As a special Christmas treat, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will release a new documentary film on December 25 called "Louis Zamperini: Captured by Grace."
Zamperini was an Olympic runner who became a prisoner of war during World War II. He managed to return home safely, then encountered Jesus Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade in Los Angeles in 1949. The documentary to be released on Christmas day will feature actual interviews with Zamperini, who narrated his journey to faith:
"I started to leave the tent meeting, and I felt awful guilty about my life. Yes, I had a lot of great times, a lot of great experience, a lot of escape from death, but I still didn't like my life after the war. I came home alive. God kept His promise. I didn't keep mine, and so I went forward and accepted Christ," he said.
"The heart of this story is when I found Christ as my Savior," Zamperini added. "That's the heart of my whole life."
He passed away earlier this year but still continues to inspire others with his story. Captured by Grace will be available online starting December 25, and will also be in DVD format for those who wish to offer any contribution to the association. For more information, visit www.billygraham.org/unbroken.
Zamperini is also the subject of Angelina Jolie's film Unbroken, based on the best-selling novel by by Laura Hillenbrand.