"Unbroken" is the true story of an Olympic athlete Louis Zamperini, and his experiences during World War Two. It is the first film to be directed by Angelina Jolie and her inexperience behind the camera shows through despite being quite a large budget production. Much of the film consists of war film clichés and draws directly on other similar films. As a result you do get the feeling that you have seen it all before, and at over two hours in length this can be a long haul to get to the end.

Some of the special effects are nice, especially the shots of the Liberator bombers, although clearly CGI. But these early scenes don't come across as authentic as those from "Memphis Belle" - no radio / oxygen masks, no bulky parachutes, and the bomber crews shoot down an unrealistic number of Japanese Zero's. Later scenes in the movie resemble any number of World War 2 films with men in a raft, men captured and brutalised by the Japanese, etc. It's not that they are badly shot, just that there is nothing original in the way they are shot.

Jack O'Connell does a decent enough job as the lead but his appearance seems somewhat inconsistent - he goes from emaciated to healthy to emaciated again in just a few scenes. The supporting cast are all portrayed almost as cardboard cut outs, from evil leering Japanese soldiers to plucky British officers. When revisiting old ground like this it would be nice if Angelina Jolie had managed to find a way to do so a little differently to all the films that have gone before, but sadly she hasn't.

While the story itself is remarkable the way it is told here is not. There is nothing here to really make this film stand out and it pales in comparison to some of the films that have gone before. This is a by the numbers war movie with no real inspiration.

This is based on the true story of Olympic Gold Medalist Louie Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) and his internment in a Japanese POW camp. As a POW war film, it wasn't as good as many of the fictional offerings. The intent of the film was to be inspirational. Louie lived by the motto, "If I can take it, I can make it," not my first choice for a life motto. Apparently it is his spirit that was "Unbroken" as they broke his body and damaged his mind. He was held captive by "The Bird" (Takamasa Ishihara) a man who talked to Louie like a dysfunctional lover saying, "Don't look at me." to the point nausea.

At one point the troops are moved and as a bombardier, Louie had to personally see the damaged his kind caused, but there was no emotional, "what have we done" scene. In fact at the end, he credits his faith as carrying him through his internment and surviving enhanced interrogation techniques, yet we see minimal evidence of that while he was imprisoned.

It is a film that fails to convey the message that was in the book, except as a post script. At one point I had a Mel Brooks moment and thought what a great musical this could be using the songs, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, and "Working in a Coal Mine." My bad. This was a limited inspirational adaptation.

Guide: No f-bombs, or sex. Male rear nudity.

What an amazing story. I was gripped from start to finish by this factually based film. A relatively unknown cast, but the deprivation and brutality of Japanese POW was depicted with compassion. Thoughtful characterisation and a truly inspirational individual. Films like this deserve to be blockbusters rather than much of the current rubbish.

Was expecting better. Some will disagree but I felt that this film was poorly directed. I felt that a lot of the acting was very wooden and it seems Jack O'Connell seems to get parts where there is very little dialogue. This is not a problem if you have a big personality but he most certainly does not and I felt that the character he plays and the film itself just plods along. I think there are sections of this film that could easily have been edited down quite a bit and other parts that needed a a kick up the backside to get some real feeling into the actors. As I say others will disagree but I've seen a lot better in both directing and acting.

The film is based upon a true story - The Story of 'Louis Zamperini'
'Louis' (Jack O'Connell) is a member of a U.S Bomber Crew during WW2.
Early on he reflects upon his early life during which he could have taken a very different path, however his brother encouraged him
to be all that he could be, and we, if but briefly follow his journey leading to him becoming a competitor in the 5000 mtrs - Event in the
1936 Berlin Olympic Games.
The Bomber Crew are given a rescue mission during which the plane experiences engine failure they come down in the Ocean below.
There are only three survivors 'Louis' 'Phil' (Domhnall Gleeson) and 'Mac' (Finn Wittrock) seemingly stranded with little chance of
survival.
After bobbing about aimlessly in the two life-rafts surviving by catching the odd fish and collecting rain water in the Shark Infested waters
for over seven-weeks 'Louis' and 'Phil' are rescued.......but not by their own, they are picked up by a Japanese Patrol-Boat and taken as
prisoners of war.
After being submitted to brutal punishment at the hands of their captors to extract information they are taken with others to a main-land
prisoner of war camp.
The camp Commandant known as 'The Bird' runs a strict and brutally cruel regime frequently giving 'Louis' more than his fair share of his
sadistic attention.(The 'Bird' evaded punishment for war crimes and in the spirit of forgiveness was eventually pardoned by America for
his crimes)
'Louis's' determination, courage and faith and will to survive will be put through a severe test.Read more ›