Unbroken By Laura Hillenbrand: Movie Analysis

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand recounts Louis Zamperini’s struggles in early-life, the Pacific Theater, and post-war life, as well as his persistence to triumph over such obstacles. Hillenbrand’s novel has also become a major motion picture, which also goes by the same name. Although, both the film and novel contain key struggles that Louis had to overcome, the film focuses more on Louis’ experience while the novel delves deep into Zamperini’s story and takes into consideration many of his friends and foes.
Louis was a troubled boy, one with a burning defiance and one whose demeanor would define him in the many years to come. In the film, Zamperini is portrayed as an untamable troublemaker who is given a second chance by competing in track. In
He is portrayed as being punished every single day. The film never displayed the good things that Louis experienced while enduring hell. In the book Louis meets a friendly guard named Kawaruma. When Louis first met the Kawamura he felt an “upswell of dread” because he assumed that this new guard would assert his authority. To Louis’ surprise Kawaruma didn’t instead Kawaruma attempted friendly conversation with Louis and gave him candy (191). One instance when Kawaruma’s shift ended a new guard came and beat Louis leaving him bloody. Kawaruma asked for the man who beat Louis. A few days later Louis saw what Kawaruma did to the guard that beat him, he was left bandaged up from forehead to mouth (191).
Unbroken is the story of Louis Zamperini and his struggle for survival and his will to not give in. The story follows Louis through his defiant childhood, the Pacific Theater, and his life after the war. Hillenbrand’s book has come to life as a movie and follows the same storyline as the book. Despite having the same storyline the movie puts more focus on Louis’ experience and forgets to mention many other experiences and characters during his