Review + Giveaway: "Unbroken: Path to Redemption"

Remember the story of Louis Zamperini? If you've read the book Unbroken, you probably know the whole story. But if you've only seen the movie? Well, that ended with a large portion of Zamperini's story yet untold! Unbroken: Path to Redemption picks up where Unbroken left off, and as soon as I heard about it, I knew I wanted to know (as Paul Harvey would say) "the rest of the story."

(Be sure to read to the end of my review to see how you can win free tickets to Unbroken: Path to Redemption!)

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After surviving a plane crash, weeks of floating on a makeshift raft in the Pacific, and then years of torture as a prisoner of war, Louis Zamperini finally returns home to California, seemingly unbroken.

When the war ended, his battle began. 

Based on Laura Hillenbrand’s bestselling book, UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION begins where the hit movie Unbroken concludes, continuing the unbelievable true story of Olympian and World War II hero Louis Zamperini. 

Haunted by nightmares of his torment, Louie sees himself as anything but a hero. Despite battling demons, anger, and alcohol, Louie feels obligated to participate in an Army tour to raise money for War Bonds. But as he focuses more on hotel bars than his public appearances, Louie is ordered to take R&R on the beaches of Miami. 

There, he meets Cynthia, a young woman who captures his eye—and his heart. After a whirlwind courtship, the couple weds and moves to Los Angeles. 

While pursuing every avenue of hope he can find—from trying to reestablish himself as a world-class runner to get-rich-quick investment opportunities—Louie’s wrathful quest for revenge drives him deeper into despair ... and the bottle. 

Hopeless and on the brink of divorce, Cynthia experiences Billy Graham’s 1949 Los Angeles Crusade where she finds faith in God and a renewed commitment to her marriage and her husband. Now, her most fervent prayer is for God to help Louie find the peace and forgiveness he so desperately needs. 

From the producer of Unbroken and the writer of A River Runs Through It, UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION stars Samuel Hunt (Louis), Merritt Patterson (Cynthia), David Sakurai (Watanabe, ͞The Bird͟), and Will Graham as his grandfather, Billy Graham. In theaters this fall, UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION brings to life the rest of Louis Zamperini’s powerful real-life story of forgiveness, redemption, and amazing grace.

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I was able to watch Unbroken: Path to Redemption early, and let me just tell you, you want to see this movie!

Most of the film deals with Louie Zamperini's home life after the war. He is clearly dealing with PTSD and alcoholism, and his life quickly spirals out of control. He makes some positive strides after meeting and marrying Cynthia, but it becomes clear that he's headed for rock bottom and a probable divorce. Then Cynthia attends a Billy Graham tent meeting. She convinces Louie to go with her to another meeting, that's where he meets Jesus Christ and his life is forever changed.

This film contains powerful themes of forgiveness, and it's when Louie forgives his Japanese captors at the end that the film is at its most moving.

Though the movie does seem a bit slow in the middle (and there are some bizarre lucid dreams—or something—while Louie's dealing with PTSD), the story is inspiring and affecting.

A few things to watch/listen for:

• Merritt Patterson shines as Cynthia, Louie's wife. Hallmark Channel fans will recognize her from her starring roles in romance films. She's given a much meatier role here, and she rises to the occasion.
• Brandon Roberts' score is gorgeous. I'm a bit of a movie score nerd, and this is one I'd love to add to my collection.
• Be sure to stay for the credits to watch an interview with Louie in his later years talking about forgiveness.

Unbroken: Path to Redemption releases September 14, and it's definitely worth watching! 4 stars.

I'm so glad I got to watch this film, and now I'm going to help one of you see it! I have two Fandango ticket codes to give away to a reader: one for you, and one for a friend. Enter through the Rafflecopter below.

Giveaway rules: Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.