Unbroken Movie: One Perspective on World War II

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This post, Unbroken Movie: One Perspective on World War II, was made possible with the chance to review the Unbroken Legacy of Faith Edition from FishFlix.com as part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew.

Learning about history, especially time periods like World War II, is something that our family enjoys.  Documentaries can be a great way to do this, but sometimes have less of an ability to hold the boys attention.  Instead, a well constructed movie which showcases an aspect of the time period including conflict is more likely to have an impact upon them. The Unbroken movie was already on our list for future viewing when we were given the opportunity to review it from FishFlix.com. 

Unbroken is the story of Louis Zamperini, just one soldier among many who were sent overseas during World War II to serve the United States and take a stand for our freedom.   As a child, he was a taunted by other kids for being different (son of Italian immigrants), adopted reckless behaviors and was on the fast road to trouble.  His older brother saw something he didn’t and encouraged him to join the track team at school which eventually led to him being on the United States Olympic team in 1936 (Berlin, Germany.)  The training he endured as an athlete would come to help him live through the brutality he experienced in a Japanese camp.

Louis was deployed to the Pacific front for his service.  Even though their plane had received what most would consider significant damage, the crew was told it had been cleared for flight and they were sent on a search and rescue mission.  Unfortunately, the plane had more problems than realized and ended up crashing into the ocean killing all but 3 of the crew.  By the time a Japanese vessel intercepted the life rafts (47 days post crash which was a record), one of the initial survivors had died.

At this point, you learn just how brutal life was for those soldiers taken hostage in the battle.  Louis’ faith would continue to be tested throughout his time as a prisoner of war.  Remembering the words of his brother also helped him endure. 

“If I can take it, I can make it.”

We were sent the Legacy of Faith Edition of Unbroken which is a little different than versions purchased at other retailers.  For one thing, a scene which I’d read about in a parental guidance section for a review of the movie indicated there was full nudity with just hands covering private parts.  Because of that one scene, I told my almost 7th grader that he could not watch the film until I had. The edition had blurred spots fully covering both front and back so that while you knew they were naked there wasn’t anything visible to offend younger eyes.

This edition also included a disc of special features:

~Coming Full Circle—Louie’s Exclusive CBN Interview
~Louie & Laurie—Pastor Greg Laurie Interviews Louie Zamperini
~Captured By Grace—The Billy Graham Evangelical Association and Louie Zamperini Gives An Inspirational Message Of Faith
~Angelina & Louie—Angelina Jolie Talks With Louie About The Faith That Sustained Him

So far, it is only my older teens and I that watched the film.  Now that I know the one scene that I was not wanting my 6th grader to watch has been altered, I’ll be allowing him to watch it over the summer.  As the movie is just over 2 hours, it will be perfect for a rainy day or during a long ride in the RV for summer travels. He just finished learning about World War II this spring and really enjoys programming that covers that time period.  My 6 year old will have to wait a little while before he’s permitted to see Unbroken, even if he thinks he’s turning 13.

As an American, I feel indebted to the men and women like Louis Zamperini who have chosen to serve our country in the armed forces. As a parent and good natured human being, I am appalled by how brutal people can treat each other.  And, as a Christian, I find stories like this one to be inspirational and show that faith can carry you through trials you never imagined.

I hope that watching this movie provides some inspiration for my own children to push harder to overcome adversity and to always rely on God for the strength needed to do so.  I can say that both teens really enjoyed the movie, which sometimes is the starting place for further discussion, reflection and growth. Finally, I am grateful for companies like FishFlix.com who are embracing media and using it to help spread God’s message.

 

 

 

Do your kids or family enjoy watching movies which are biographical?

Is World War II a time period of study for your children or something the family just enjoys learning more about?

How do you enter into discussions with the kids on how faith can sustain you through trials?

Don’t just take my word for how we found this to be. Visit the FishFlix.com Review post on the Schoolhouse Review Crew website to see what other homeschooling parents thought about this and other self-paced courses.