Jolie’s Part I depicts an overview of Louie’s juvenile delinquency with very little of the specifics found in Hillenbrand’s book. Likewise, Louie’s track career and time at USC are presented mostly in montage and quick flashes. Jimmie Sasaki, Louie’s college friend and undercover spy, is eliminated completely from the film. […]

Read more Biography “Versus” Film Adaptation

Analysis The epilogue of Hillenbrand’s biography serves as both the closing section and the final evidence that she has written a true, historically accurate account. In wrapping up the details of the lives of Louie and Cynthia Zamperini, “Phil” Phillips, Bill Harris, and Mutsuhiro Watanabe, she provides verifiable facts that […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Epilogue

Analysis According to Louie and Hillenbrand, Louie’s spiritual redemption becomes both the motivation and the strength for him to finally break his addiction to alcohol and to save his marriage. (Louie and Cynthia stayed married to each other for the rest of their lives.) The real power of Louie’s redemption, […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part V Chapter 39: Daybreak

Analysis Redemption has been a constant theme in the life of Louie Zamperini. As a boy, he was redeemed from juvenile delinquency by athletics, with Pete playing the role of “savior.” As an aimless young man, he was redeemed with new purpose in military service. Lost in an ocean “purgatory,” […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part V Chapter 38: A Beckoning Whistle

Analysis Louie’s spiritual and emotional torment grows only worse. The Bird was an ever-present evil during Louie’s captivity. Now, after the war’s end, The Bird still haunts the former POW’s thoughts and dreams. Like many lost souls, Louie directs his anger toward the trappings of God. He divorces himself from […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part V Chapter 37: Twisted Ropes

Analysis The postwar life of The Bird is interesting in that it doesn’t provide satisfying closure or any lasting judgment of the human embodiment of the figurative devil who wrecked Louie Zamperini’s life. The Bird escapes justice, living a quiet and simple life in rural Japan. He’s named a war […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part V Chapter 36: The Body on the Mountain

Analysis In this chapter, Hillenbrand focuses her authorial role as journalist and historian by documenting the postwar lives of former POWs in America. The recitations of facts here serve as more evidence of her strict insistence on retelling the true story of Louie Zamperini’s life and on her desire to […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part V Chapter 35: Coming Undone

Analysis You can take the POW out of captivity, but you can’t take captivity out of the POW. Freed from The Bird’s clutches, Louie tries to make a new life for himself back in America. That new life includes the hope of “happily ever after” with a beautiful young wife, […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part V Chapter 34: The Shimmering Girl

Analysis Louie’s physical redemption is a joyous occasion. Freedom and a hero’s welcome await Louie in California. Best of all, for the first time in years, Louie can fill his stomach with an abundance of food. This is both a physical and emotional grace for the former POW. Louie’s liberation […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part IV Chapter 33: Mother’s Day

Analysis American fighter jets become a symbol of joy and prosperity for Louie and his fellow POWs. Like mighty warrior angels flying overhead, the mere sight of them is enough to cow the enemies that surround Louie on the ground. The prisoners take over Naoetsu without a fight. The fighter […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part IV Chapter 32: Cascades of Pink Peaches