Human faith is tested in ‘Unbroken’

MANILA, Philippines- Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie directs and produces “Unbroken,” an epic drama that follows the incredible life of Olympian and war hero Louis “Louie” Zamperini.

He survived in a raft for 47 days after a near-fatal plane crash during World War II—only to be caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a series of prisoner-of-war camps.

Adapted from Laura Hillenbrand's enormously popular book, “Unbroken” brings to the big screen Louie Zamperini’s unbelievable and inspiring true story about triumph over tribulation and the resilient power of the human spirit.

Set against the backdrop of a world teetering on the brink of collapse in the Pacific Theater of World War II, “Unbroken” follows the journey of Louie from a carefree young scoundrel to a battle-weary-yet-defiant POW who becomes a beacon of hope for a nation mired in global conflict.

His tale, but a single page in the voluminous story of the brothers-in-arms who fought and turned the tide of 20th-century history, is one of tragedy to triumph—epitomizing what it means to fight one’s way out of darkness and into the light.

Starring alongside Jack O’Connell in this gripping saga are Domhnall Gleeson and Finn Wittrock as Capt. Russell Allen “Phil” Phillips and Sgt. Francis “Mac” McNamara—the airmen with whom Zamperini endured perilous weeks adrift in the open Pacific.

Playing the fellow military men who find an unexpected camaraderie during their time in the air or in their difficult POW internments together are Garrett Hedlund as Cmdr. John Fitzgerald, Jai Courtney as Hugh “Cup” Cuppernell, John Magaro as Frank Tinker, Luke Treadaway as Miller and Ross Anderson as Blackie. In his English-language feature debut, Japanese actor Miyavi portrays the merciless camp guard Cpl. Mutsuhiro Watanabe, known to the men he ruled over as “The Bird.”

In bringing Unbroken to the screen, Jolie leads an accomplished behind-the-scenes crew that includes 11-time Academy Award®-nominated cinematographer Roger Deakins, production designer Jon Hutman, editors Tim Squyres and Oscar® winner William Goldenberg, costume designer Louise Frogley and composer Alexandre Desplat.

The screenplay for Unbroken is by Oscar winners Joel Coen & Ethan Coen and Richard Lagravanese and William Nicholson.

Opening across the Philippines on February 18, “Unbroken” is distributed by United International Pictures.