Unbroken

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Unbroken

PG-13

2014

2h 43m

Biography

History

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

52%

Tomatometer

229 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

As a boy, Louis "Louie" Zamperini is always in trouble, but with the help of his older brother, he turns his life around and channels his energy into running, later qualifying for the 1936 Olympics. When World War II breaks out, Louie enlists in the military. After his plane crashes in the Pacific, he survives an incredible 47 days adrift in a raft, until his capture by the Japanese navy. Sent to a POW camp, Louie becomes the favorite target of a particularly cruel prison commander.

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Critics Consensus

Unbroken is undoubtedly well-intentioned, but it hits a few too many of the expected prestige-pic beats to register as strongly as it should.

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

Livemint

Aug 5, 2019

Unbroken doesn't penetrate the surface of emotions, remaining a slightly detached, albeit respectful, representation of a potentially touching and inspiring true story.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 1, 2017

C

... so painfully generic that one could probably copy the review of any derivative WWII film and paste it right here.

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Lenika Cruz

The Atlantic

Jan 21, 2016

Unbroken falls short of the epic war drama and sweeping testament-to-the-human-spirit it strives to be.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 21, 2022

3/5

“Unbroken” is a competent and well-intentioned movie centered around an inspiring true story.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Jul 13, 2022

2/4

The film has been carefully constructed into a blind adoration instead of a worthy portrait; it captures events, but not people, not gradations.

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Q.V. Hough

Vague Visages

Jun 27, 2022

"Jolie didn't make a bad movie, and 'Unbroken' might have even won Best Picture 20 years ago, but you can't throw the star under the bus -- especially in a biopic -- and let the antagonist destroy one of the most powerful scenes."

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Andrew T

@RT26197345 Aug 17, 2026

It's difficult to believe one person could endure everything depicted in Unbroken, which makes knowing Louis Zamperini's story was real all the more incredible. The film is based on Laura Hillenbrand's nonfiction account of his life and WWII experiences. From Olympic athlete, to bomber crewman, to surviving weeks adrift at sea, and finally enduring horrific treatment as a Japanese prisoner of war, the movie is essentially a study in refusing to surrender. What I love is that the victories aren't traditional battlefield victories. Sometimes victory is simply surviving another day without allowing someone else to destroy who you are. It's brutal, inspiring, heartbreaking, and ultimately uplifting—a remarkable story about endurance, dignity, and just how much a human being can withstand without giving up. I'm not sure why it's not rated better. Maybe the slow parts lose the people with short attention spans.

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Mel G

@Filmtlk01 Aug 16, 2026

Good movie about resilience in WW2. The paid critics are showing impostor complexes. WW2 was WW2; not sure what smug outlining was being searched for, but a real story is a real story. This one gives a reflection to war heroes, humanity, and the test to keep it while surrounded in the massive event of the times. It is a good film, worth watching. Unlike many highly rated crit films, you can tell this was a labor of love by those involved. The life of Louis "Louie" Zamperini should be honored and learned from, and this film does that and more.

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Michael O

@obyone Feb 7, 2026

Critics don't know jack. Good movie about a remarkable human being. I look for movies rated low by critics and high by audience. They're usually good.

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Tito K

@TitoK Jan 10, 2026

The book is worth to read. The movie feels merely an executive summary. But then it would have taken easily 3-4 hours to capture the full story

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Aptil B.

@Spring26 Dec 29, 2025

Excellent inspiring film that shows even during the most dire of times.. strength and perseverance can be found in your faith..

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Nick S

@Nicksnothingness Dec 21, 2025

An incredible cruel story but a very good film to showcase the tragedy. War is something stupid, but this is a must watch.

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Angelina Jolie

Director

Jack O'Connell

Louie Zamperini

Domhnall Gleeson

Phil

Garrett Hedlund

Fitzgerald

Miyavi

Watanabe

Finn Wittrock

Mac

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Synopsis

As a boy, Louis "Louie" Zamperini is always in trouble, but with the help of his older brother, he turns his life around and channels his energy into running, later qualifying for the 1936 Olympics. When World War II breaks out, Louie enlists in the military. After his plane crashes in the Pacific, he survives an incredible 47 days adrift in a raft, until his capture by the Japanese navy. Sent to a POW camp, Louie becomes the favorite target of a particularly cruel prison commander.

Director: Angelina Jolie
Producer: Matthew Baer, Erwin Stoff, Clayton Townsend
Screenwriter: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Richard LaGravenese, William Nicholson
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: 3 Arts Entertainment, Jolie Pas
Rating: PG-13 (Intense Sequences of Brutality|Brief Language|War Violence)
Genre: Biography, History, Drama, War
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 2014, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 13, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $115.6M
Runtime: 2h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, SDDS, Dolby Digital, Datasat
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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