"Unbroken"

One of the finest, if not the finest young actor of his generation is back on screen, in his third high profile film in the past 365 days.

Here Jack O' Connell plays Louis Zamperini, and we are introduced to his story.
We start off with his as a Bombadier on board a plane during World War II. There is a quite taut air battle sequence, which is really well executed. And during this sequence, he remembers back to past times, when he was younger, a tearaway, and an embarrassment to his loving parents.
His older brother takes him under his wing, and gets him to share his passion for running. And before he knows it young Louis is running for State and then for Country in the Olympics.
We are then back on board the plane, as the Crew receive a new assignement. To try and locate a plane and its missing crew. The only downside is that because of the need for planes in battle, they are given a clapped out museum piece but at least it is still airworthy. For now.....

Sure enough the stresses of being in the air tells on the plane, and soon enough it ditches in the Ocean, so another Crew is lost at sea.
Louis is one of three survivors. They battle against hunger, the elements, and also attack from sharks. To survive so long at sea is quite remarkable but two of them did manage to survive until they were rescued. Unfortunately for them the rescue came from the Japanese, and they promptly transported to a Prisoner of War camp. So from one ordeal to an even more horrific one.
The officer in charge of the camp seems determined to make life unbearable for Louis. But one thing that his Brother taught him was that if he could take it, then he could make it, and seems to be his lesson throughout all that he is dealt.

I think that it is fair to say that if the subject material were not based on a true story then one would have a hard time believing what Louis endures.

Derby born actor Jack O'Connell is certainly riding high at the moment, and rightly so. He is very justly getting the kind of reviews that an actor of his rich talent deserves, and remarkable more so for such a young age. Time and time again he amazes and wows on screen, after such great work on films like "Eden Lake", "Starred Up" and "71", he now brings to life the story of a true survivor.
There is excellent Direction from Angelina Jolie, she has seamlessly moved from in front of to behind the camera.
The film has attracted criticism, I think mainly people saying that it is trying to be an Oscar film, one that will attract the attention of the Academy. I think it is unjust, as it is a worthy film to watch.

A compelling story, wonderfully told.............8 out of 10