well-dressed American personnel taking part in this kind of collaboration with the Japanese. When Louis declines, he is sent back to the camp. The Bird sets out to punish Louis. One punishment involves other prisoners punching Louis in the face. When the camp comes under attack, the prisoners are moved to a coal production facility and told to work or be killed. Louis spends weeks at the camp, but when he rests briefly, he is taken away to be punished. The Bird orders Louis to hold a large beam over his head under threat of death. Louis endures for 37 minutes and stares down the Bird until the Bird snaps and severely beats Louis. As the war comes to an end, the camp guards scatter and American planes drop food and other supplies to the POWs. Eventually, Louis returns to the United States. Upon his return to the United States, Louis kisses the ground. Louis is reunited with his family. He meets Cynthia Applewhite; they marry after knowing each other for two months. They have a daughter. However, traumatized by his wartime ordeal, without a career, and unable to pursue his love of running, Louis becomes an alcoholic. Cynthia seeks a divorce. When evangelist Billy Graham comes to town, Cynthia convinces Louis to attend a revival meeting. There Louis recalls his bargain while lost at sea and the bargain that he made with God. Louis is inspired to turn his life around, which saves his marriage. Over time, Louis forgives all who wronged him during WWII. Louis returns to Japan where he locates and makes peace with many of his former tormentors. When the Bird refuses to meet him, Louis sends him a letter to express his forgiveness. Louis takes part in the torch relay for the 1998 Olympic Winter Games in Nagano. As a gesture of reconciliation and resilience, Louis carries the torch past one of the locations where he was once imprisoned. Character list Louis Zamperini: Olympic middle distance runner (1936) who becomes a POW during World War II. Pete Zamperini: Louis Zamperini's older brother, his role model and first running coach. Louise Zamperini: Louis’ mother, who refuses to give up on Louis for dead. Anthony Zamperini: Louis’ father, depicted as a disciplinarian. Sylvia Zamperini: One of Louis’ two sisters. Virginia Zamperini: One of Louis’ two sisters. Glenn Cunningham: An athlete who serves as one of Louis’ biggest