i read the book but won’t see the movie...a Jewish friend of mine read the book as well as saw the movie and we were talking...i asked him how much of the movie focused on Billy Graham’s effect on Zamperini and my buddy was exasperated by how little the movie mentioned Graham...
The whole point of the book was Zamperini’s conversion at a Billy Graham crusade and his redemption and the message of hope in Christ.
So what is the point of the movie?
I think the point of the movie was: Forgiveness. This is what healed Louie after such an ordeal and that is Christ’s message.
Too bad Clint Eastwood didn’t produce it instead of Joilie.
Typical Hollywood stunt.
I’d like to see the film, but hubby is not keen on prisoner of war camp movies. Must be the Ret. SCPO in him.
Greta had Franklin Graham on last nite and had a special about his Christian life after the war. Franklin Graham is doing a film about his relationship and his father’s.
I read the book. There was quite a bit in it about his conversion and it was very moving. He began to truly live once he accepted Jesus.
Seriously, if you ever think you are having an extremely bad day in your life, think again. Read the book or watch the movie. You will immediately realize that your life is just fine and you have nothing to complain about. Our perceived problems are nothing compared to what Louie Zamperini and others, like him endured.
Lou Zamperini and Billy Graham — good read
For a movie done by Angelina Jolie, I was genuinely impressed by the amount of times that God was mentioned and credited for saving Zamperini.
As it compares to the book, I’m sure it was no where near, but I didn’t go into it with that expectation.
I’ve lost all respect for Billy Graham ever since he wholeheartedly said Hitlery would be a great president.
I assuming he was senile when he said it. If not, then he’s an absolute fool.
It was a decent movie for sure. I enjoyed it. I sorta see why it is not getting a bunch of awards though. I certainly don’t think hat Billy Graham is anywhere near the greatness of Mr. Zamperini and I am insulted if people believe that.
That was a crucial point in the book.
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.
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.