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The 2014 American war drama film Unbroken premiered in Sydney, Australia, on November 17, 2014, before its North American release on December 25, 2014. The film, produced and directed by Angelina Jolie, is based on the non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. It tells the story of Louis Louie Zamperini, an American Olympian who survived 47 days adrift at sea before being captured and sent to a Japanese POW camp. While Unbroken does not appear to be currently showing in Australian theatres, it is available for streaming on YouTube, Apple TV, and Prime Video. A separate documentary film with the similar title UnBroken was also released in 2023 and may have had a limited theatrical release in some regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of release | 2014 |
| Genre | War drama |
| Director | Angelina Jolie |
| Writers | Coen brothers, Richard LaGravenese, William Nicholson |
| Based on | Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand |
| Starring | Jack O'Connell, Miyavi |
| Production location | Australia |
| Production dates | October 2013 to February 2014 |
| World premiere location | Sydney, Australia |
| World premiere date | November 17, 2014 |
| DVD and Blu-ray release in the US | March 24, 2015 |
| Streaming availability in Australia | YouTube, Apple TV Store, Prime Video Store |
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What You'll Learn
Unbroken's 2014 world premiere in Sydney
The 2014 American war drama film "Unbroken" premiered in Sydney, Australia, on November 17, 2014. The film, produced and directed by Angelina Jolie, is based on the non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand, titled "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption." The story revolves around Louis "Louie" Zamperini, an American Olympian who survived 47 days adrift in the ocean before being captured and sent to Japanese prisoner-of-war camps during World War II.
The world premiere in Sydney was a significant event, with hundreds of fans gathering outside the historic State Theatre to welcome Jolie and the cast to Australia. Jolie was joined on the red carpet by her husband, Brad Pitt, as well as the film's stars, Jack O'Connell, who portrayed Zamperini, and Miyavi, who played Japanese army sergeant Mutsuhiro Watanabe, also known as "The Bird."
The film's production had a strong connection with Australia, as it was shot in both Sydney and Queensland. Jolie expressed that directing the film helped her tackle motherhood, and she found inspiration in Zamperini's story of resilience and survival. "Unbroken" received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its emotional resonance and exploration of human determination, while others noted its lack of tonal shift and interest in the inner life of its protagonist.
Following its world premiere in Sydney, "Unbroken" had its theatrical release in North America on December 25, 2014, across 3,131 theaters. The film grossed $15.6 million on its opening day, including Christmas Eve previews, making it the third-biggest Christmas Day debut at the time. Overall, "Unbroken" earned a worldwide total of $163 million against a budget of $65 million.
The film was also released in other formats, including DVD and Blu-ray, in the United States on March 24, 2015. Additionally, a faith-based sequel, "Unbroken: Path to Redemption," was released in 2018, depicting later events in Zamperini's life.
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The film's mixed critical reception
The 2014 American war drama film "Unbroken", produced and directed by Angelina Jolie, received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the film's cinematography, acting, and directing, others criticised its lack of emotional depth and connection with the protagonist.
On the one hand, "Unbroken" has been described as a handsome film, bleak and dark and elegantly filmed with "amazing cinematography, acting, and some fine directing from Angelina". The film's intense moments, such as surviving at sea or enduring captivity, successfully build tension and keep the audience engaged. Additionally, the film has been praised for its meticulous direction, traditional approach, impressive visuals, and striking combat scenes. The score, composed by Alexandre Desplat, has also received mixed reviews. While some critics found it bold, ambitious, intimate, and harmonious, others felt it lacked energy and vitality.
On the other hand, some critics felt that the film lacked a sense of life and emotional depth. One review mentioned that "what the movie ends up in desperate need of is a sense of life made real and palpable through dreadful, transporting details, not a life embalmed in hagiographic awe". Another review stated that the film "just piles on the misery without tonal shift, any sense of rise and fall, or any interest in Zamperini’s inner life". Additionally, critics have noted that the film fails to convey the danger and urgency of Zamperini's plight, making it difficult for audiences to connect with the protagonist and experience the story rather than simply watch it.
Despite its mixed reception, "Unbroken" was a financial success, grossing $163 million worldwide against a budget of $65 million. The film also received support from the Dutch Indonesian group The Indo Project, who saw it as a reflection of what their family members experienced in Japanese camps during World War II. A petition they started in support of the film gathered signatures from prominent Dutch Indos, including author Adriaan van Dis and actress Wieteke van Dort.
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![Unbroken [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81l8LzHUtoL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Unbroken: 2-Movie Collection [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71E2ddzGz6L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Angelina Jolie directed the film
The 2014 American war drama film "Unbroken" was directed by Angelina Jolie. It is based on the non-fiction book by Laura Hillenbrand, "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption". The film stars Jack O'Connell as Army officer Louis "Louie" Zamperini, an American Olympian, and Miyavi as Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) corporal Mutsuhiro Watanabe.
Jolie was paid a $1 million salary for directing the film. This was her second time directing a film, after her debut with a Serbian movie. She was confirmed as the director of "Unbroken" on September 30, 2013, and filming took place in Australia from October 2013 to February 2014. The film had its world premiere in Sydney on November 17, 2014, followed by a London premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square on November 26, 2014.
"Unbroken" opened in North America on December 25, 2014, across 3,131 theatres. It grossed $15.6 million on its opening day, including Christmas Eve previews, making it the third-biggest Christmas Day debut ever. The film was a financial success, grossing $115.6 million in the U.S. and Canada and $47.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $163 million against a budget of $65 million.
Angelina Jolie shared a rough cut of "Unbroken" with Louis Zamperini before he passed away. She described the experience as "beautiful, beautiful". Jolie also mentioned that "Unbroken" was technically challenging and that she had to learn a lot to pull off the film. She highlighted the need for discipline in how to shoot things, save money, and put everything onto the screen.
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Unbroken is based on a non-fiction book
The film Unbroken is based on the non-fiction book, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, by Laura Hillenbrand. The book was published in 2010 and spent more than four years on The New York Times bestseller list, including 14 weeks at number one. It has sold over 4 million copies to date.
The book is a biography of World War II veteran and former Olympic track star Louis Zamperini. Zamperini's running career came to an end with the outbreak of World War II, after which he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He was assigned to a squadron based in the Hawaiian Islands and served as a bombardier. During a mission, his plane, the Green Hornet, crashed due to mechanical difficulties, killing eight of the 11 men on board.
Zamperini and another survivor, Phil, spent 47 days drifting in the raft before being captured by the Japanese. They were interrogated, stripped, and had their heads shaved before being transferred to POW camps. At one of these camps, Zamperini was recognised by another prisoner, who warned him to "be careful what you wish for" upon learning that he was headed to Tokyo. Zamperini was beaten by a camp leader nicknamed "The Bird", who punished him for making eye contact.
The film Unbroken, directed by Angelina Jolie, was released in 2014 and starred Jack O'Connell as Louis Zamperini. It premiered in Sydney, Australia, on November 17, 2014, and was a box office success, grossing $163 million worldwide. A second film based on Hillenbrand's book, titled Unbroken: Path to Redemption, was released in 2018.
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It's available to stream in Australia
Unbroken is available to stream now in Australia on multiple platforms. The film, which was directed by Angelina Jolie and written by the Coen brothers, Richard LaGravenese, and William Nicholson, premiered in 2014. It is based on Laura Hillenbrand's non-fiction book, "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption."
The film stars Jack O'Connell as Army officer Louis "Louie" Zamperini, an American Olympian who survived 47 days adrift at sea before being captured and sent to a Japanese POW camp. Australians can watch this powerful story on YouTube, the Apple TV store, or Prime Video Store.
In addition to the 2014 film, there is also a 2023 documentary film with the same title by director Beth Lane. This film, Unbroken, is available to stream on Netflix in Australia. It is a captivating and heartfelt documentary about overcoming hardships and helping others do the same.
Unbroken was also released on DVD and Blu-ray Combo pack in the United States in 2015. A sequel, "Unbroken: Path to Redemption," was released in 2018, depicting later events in Zamperini's life.
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Frequently asked questions
The film 'Unbroken' premiered in Sydney, Australia, on November 17, 2014.
The film 'Unbroken' was released in the United States on December 25, 2014.
The film 'Unbroken' was filmed in Australia from October 2013 to February 2014.
Yes, there is a documentary film called 'Unbroken' by Beth Lane, released in 2023. There is also a faith-based film called 'Unbroken: Path to Redemption' released in 2018. Additionally, there was a limited release of a film called 'Unbroken' in 2025.
