Unbroken (2014)

After a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before he's caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp.

Director:

Angelina Jolie

Writers:

Joel Coen (screenplay), Ethan Coen (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack O'Connell, Miyavi, Domhnall Gleeson

Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 14 wins & 29 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack O'Connell	...	Louis Zamperini
Domhnall Gleeson	...	Phil
Garrett Hedlund	...	Fitzgerald
Miyavi	...	Watanabe (as Takamasa Ishihara)
Finn Wittrock	...	Mac
Jai Courtney	...	Cup
Maddalena Ischiale	...	Louise
Vincenzo Amato	...	Anthony
John Magaro	...	Tinker
Luke Treadaway	...	Miller
Louis McIntosh	...	Harris
Ross Anderson	...	Blackie
C.J. Valleroy	...	Young Louie
John D'Leo	...	Young Pete
Alex Russell	...	Older Pete

Storyline

The life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who joined the armed forces during the second world war. Only to be captured by the Japanese navy after a plane crash in the Pacific. During his capture, Louie must continue his fight by surviving through the war.

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Plot Keywords:

plane crash | torture | prisoner of war | emaciation | prison camp | 

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Taglines:

The unbelievable true story.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Sport | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for war violence including intense sequences of brutality, and for brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese Italian

Release Date:

25 December 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Unbroken

Filming Locations:

Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$65,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,621,445, 28 December 2014, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$115,637,895, 14 March 2015

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$161,459,297, 14 March 2015

Company Credits

Production Co:

3 Arts Entertainment,Jolie Pas,Legendary Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Digital SDDS Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It was widely thought that Louie Zamperini would be the first man to break the barrier for the first sub 4 minute mile. History stepped in the way however and that barrier was not broken until Roger Bannister did it in 1954.

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Goofs

The Tokyo radio station JOAK also had the call sign WVTR. This did not occur until after the allied occupation as WVTR was an US armed forces call sign and did indeed take over JOAK.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Phil: [in cockpit] We are here.
Cup: [over radio] At 8,000 feet. This is it, boys.
Phil: [over radio] You got it, Zamp?
Louis Zamperini: [dialing in bombing scope] Roger.
Lambert: You hit this one, drinks are on me.
Louis Zamperini: I ain't going to a bar with you, handsome. You confuse all the broads.
Mac: [wolf-whistles]
Phil: Get your cameras, boys. I'm gonna light it up like Christmas.

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Connections

Referenced in Nostalgia Critic: Care Bears Nutcracker Suite (2014)

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Soundtracks

Surprise Mac Attack
Written by Alexandre Desplat

User Reviews

A good introduction to the book

I never compare books and movies, but one thing the book has over the movie was the distinct unpreparedness we had for war. The planes were flying deathtraps, and the supplies were totally inadequate.

Angelina Jolie had to make decisions about what to include and exclude in a two-hour film, so we missed a lot of important information that was in the book. No matter, the film itself was well worth watching. Not a great film, but entertaining.

If you want to be shocked and angered at the aircraft manufacturers, the military that failed to supply the troops ( where have we heard that before?), and the absolute barbarity of the Japanese in their prison camps, buy the book.

Come to think about it, watching the film will help you appreciate the book so much more.