‘Unbroken’ and Billy Graham

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Jan 1, 2014 | Grant Wacker

[KeyLargo]

‘Unbroken’ and Billy Graham The movie and the book about Louis Zamperini’s life skimp on the pivotal role of a certain preacher.

By Grant Wacker Jan. 1, 2015

Newspaper headlines agreed. Billy Graham —“heaven’s super salesman,” “the Lord’s top salesman”—knew how to close the deal. If he just read from a telephone book, one associate quipped, people would stand up and commit their lives to Christ.

Louis Zamperini, who died July 2 at age 97, was a case in point. The Olympic distance runner and World War II hero is the subject of Laura Hillenbrand ’s acclaimed 2010 biography, “Unbroken,” and of the new Angelina Jolie-directed movie based on the book.

As Ms. Hillenbrand tells the story, after mechanical problems caused Zamperini’s B-24 Liberator bomber to crash into the Pacific in 1943, the bombardier endured 47 days drifting on a life raft, and then two horrific years in a Japanese prison camp. When he returned to California at the end of the war, Zamperini fell into a maw of nightmares, alcoholism and severe post-traumatic stress, obsessively dreaming of taking revenge on the Japanese.

In 1949 Zamperini’s wife implored him to go with her to Billy Graham’s tent revival in downtown Los Angeles. The second night, Zamperini “walked the sawdust trail”—and publicly professed his newfound faith. He tossed out booze and cigarettes and embraced a lifetime of selfless Christian service, including a trip to Japan to forgive his tormentors.

Though Ms. Hillenbrand recounts Zamperini’s conversion, she doesn’t say much about how it influenced the rest of his life. In the movie “Unbroken,” Billy Graham goes unmentioned, and Zamperini’s redemption narrative is largely reduced to a few title cards flashed before the closing credits. Yet Zamperini himself believed that the religious event was the pivotal moment of his long journey.

[ZULU]

I think you misconstrued.

The Hollywood “stunt” was omitting the LAST part of his life regarding his conversion to Christianity.

[Tucker39]

So what is the point of the movie?

I just finished the book and was anticipating the movie. But if they’ve broomed Zamperini’s conversion I’ll broom the movie and go see THE SNIPER instead.

And the apparent answer to your question: Million$ for Jolie. What else could it be?

[Jane Austen]

That was a crucial point in the book.

[Jane Austen]

I was just now wondering the same thing. I had planned to see the movie but now won’t.

[Jane Austen]

It is a great book.

[KeyLargo]

Yes, I would recommend that even those that read the book still see the film with the understanding that they know what the man did in turning around his life in later years, because at least it will give them some sense of what he had to endure during the war.

[P-Marlowe]

Yes, I would recommend that even those that read the book still see the film with the understanding that they know what the man did in turning around his life in later years, because at least it will give them some sense of what he had to endure during the war.

The book does more than an adequate job of giving the readers a sense of what our soldiers endured. And Angela Jolie doesn't make money on her film if you don't pay to see it. My advice is to wait until it is on Netflix and in the meantime, read the book a second time.

[KeyLargo]

Europe’s Empty Churches Go on Sale
The Wall Street Journal ^ | Jan 2, 2014 | Naftali Bendavid

Posted on 1/3/2015, 6:57:59 AM by KeyLargo

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3243107/posts

[SkyPilot]

My family recently saw the film, and I truly recommend it. It is a powerful story, one that Angelina Jolie brought to the screen in a remarkable way. I was never a "fan" of her before, but I see her in a new light after the job she (and the entire cast and crew) did by producing this film. It is a movie whose theme and message we rarely see emerge from Hollywood these days.

Yes - the Billy Graham event and Captain Zamperini's conversion to Christ were left out of the movie. That is not a reason for anyone to boycott or avoid this movie. Moreover, there are extraordinary Christian messages in this film, and they are not presented in a cowardly fashion or with shy embarrassment. To the contrary, the movie presents these quite starkly:

- a young Louis listens to a sermon by a Catholic priest that directly quotes from the Bible and presents a Christian message

- God is definitely presented in the details, especially through the power of nature (stars, storms, rain) and the film highlights the messages of forgiveness, love, and redemption

- The closing card credits tell of the story of Zamperini's commitment to God, and his message of forgiveness, especially to his former torturers and his reaching out to the world (mentions his post-war visit to Japan and Germany)

Yes, if I directed the movie I would have included a scene of Zamperini's conversion. But the message of his faith is strongly presented. This is an outstanding film.

[SkyPilot]

I thought that it was very unusual for Hollywood to portray Japanese soldiers as sadistic in today’s PC world.

I did as well. The honesty of the brutal treatment surprised me greatly.

[SkyPilot]

I was just now wondering the same thing. I had planned to see the movie but now won’t.

I would earnestly urge you to change your mind. It is probably one of the most pro-conservative (and pro-American) movies to come out of Hollywood in a long time.

[SkyPilot]

And the apparent answer to your question: Million$ for Jolie. What else could it be?

I wonder if God is working on her?

Her father is a very strong and outspoken Christian.

When I read this piece, I thought "anytime someone prays to God, we should be thankful."

http://www.christianpost.com/news/angelina-jolie-dropped-to-her-knees-and-prayed-for-a-miracle-on-unbroken-film-set-after-taking-inspiration-from-christian-war-hero-130840/

Furthermore, her husband (Brad Pitt's) mother is a strong Christian. John Voight and her are very good friends. Their example could be a shining light to one of Hollywood's power couple.

Almost every Biblical hero (except Christ, who was completely sinless) had serious flaws. Noah who got drunk. Abraham who lied about his wife. Jacob who was a deceiver. Moses who murdered an Egyptian. Rahab who was a harlot. Samson who had serious problems with lust and anger. David who was an adulterer. Paul who persecuted the church. Peter who denied Christ.

[SkyPilot]

I understand the criticism.

I found this. Hopefully, it answers some of these questions:

Jolie recently spoke about her decision not to delve deeply into Zamperini's Christian faith walk in the film. She explained that it was the war hero himself who requested that the faith theme be "universal" in a bid to appeal to a broad audience. "We made it universal, not specific to one faith, and that was something that was agreed upon with Louie," Jolie said. "He said he wanted the message to reach everyone. He said to make faith and forgiveness universal … he said this is about reaching everyone and this should speak to everyone … If you were looking for symbolism and miracles in the film you will see them."

[Tucker39]

I hope you’re right. I knew about her Dad, but not her mother-in-law. However, if your scenario were correct, why would she omit Billy Graham’s influence and Louie’s Conversion story and illustrious post-conversion years from the flick?

[SkyPilot]

I hope you’re right. I knew about her Dad, but not her mother-in-law. However, if your scenario were correct, why would she omit Billy Graham’s influence and Louie’s Conversion story and illustrious post-conversion years from the flick?

see post#53 and the link to the article. It was Zamporini's desire to make the movie more universally appealing. Perhaps he knew the totality of the message would have been immediately dismissed and the movie avoided for being just a "Christian movie" and those who currently love darkness more than light would have not seen it for that reason. However, when Zamporini's story is delved into, the message of Christ and Salvation is all over the place.....interviews, even public addresses at Graham crusades dating back to 1958. As said, I would have included it in the movie, but I am CERTAIN that Zamporini prayed about this before agree to collaborate on the film.

[rrrod]

Saw the movie and enjoyed it. Friends that saw the movie also enjoyed it. While it may not have covered Graham/conversion to the extent to make some happy Id recommend it.

[Jane Austen]

You convinced me.

[Neoliberalnot]

I suggest you read up on Billy Graham and his impact.

[Neoliberalnot]

Anyone that has read the book would likely agree with you.

[Wyatt's Torch]

I read the book. Thought it was great. Met Zamperini at my church a few years ago. Amazing. Saw the movie and thought it was very well done. It was over two hours and short changed several things in the book before him even getting out of the camps. It could have been four hours and not enough. Go see the movie for what it is. A great story of survival and triumph of the human spirit.