The story of Olympian and war veteran Louis Zamperini is one of resilience and perseverance.
He is the subject of Angelina Jolie’s latest directorial project, “Unbroken.” After being in development since 1957, Louis’ life story is finally being told on the big screen.
“His whole life was all about the lessons he learned from the resilience of the human spirit. He always tried to be inspirational and help others, but he always wanted to do it through a film and he’s waited 50 years and now this is that moment,” Angelina said.
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As a member of Team USA, the runner met Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games and then went on to become a World War II hero.
“300: Rise of an Empire’s'” Jack O’Connell takes on the starring role, depicting Louis’ survival skills while he was lost at sea for 47 days and as a prisoner of war in Japan. The United States thought he had died and his parents even received a condolence letter from President Franklin Roosevelt.
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Before passing away on July 2 at the age of 97 from pneumonia, Louis screened portions of the film with Angelina during his hospitalization.
“Unbroken” opens in theaters on Christmas.
— Paige Feigenbaum
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