Rizal Philippines
February 21, 2016.
I saw a long movie this week entitled "Unbroken" produced and directed by Angelina Jolie. It was made in the year 2000 and grossed about $160 million. It is based on a true story, a book written by Laura Hillerbrand of the same title "Unbroken, A World War II story of Survival, Redemption, and Resilience."
The story revolves around Louie Zamperini who became an Olympic athlete because his brother motivated him because of this saying, " If you can take it, you can live it" He was trained by his brother Phil. He qualified for the Berlin summer Olympics, coming in 8th and setting a world record on the final lap.
He joins the Air Force and became a crew of a bomber. He had a mishap all ready his plane crash landing after a bombing run. The repaired plane which they flew again crashed into the ocean after developing engine trouble. Only 3 of them: Phil, Mac and Louie survived floating for 47 days. The third one Mac eventually died. One day, thinking that it was friendly plane they signalled it and was promptly strafed. It was a Jap plane. They were eventually rescued by the Japanese and eventually became POW. They were beaten etc and treated as prisoners.
will be treated accordingly"
Louie turned up in Tokyo camp where the commanding officer, Mituhiro "Bird"Watanabe and he took special interest in Louie because of being a former Olympian. Punishment was often physical and psychological. Louie was released from the camp after he agreed to broadcasting to US about conditions of POW camps. He agreed to a neutral first broadcast. But when he was forced to read a prepared anti US speech. he was eventually sent back to prison. Louie was punished by having each of the officer of the camp punch Louie in the face. Bird was eventually promoted and transferred to another prison.
Their camp was destroyed during a US bombing raid, and their group was transferred up north to coal processing facility where to the dismay of other the head was Bird. Bird again punished Louie more brutally hitting him often with a bamboo stick. At one point he was asked to lift a 12 x 3 x 48 wood plank which as you may guess too heavy. Bird Watanabe asked him to lift this and lift this over his head. The "If you can take it, you can live it rang in his ears" and he was able to lift the plank When he did it he looked at Watanabe which was prohibited. Watanabe beat Louie again. This time it was Watanabe after the beating. Louie was unbroken
