Unbroken
2014 — 2h 17min — PG-13 — Biography, WW2, Sport
Director
Angelina Jolie
Writers
Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Richard LaGravenese, William Nicholson
Actors
Jack O'Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Miyavi
Synopsis
Louie Zamperini, once a troubled boy, discovers a passion for running that leads him to the 1936 Olympics. During WWII, his plane crashes in the Pacific. After 47 days adrift, he is captured by the Japanese and placed in a brutal POW camp.
Based on a true story.
Redemptive Analogy
Unbroken embodies Christian themes of suffering, redemption, and forgiveness. Louie Zamperini’s endurance illustrates Jesus’ teaching that suffering can lead to glory. Louie’s ultimate act of forgiveness echoes Christ’s call to love our enemies.
Conversation Starters
In your own words, ask a few of these questions during the natural conversation after the movie.
1.
A Mother’s Prayers
We see Louie’s mother praying after he gets into trouble early in the movie. Do you think she ever stopped praying for her son? Do you know of anyone who might be praying for you like this?
Possible Response
The Bible is full of mothers praying for their children. James teaches us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16, NIV) Prayer changes things. (Matt 7:7, 21:22; Mark 11:24; Luke 11:9; John 15:7) Be encouraged that God hears and responds your prayers.
2.
Believing Lies
Early in the movie, Louie tells his brother, “I’m not like you, I’m nothing.” Later in the movie, after losing a foot race to a prison guard, The Bird tells Louie, “You fail. You are nothing.” These are lies. What is the truth?
Possible Response
How can you be “nothing” if God loves you so much? (John 3:16) God awesomely and wonderfully made you. (Ps 139:13-14, NASB) Jesus knows you so well he knows the number of hairs on your head. (Matt 10:30) Although your sin brings death, he offers you eternal life. (Rom 6:23)
3.
The Purpose of Life
After being adrift for 18 days, Louie asks Phil, “So you think there’s some kind of a grand plan? Why did we live and the others didn’t? Why are we here now?” How would you answer?
Possible Response
Christians believe these are the “grand plan” reasons they exist:
Created to honor God (1 Peter 2:9)
Build a personal connection with God (Acts 8:15-16)
Do good things that benefit others (Eph 2:10)
Grow spiritually, showing positive changes in their lives (John 15:8)
Help others learn about Jesus and follow His teachings (Matt 28:19-20)
4.
Desperate Pleading
In a moment of desperation, Louie tells God, “If you get me through this, if you answer my prayers, I swear I’ll dedicate my whole life to you. I’ll do whatever you want… Please.” Have you ever reached that point?
Possible Response
God honors moments of decision like Louie’s. If appropriate, consider sharing your testimony. If someone in your group has experienced such a moment, encourage them and ask careful follow-up questions about how God works through desperate prayers and moments of surrender.
5.
Taking the Hit
The Bird requires each prisoner to punch Louie in the face, or another prisoner, Lt. Garrett, would be beaten to death. Imagine you were Lt. Garrett; how would you feel about Louie after that ordeal?
Possible Response
In this scene, Louie is beaten to spare the life of Lt. Garrett. From a Gospel perspective, this reflects how Jesus took the punishment we deserved. Just as Louie took the beating in Garrett’s place, Jesus took the eternal punishment for our sins. (2 Cor 5:21, Rom 5:6-8, 1 Peter 2:24, Matt 20:28)
6.
“Pick up”
At the end of the movie, The Bird enacts his final act of cruelty requiring Louie to pick up a heavy plank of wood under the threat of death. Where do you find the strength to face your trials?
Possible Response
While your trials may differ from Louie’s, they are real. As a Christian, you can trust that God has a purpose for your trials. Relying on His strength and not your own, you can endure knowing that these momentary troubles prepare you for an eternal glory. (2 Cor 4:17-18)
7.
The End
When they announce, “The war has come to a point of cessation,” the prisoners knew, “This is it.” They were going to execute the prisoners rather than let them be rescued. If you knew today was your final day, do you know where you would be tomorrow?
Possible Response
Pray for a natural way to share how you first put your faith in Jesus and, because of what He did on the cross, you know where you’ll be after you die. (Rom 10:9, 1 Peter 3:15)
8.
Love Your Enemies
Early in the movie, a priest teaches the young Louie, “Love thine enemy.” In the closing credits, we learn, “Louie came to see that the way forward was not revenge, but forgiveness.” Could you have forgiven The Bird?
Possible Response
Forgiving someone like The Bird is hard, even for Christians. Yet, Jesus calls us to love and forgive our enemies. (Matt 5:44) True forgiveness, as seen in Louie's journey, requires time, spiritual growth, and reliance on God's strength, following Jesus' example. (Matt 18:21-22, Rom 12:17-18)
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