The momentum for the release of Angelina Jolie's 'Unbroken' on December 25 is building and the cinemagoing public will no doubt include many Christians.
Louis Zamperini, who passed away this year at the age of 97 from pneumonia, was a much loved World War II hero who survived a plane crash, 47 days on a life raft on the Pacific Ocean, and torture at the hands of the Japanese in a prisoner of war camp.
Shattered by his experience, even after his liberation he remained traumatised by nightmares and turned to drink.
But in the midst of huge internal anguish, he found a faith that was to sustain him for the rest of his life.
His wife became a born again Christian after attending a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles and soon after, Zamperini reluctantly agreed to go along to another of the famous evangelist's crusades in 1949. He heard the Gospel and against his expectations, he became a Christian.
It was a massive turning point for Zamperini as it was through his new found faith that he was able to forgive his captors and tormentors, and the nightmares that had plagued him before disappeared.
Zamperini would spend the rest of his years sharing his story as a Christian inspirational speaker.
Jolie became determined to bring the film to the big screen after reading the best-selling book "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand.
Some Christians have been critical that the film version touches only lightly on the Christian faith that was so integral to Zamperini.
MovieGuide's Ted Baehr said a few months back that this was a mistake: "The great story is that he got out of his anger problem (with PTSD) by coming to Christ."
However, Jolie addressed these concerns at a recent press conference in which she said that it was Zamperini's will that the film be "universal" and speak to all people, The Christian Post reports.
"We made it universal, not specific to one faith, and that was something that was agreed upon with Louie," Jolie said.
"He said he wanted the message to reach everyone ... he said this is about reaching everyone and this should speak to everyone."
Jolie was sad to announce by video on Friday that she is having to sit out the Unbroken premiere and promotional events because she has come down with chicken pox.
