Unbroken
Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 25, 2014
6.5
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 311 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
179
Mixed:
89
Negative:
43
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
6
ydnar4Jan 22, 2015
I was expecting more from Unbroken, I guess its hard to have high expectations for a director with such little experience. Angelina Jolie is directing her first big film with Unbroken. The movie had a lot of hype but it didn't impress me. TheI was expecting more from Unbroken, I guess its hard to have high expectations for a director with such little experience. Angelina Jolie is directing her first big film with Unbroken. The movie had a lot of hype but it didn't impress me. The movie was too long and there were long periods of time where nothing exciting was happening. I didn't care much for the cast either. Jack O'Connell is still a young actor but I felt that his role needed a better performance. Takamasa Ishihara was very strong as the main antagonist in the film. He was certainly good at making me hate him. Overall this film could have been a lot better.… Expand
5 of 5 users found this helpful50
All this user's reviews
5
JamesLJan 4, 2015
Angelina botched this film. It had no inspiration, left out the last part of his life which was what I was looking to see. Instead I was stuck with what seemed like stock war film footage of being stranded at sea and brutality at a JapaneseAngelina botched this film. It had no inspiration, left out the last part of his life which was what I was looking to see. Instead I was stuck with what seemed like stock war film footage of being stranded at sea and brutality at a Japanese POW camp. How many times have you see that already? Did she run out of budget and couldn't tell the post war part of life? What she did show was flat and motionless, no peaks, no valleys. A major disappointment.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
All this user's reviews
5
tpcamDec 30, 2014
While a worthy stand alone movie, because we know the book and this man's life story, we also know that the movie, by focusing primarily on survival in a life raft and survival as a POW, misses what "Unbroken" was about. It is a story ofWhile a worthy stand alone movie, because we know the book and this man's life story, we also know that the movie, by focusing primarily on survival in a life raft and survival as a POW, misses what "Unbroken" was about. It is a story of strength and weakness of character, of the people who influence our lives, of falling and redemption and falling and redemption.

After surviving the war, Louie begins on a path of drunken ruin when he chances upon a revival tent where Billy Graham, a legendary preacher, is giving a sermon. This sermon starts his recovery from the war and alcoholism and culminates with Louie's trip to Japan to forgive his guards. The "Bird" refuses to see him. That is the end of the movie, Louie's personal growth to become a better person and the "Bird" being trapped in the bitterness of what his life became.

I don't know anything about Billy Graham and can only imagine how powerfully that scene could have been filmed. What cinematic potential! Then watching Louie transform into the man he was to become culminating in the trip to Japan. I am still mourning the loss. What a wasted opportunity.

I would truly like to understand why Angelina Jolie or why the studio committee didn't take this on. Were they afraid of appearing to promote religion? Did they think it would scare away movie viewers? Were they afraid of what others in their community would say about them? Who fought to make this movie properly and who caved in?

Any attempt to say the movie would have been too long is a canard. The time on the raft and scenes in the POW camp were excessive, many not adding to the story. The ending was fabricated to add drama. It's almost like the decision to end the film with the war's end was made later rather than upfront and they had to puff it up to get to a reasonable run time.

Personally in my opinion had they not chickened out, the film would have at a minimum qualified for a Best Picture nomination. How many times in a lifetime do opportunities like this come along?… Expand
6 of 8 users found this helpful62
All this user's reviews
6
TVJerryJan 6, 2015
Louie Zamperini (Jack O’Connell) was an Olympic runner who survived in a raft for 47 days after his plane crashed, then endured 2 years in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. Through it all, he remained determined to survive. It's important toLouie Zamperini (Jack O’Connell) was an Olympic runner who survived in a raft for 47 days after his plane crashed, then endured 2 years in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. Through it all, he remained determined to survive. It's important to feel the desperation and suffering in a movie like this, but director Angelina Jolie has taken it to painful extremes, presenting scene after scene of mistreatment. It's effective, but went on way too long. Ultimately, it's about a man's stamina faced with overwhelming odds, but the film lacks the emotional power that would have made the suffering worth it.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
All this user's reviews
6
Brent_MarchantDec 27, 2014
An ambitious but nevertheless overlong effort that frequently (and unfortunately) resorts to cliche, formula and the safe route in favor of taking chances that would have served the picture better. While I certainly don't expect a lot fromAn ambitious but nevertheless overlong effort that frequently (and unfortunately) resorts to cliche, formula and the safe route in favor of taking chances that would have served the picture better. While I certainly don't expect a lot from director Angelina Jolie, I definitely expect something more inventive from the screenwriting Coen Brothers, who seem to have turned uncharacteristically timid here. Louie Zamperini's story is indeed an inspiring tale, one that deserved better treatment than it received here.… Expand
5 of 8 users found this helpful53
All this user's reviews
5
cryhardhumorJan 30, 2015
The worst part about Unbroken is just how mediocre it is. Such a hero deserves a film less interested in trying to get its director an Oscar, and more interested in doing its hero justice.
Unbroken is unmemorable. 5/10
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
All this user's reviews
6
jeremypDec 27, 2014
This is a "we've been here before" movie, so I hoped Jolie would give us "Zamperini the complex," and instead we get "Zamperini the stoic." My guess is this movie works for those who don't know his amazing life. Those of us who do know heThis is a "we've been here before" movie, so I hoped Jolie would give us "Zamperini the complex," and instead we get "Zamperini the stoic." My guess is this movie works for those who don't know his amazing life. Those of us who do know he was a tough nut, a great runner whose career was cut short by war, and ruined by it. Broken, he resurrected himself through religion, but only after skirting too long with self destruction, a poster boy for massive PTSD, courtesy of war and the sociopaths it breeds. What we get from Jolie is a hagiography of stoicism. We see the toughness, we just don't see the turmoil.… Expand
2 of 7 users found this helpful25
All this user's reviews
4
ThegodfathersonDec 28, 2014
When hollywood directors are out of ideas, they turn to inspiring and critically acclaimed biographies, Angelina Jolie is a culprit of such. Unbroken, the true story of Louis Zamperini- who was a famous Olympic runner who survived on aWhen hollywood directors are out of ideas, they turn to inspiring and critically acclaimed biographies, Angelina Jolie is a culprit of such. Unbroken, the true story of Louis Zamperini- who was a famous Olympic runner who survived on a lifeboat for 40 days and taken as a prisoner at a Japanese camp. Sadly, even with the premise here, it's not a good movie. Jack O Connell does a good job, his performance is very praising. But the supporting cast is not even there, as Jolie never sheds light on them. The cinematography is slightly on the okay side but the music is lifting. The story is not as inspiring as the book and it falls flat and stretches during the climax. Overall, rent it if you LOVED the book, otherwise beware: it's not THAT good.… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
All this user's reviews
5
BshopDec 27, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Read the book, the movie doesn't do it justice.
For a chronicle of a war, the movie skips over some of the book, and also highlights some rather small points (or gives the audience an appearance of a highlight).
Anyway, it already seemed difficult to get through the book in one sitting (as there are three/four distinct parts), but a movie seemed to try and blend these parts together (namely the path to the Olympics and air combat). This seemed a bit forced, but I guess you have to make compromises when making a movie.
In summary, worth a rent (if you like WWII / biography). I would see Interstellar (if its still in theaters) or the Hobbit if you looking to go to the theater. Sad really, I was looking forward to this movie, but left the theater disappointed.… Expand
2 of 9 users found this helpful27
All this user's reviews
4
mccaffApr 1, 2015
Like some reviewers said, this is a series of scenes throughout Zamperini's life. Unfortunately Angelina Jolie fails on providing any storyline except that one thing happens after another. This guy's life is an incredible story but tellingLike some reviewers said, this is a series of scenes throughout Zamperini's life. Unfortunately Angelina Jolie fails on providing any storyline except that one thing happens after another. This guy's life is an incredible story but telling it requires more than just the regurgitation of facts. Too bad, he deserved more than this. She is definitely not a good director.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
6
XeryusMay 15, 2015
good movie but doesn't do justice to the book which is incredible, anyway Angelina Jolie did a good job trying to reacreate the Whole saga of Louis Zamperini's very own odyssey
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
All this user's reviews
6
LynJan 3, 2015
So hard to do justice to a great book, but I thought it was pretty good. Louie Zamperini's abuse in the POW camp was tough to watch, but it was tough to read about, too. (Not to mention, how did he live through it?!) Have to agree w/ criticsSo hard to do justice to a great book, but I thought it was pretty good. Louie Zamperini's abuse in the POW camp was tough to watch, but it was tough to read about, too. (Not to mention, how did he live through it?!) Have to agree w/ critics who wished his postwar life had gotten some screen time -- but that whole other saga could have added another couple of hours to the film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
JacobJan 24, 2015
Unbroken is a film that would’ve worked better as a miniseries. While the film has some great moments that were well done, nicely adapted, and gripping especially in the first third, there are other moments that either glossed over or omittedUnbroken is a film that would’ve worked better as a miniseries. While the film has some great moments that were well done, nicely adapted, and gripping especially in the first third, there are other moments that either glossed over or omitted entirely preventing the film from having the kick it needs. Its frustrating when some parts of the film are executed really well and other times the film is screaming “Notice Me, Nominate Me, Oscars where we come.” Had the filmmakers been more focused on making a good movie for the sake of making a good movie and not going for the gold and/or if the film had been a miniseries it could’ve been great and fleshed out the characters and effectively told the story. As it is, its alright. I didn’t feel like I had completely wasted my time although I do wish I had been able to see American Sniper. In a month where Hollywood tends to give me garbage I’m glad that there was something out there I could see and get something out of. People who haven’t read the book will be able to follow the film ok and might enjoy it more without familiarity with the story. This is a depressing, interesting, and important aspect of World War II and its nice that so many people are being exposed to. If you have read the book though and are a fan of the story, you’ll be disappointed at the alternations and omissions made that prevent the film from being as great as it could’ve been. In all seriousness though if you are curious read the book its really good. As for the movie its ok. It was engaging and wasn’t a waste of my time but I’m probably not going out of my way to see it again and I’m not going to highly recommend it either. Check it out if you are interested but if you’ve read the book, lower your expectations.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
HeadcrusherJan 1, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was telling everyone I know - read the book before you see the movie - as I knew there would be large chunks of the story left untold - if for no other reason that the time limits of average films. I was certain that some of the more subliminal plot points of Louie's story would be left behind - and they were.

The book tells the true story of Louis Zamperini. As a child he was known as the Torrance terror - always getting into trouble - then as a young adult he discovered he could run - and run fast with some training - which turned him into an Olympic athlete. After the Olympics Louie was drafted into WW2 and eventually went missing after their plane was lost at sea. He and his surviving crew members miraculously endured more than 40 days on a raft before they were "rescued" by Japanese soldiers who took them to prison camp and tortured them relentlessly. After the war was over Louie came back home and suffered from PTSD until he ..... ( the movie skips everything after the return to America and thus misses the glue that brings the moral and spiritual conclusion of the story - That Louie was never alone and that God had been watching over him the whole time - Louie went on to forgive his captors, start a camp for troubled boys and became an inspirational speaker for many)

So the problem of this film is it only tells part of the story. In my opinion there should have been part one and two - part one could have covered everything from his childhood to the raft -(you'd have to go back for part 2 after that) and part 2 could have covered everything from the raft to the boys camp. There's still an opportunity for someone else to tell part 2 of the difficulty of the POWs returning to civilian life. A good movie but not the great one it should have been… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
duncan1964Jul 17, 2015
The true story of Louis Zamperini is so incredible and humbling it seems churlish to criticise a film telling his life story, but unfortunately Jolie treats the whole thing with way to much respect which produces a very bland film. TheThe true story of Louis Zamperini is so incredible and humbling it seems churlish to criticise a film telling his life story, but unfortunately Jolie treats the whole thing with way to much respect which produces a very bland film. The performances, photography, sets and music are all exemplary and Jolie has obviously watched a lot of David Lean, but what the subject matter needed was a little more of its lead characters free spirit, and a little less reverence.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
TyranianAug 6, 2019
Looks great but seems to plod along for much of it's runtime without capitalising on its incredible story. Decent.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
chepod8Jun 11, 2015
La historia de Louis Zamperini esta bien redactada, pero la dirección no termina por anclar con el público, la emotividad no debería ser tan forzada, pasable para la primera película dirigida por Angelina Jolie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
vikesh2206Mar 26, 2015
While Angelina Jolie's well acted Unbroken is a powerful portrayal of war, the movie is incohesive and fails to differentiate itself from other similar biopic.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
WJSSep 19, 2015
Director Jolie manages to squeeze some very effective performances from her handsome young cast and the film looks amazing but, unfortunately it tends to drag on quite a bit in the middle even though it does maintain a sense of humor, whichDirector Jolie manages to squeeze some very effective performances from her handsome young cast and the film looks amazing but, unfortunately it tends to drag on quite a bit in the middle even though it does maintain a sense of humor, which is probably due to the writing skills of the Coen brothers. This kind of bleak story requires some humor now and then and the fact that it's based on a true story takes any surprises out of the narrative. It's an intriguing story that has been told before in many war films of the past 50 plus years.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
StevesitzJan 14, 2015
A moving and (in the end) very uplifting story; however, for the length of the movie it missed a lot of the book and more good points of the driving message. Everything about the film was powerful and great, but being adapted from a bookA moving and (in the end) very uplifting story; however, for the length of the movie it missed a lot of the book and more good points of the driving message. Everything about the film was powerful and great, but being adapted from a book with a much bigger story and message I think the film should had included more especially for it's long run time. Defiantly worth the watch but readers of the book will be left disappointed knowing the film only brushes on the Olympic section then moves full focus to being stranded in the ocean followed by life in a POW camp.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
kriebelrJan 1, 2015
I hate when a movie hits you over the head with it's message and tells you how to feel. Unbroken does this with obvious dialogue and overly dramatic music and acting. The dramatic climax came off laughably cheesy. Lots of people will likeI hate when a movie hits you over the head with it's message and tells you how to feel. Unbroken does this with obvious dialogue and overly dramatic music and acting. The dramatic climax came off laughably cheesy. Lots of people will like this movie because it plays to the center of what people like, but it could have been so much more.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
UnclefunnymanDec 31, 2014
In spite of this film's good cinematography and score, and a compelling true story, it never fully pulled me in. It's as though you're waiting for some sort of relief that doesn't come until the very, very, very end, and, by that time, yourIn spite of this film's good cinematography and score, and a compelling true story, it never fully pulled me in. It's as though you're waiting for some sort of relief that doesn't come until the very, very, very end, and, by that time, your exhausted. Perhaps this was intentional, but it didn't work for me. Wait for discount theater or home release.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
ajarias96Jan 8, 2015
Like most films adapted from books if you read the book your reaction to the movie will be much different than had you not read it. I myself hadn't read the book and felt mixed about the film. At times it comes off way too cliche and comesLike most films adapted from books if you read the book your reaction to the movie will be much different than had you not read it. I myself hadn't read the book and felt mixed about the film. At times it comes off way too cliche and comes off a bit forced, especially towards the beginning. The writing is definitely lacking which is incredibly surprising considering the scribes. As the movie progresses and less dialogue is spoken the film improves immensely and becomes quite enjoyable. It's definitely not one of the best films of 2014 but will leave you feeling encouraged and motivated which seemed to be lacking this year.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
4
CheneyLikeBirdJan 17, 2015
If you watch the movie "Unbroken" or read the book, think about the torture of POWs by Japanese in WWII employed similar methods to those used by the US at Guantanamo.
For over 200 years, the US did not torture. Then Cheney and Rumsfeld took over.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
boubadiopFeb 19, 2015
My girlfriend wanted to watch this and so I did so reluctantly and was quite surprised. As Jack O'Connell who I don't particularly like because in most films he plays a young man who gets angry and breaks things actually did a decent job inMy girlfriend wanted to watch this and so I did so reluctantly and was quite surprised. As Jack O'Connell who I don't particularly like because in most films he plays a young man who gets angry and breaks things actually did a decent job in this role and was enjoyable throughout the film.

The film has its ups and its downs with some scenes being incredibly boring and others which are entertaining but all in all its a good film to watch but could have been done a lot better… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
moviecritic68Mar 18, 2015
I'm giving it a 6 out of respect for the gentleman the story was written about. I personally became bored with it half way through. It has it's moments but not enough of them to satisfy my taste
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
FuturedirectorJul 17, 2016
Unbroken shows a real-life story about the wars that destroys our world an how stupid is it. Anyway, despite its some-kind-of defiancent direction and it's simple interpretations, this film's doesn't show nothing new or something that makesUnbroken shows a real-life story about the wars that destroys our world an how stupid is it. Anyway, despite its some-kind-of defiancent direction and it's simple interpretations, this film's doesn't show nothing new or something that makes worth to watch this unremarkable film with a dull sorry-telling and plot, as well.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
MovieMasterEddyApr 10, 2016
Jack O'Connell plays Olympic athlete and American war hero Louis Zamperini in Angelina Jolie's well-mounted but underwhelming WWII drama.

With a major awards push for Jolie and her topnotch collaborators — d.p. Roger Deakins, composerJack O'Connell plays Olympic athlete and American war hero Louis Zamperini in Angelina Jolie's well-mounted but underwhelming WWII drama.

With a major awards push for Jolie and her topnotch collaborators — d.p. Roger Deakins, composer Alexandre Desplat and editors Tim Squyres and William Goldenberg not least among them — Universal should be able to court a sizable worldwide audience for this capably stirring, morally unambiguous and classically polished prestige picture about an unusually spirited member of the Greatest Generation who survived a hell beyond anyone’s imagination. (Zamperini died in July at the age of 97, due to complications from pneumonia.) After languishing in development for decades, the project finally took viable shape with the 2010 publication of Hillenbrand’s book, adapted here by the unlikely team of the Coen brothers (in their third scripting-for-hire gig, after 2012’s “Gambit” and 1985’s “Crimewave”), Richard LaGravenese and William Nicholson.

Regardless of their individual contributions, none of the credited writers faced an easy or enviable task in fashioning a feature-length narrative out of their exhaustively researched source material (for which Hillenbrand interviewed Zamperini 75 times over the course of eight years). In runners’ parlance, “Unbroken” feels like a good, steady 10k where a marathon was arguably called for: For all its scenes of intense deprivation and extreme brutality, the film never quite manages, over the course of 137 carefully measured minutes, to reproduce the feeling of a sustained endurance test. Nor does it succeed in dramatizing the human need for faith and forgiveness, one of its more baldly stated themes, in more than perfunctory, platitudinous terms.

Of course, to expect any movie to place the viewer directly into Zamperini’s spiked cleats, or even begin to approximate the depth and horror of his wartime experiences, would hold it to an impossible standard. Yet the bar is set unreasonably high from the moment “Unbroken” introduces itself as “a true story,” a presumptuous choice of words (the “based on” qualifier is conspicuously absent) that the script never fully earns as it guides us through a series of conventional, connect-the-dots flashbacks. An exciting aerial-combat prologue finds O’Connell’s Louis — or Louie, as he was more commonly known — flying a rickety B-24 bomber over the Pacific, where he and his comrades drop their payload on Japanese bases, shoot down Zero planes and take plenty of fire in return.

Bobbing along in two life rafts with dwindling rations, fending off attacks by neighboring sharks and Japanese bombers (at one point simultaneously), the three men will last more than a month before Mac succumbs, leaving Phil and Louie to drift, sun-scorched and emaciated, for another 15 days or so. Yet the film’s attempts to convey the slow, arduous passage of time feel rushed and noncommittal, effectively cherry-picking the book’s more memorable nautical setpieces and adding a few temporal markers (“Day 18,” etc.), quick visual dissolves and the stately swells of Desplat’s score. Following a recent wave of intensely immersive survival stories (“All Is Lost” makes a particularly instructive comparison), “Unbroken’s” streamlined, checklist-style approach seems all the more rote and obligatory.

Any dramatic account of real-life events must of course filter and condense, yet several omissions in “Unbroken” are especially telling: We’re denied any real sense of the young Louie’s insatiable appetite for mischief; nor do we see him and his comrades conversing in secret code, or paying hilariously flatulent tribute to Japan’s Emperor Hirohito, or conceiving a desperate plot to murder Watanabe — or, barring that, inducing a crippling bout of diarrhea that puts the miserable sergeant out of commission for more than a week.

Jolie previously examined the dehumanization of war in her little-seen 2011 directing debut, “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” a muddled but provocative drama set in 1990s Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Unbroken” serves up a similarly relentless catalog of wartime woes — filthy conditions, crippling thirst and hunger, back-breaking labor, nonstop verbal and physical abuse, nasty injuries, ritualized humiliations, and the hopeless knowledge that an Allied victory will only bring about the prisoners’ execution. Yet there’s something unmistakably soft-edged, if not sanitized, about these PG-13 horrors, the accrual of which produces a curious sort of paradox by film’s end: What we’ve seen is at once plenty grueling and nowhere near grueling enough, on the basis of what Zamperini really went through. (“Where’re the maggots? Where’s the dysentery?” my screening companion whispered over the closing credits, unsatisfied by a relatively tasteful scene of Louie and his fellow inmates disposing of their presumably disease-ridden excrement.)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
JLuis_001Sep 6, 2017
Unbroken is a film without transcendence, but it is a job well done, Angelina Jolie gives signs of evolution as a filmmaker and manages to create a film that many men directors could not, that is huge and respectable, otherwise it is trueUnbroken is a film without transcendence, but it is a job well done, Angelina Jolie gives signs of evolution as a filmmaker and manages to create a film that many men directors could not, that is huge and respectable, otherwise it is true that the film shows flaws, the general public will never take them into account and that is valid, the film helps its rhythm and only in the last half hour becomes quite redundant.
A negative aspect is how much the story forces the events to blackmail you emotionally and if there is something I hate is that.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
glommanMay 9, 2021
An interesting movie showing the life of an American conscript getting captured by the Japanese during World War 2 all the way to the end of the war. While it starts off strong and somne scenes have a certain impact, sure, it kind of justAn interesting movie showing the life of an American conscript getting captured by the Japanese during World War 2 all the way to the end of the war. While it starts off strong and somne scenes have a certain impact, sure, it kind of just drags along for the better half of the movie, until the end even. So, while it's an interesting and sort of unique portrayal of the Second World War, it doesn't manage to develop a truly interesting story with interesting characters. It's just bland, but not bad.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

59 Critic Reviews

6.5 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL