. While this is referred to as the “Legacy of Faith” edition, and the interviews and specials do, obviously, discuss his faith in Jesus Christ and how that has sustained him in his later years, I feel like there is so much to be learned about history and resilience even for those who do not share his faith. I highly recommend this edition. Unbroken tells an amazing story, but there is nothing like hearing the words coming straight from the Great Zamperini himself.
