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Unbroken

Unbroken is a 2014 American war drama film directed by Angelina Jolie.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Unbroken is a 2014 American war drama film directed by Angelina Jolie. It is based on Laura Hillenbrand’s nonfiction book about the life of Olympian and World War II prisoner of war Louis Zamperini. The film tells the wartime story of Zamperini, an American Olympian and Army officer, who survives for 47 days adrift at sea after his plane crashes in the Pacific and is later captured by Japanese forces.

Plot and subject

Unbroken dramatizes the World War II experiences of Louis Zamperini, from his athletic background to his military service, plane crash, survival at sea, and imprisonment in Japanese POW camps.

Production

The film was directed by Angelina Jolie and written by Joel and Ethan Coen, Richard LaGravenese, and William Nicholson. It was adapted from Laura Hillenbrand’s nonfiction book about Zamperini’s life.

Release and reception

Unbroken was released in the United States on December 25, 2014. It performed well commercially and received attention for its wartime survival story and historical subject matter.

Legacy

The film was followed by the 2018 sequel Unbroken: Path to Redemption, which continued the story associated with Zamperini’s life and legacy.

Key facts

  • Unbroken is a 2014 biographical war drama directed by Angelina Jolie.
  • The film is based on Laura Hillenbrand’s nonfiction book about Louis Zamperini.
  • Zamperini survives 47 days at sea after a plane crash and is imprisoned in Japanese POW camps.
  • The film was a commercial success, grossing about $163 million worldwide.
  • A sequel, Unbroken: Path to Redemption, was released in 2018.
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Canadian context

The film had international distribution and is relevant to Canadian viewers as a widely released World War II biographical drama, though it is not specifically about Canadian history.

Frequently asked questions

What is Unbroken about?
It is a biographical war drama about Louis Zamperini, focusing on his survival after a plane crash and his imprisonment during World War II.
Who directed Unbroken?
Angelina Jolie directed the film.
What is Unbroken based on?
It is based on Laura Hillenbrand’s nonfiction book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.
When was Unbroken released?
It was released in the United States on December 25, 2014.
Who plays Louis Zamperini?
Jack O'Connell plays Louis Zamperini.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbroken_(film)
    Supports: Basic film facts including director, cast, source material, plot, release year, and box office
  2. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/unbroken_2014
    Supports: Release date, genre, rating, and plot summary
  3. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1809398/
    Supports: Plot summary and principal cast
  4. Netflixhttps://www.netflix.com/title/70305949
    Supports: Basic synopsis, cast, and genre
  5. Movie Insiderhttps://www.movieinsider.com/m8478/unbroken
    Supports: Release date and adaptation from Laura Hillenbrand's book