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Unbroken, the 2014 war film directed by Angelina Jolie, originally premiered back in 2014, when audiences first got to experience the story of courageous prisoner of war Louis Zamperini (Jack O’Connell). Now, the hit film is available to watch on AMC, where it’s currently airing to a whole new audience of fans.
Zamperini’s story takes place largely during WWII, when he’s captured by Japanese soldiers and sent to Kwajalein Atoll. There, he’s subjected to especially cruel treatment at the hands of the prison commander. Unbroken wasn’t the first time Zamperini’s story was told — in 2010, it was the subject of Laura Hillenbrand’s book, which shares the same title as the film.
Curious to learn more about the story behind Unbroken? Here’s what you need to know about the events that inspired the film.
IS UNBROKEN BASED ON A TRUE STORY?
Yes, Unbroken is based on true events. Zamperini, who died in 2014 at age 97, was a very real person, and the film tells the true story of his capture and perseverance as a prisoner of war. Reporter Aisha Harris wrote in a Slate article the year the movie was released that Unbroken followed real events “quite closely,” although “a lot of details are left out from the 137-minute running time.”
Just like in Unbroken, Zamperini really was an Olympic track star before he enlisted. And like in the film, he and his crew crashed in the ocean while on a search mission, where they were later captured by Japanese forces. As for the brutal treatment Zamperini suffers in Unbroken, it sadly does line up with real life. As Harris points out in her piece, Zamperini and his fellow castaway were nursed back to health after being captured, but once they were in better condition, their conditions quickly went downhill, especially with the introduction of the real, cruel corporal Mutsuhiro ‘the Bird’ Watanabe.
While we know Zamperini was rescued on the joyous day the war finally ended, The Bird evaded capture by the American troops and was never prosecuted for his crimes, per Harris.
WHO STARS IN UNBROKEN?
Unbroken stars Jack O’Connell as Capt. Louis Zamperini, Domhnall Gleeson as Lt. Russell Phillips, Garrett Hedlund as Lt. Cmdr. John Fitzgerald, Miyavi as Sgt. Mutsuhiro “The Bird” Watanabe, Finn Wittrock as T-3 S/Sgt. Francis “Mac” McNamara, Jai Courtney as Lt. Charlton Hugh “Cup” Cupernell, Luke Treadaway as Miller, and more. The film comes from director Angelina Jolie and writers Joel and Ethan Coen.
WHERE CAN I WATCH UNBROKEN?
Looking to catch Unbroken? Right now, the drama is airing on AMC, but you can also watch the movie on VOD. Unbroken is currently available to rent on Prime Video, Vudu, iTunes, YouTube, and Google Play. You can also watch with a premium subscription to Fubo.
