Louie's Life Before the War
What sport did Louie become famous for?
Running (track)
What type of plane did Louie and his crew fly?
B-24 bomber (also called the “Flying Coffin”)
What nickname did Louie give to the cruel prison guard?
“The Bird” (Mutsuhiro Watanabe)
True or False: The movie shows Louie's full post-war recovery journey.
False – The movie ends shortly after Louie returns home; the book continues into his post-war struggles and redemption
What quality helps Louie survive both at sea and in captivity?
Resilience (or inner strength/perseverance)
What bad habit did Louie have as a child that got him into trouble?
Stealing (especially food) and fighting
What was the name of the rescue plane that crashed into the Pacific?
The Green Hornet
What physical punishment did Louie receive when he refused to cooperate with a Japanese propaganda film?
He was severely beaten and starved; forced to hold a heavy beam
In the movie, what symbolic object does Louie lift to defy The Bird’s authority?
A large wooden plank or beam
What does the ocean symbolize during Louie’s journey?
Isolation, danger, and the vast unknown of survival
What Olympic event did Louie run in 1936?
The 5,000-meter race
How many days did Louie survive at sea on a life raft?
47 days
What was the name of the most brutal POW camp Louie was sent to?
Naoetsu
What major part of Louie's life is explored more in the book than in the movie?
His post-war struggles with PTSD, alcoholism, and eventual forgiveness
Why is forgiveness a major theme in Unbroken?
Louie chose to forgive his captors after becoming a Christian, showing how forgiveness heals trauma
How did Louie trick the guards at the 1936 Olympics to get more food?
He climbed into the dining cars on the train and stole food
Who were the two men Louie survived with on the raft?
Phil (Russell Phillips) and Mac (Francis McNamara)
What psychological tactic did "The Bird" use to break Louie’s spirit?
Isolation, favoritism followed by punishment, humiliation
Which scene was added or dramatized in the movie to increase emotional tension?
The scene where Louie defiantly stares down The Bird while lifting the beam (extended for dramatic effect)
How does Louie’s running become a symbol throughout the book and movie?
Running is a metaphor for endurance and identity—it connects his past to his strength in captivity
What promise did Louie make to himself while stranded at sea that connected back to his childhood?
To give up drinking and dedicate his life to God if he survived
What did Louie and Phil use to collect rainwater while on the raft?
Tins (from survival kits) and their hands/clothing to funnel water
What act of resistance did Louie perform to defy his captors (featured prominently in the movie)?
He lifted a heavy wooden beam over his head and held it for 37 minutes despite torture
How does the tone of the ending differ between the movie and the book?
The movie ends more triumphantly; the book adds deeper reflection on trauma and healing
What does the plank Louie lifts in the movie represent symbolically?
His defiance, resilience, and refusal to be broken—symbol of mental strength over physical suffering