Louis zamperini, a former world war ii hero and olympian who inspired angelina jolies newest film, unbroken, has died at age 97 he passed away. Athlete and war hero louie zamperinis amazing story of courage and survival has been turned into an unambitious and unengaging. Athlete and war hero louie zamperinis amazing story of courage and survival has been turned into. Dec 18, 2012 angelina jolie is in final negotiations to direct the upcoming film unbroken, the story of olympianturnedworld war ii prisoner of war louis zamperini, according to deadline. Louis zamperini, angelina jolies 97year old friend, neighbor, and. Louis zamperini testimony at 1958 san francisco billy graham crusade duration. His son, luke zamperini, said hillenbrands book was powerful because it was not a christian book. Unbroken is a 2014 american war film produced and directed by angelina jolie and written by the coen brothers, richard lagravenese, and william nicholson. The true story behind angelina jolies unbroken time magazine.
See all books authored by louis zamperini, including devil at my heels. Olympian, world war ii bombardier, and pow survivor louis zamperini. Angelina jolie was looking far and wide for dramatic inspiration, and all the time it was right outside her own front door. Jul 04, 2014 the story is to be retold in a film adaptation of the book directed by angelina jolie and scheduled to be released in december. The bestselling autobiography of the legendary louis zamperini, hero of the blockbuster unbroken a modern classic by an american legend, devil at my heels is the riveting and deeply personal memoir by u. Lauren hillenbrands unbroken, louis zamperini biopic. Angelina jolie is in final negotiations to direct the upcoming film unbroken, the story of olympianturnedworld war ii prisoner of war louis zamperini, according to deadline. A heroic olympians astonishing story of survival as a japanese pow in world war ii, and dont give up, dont give in. Long before they collaborated on unbroken, which opens nationwide on christmas day, louie zamperini and angelina jolie were neighbors in the hollywood hills.
Universal pictures and walden media are in final negotiations with angelina jolie to direct unbroken, the unbelievable story of olympianturnedwwii pow louis zamperini. Angelina jolie, who befriended zamperini before his death this past july at the. What louie zamperini meant to angelina jolie the american legion. Jolie is directing unbroken, the gripping survival tale depicting the. And he received the attention of adolf hitler and a personal meeting with him, winning the final race at the olympic games in 1936. After the book unbroken was finished all of my college buddies. Angelina jolie mourns louis zamperini, wwii hero who died. Jul 10, 2014 coverage of the july 2 death of louis zamperini at age 97 dramatically boosted sales of unbroken, laura hillenbrands nonfiction book about the olympian and world war ii hero. Louis zamperini, an olympic distance runner and second world war veteran whose life story is being made into a hollywood film by angelina jolie, has died published. While researching that novel, hillenbrand came across a 1938 newspaper article. Like the new york times bestselling book by laura hillenbrand, jolies latest directorial project is based on the reallife hardships endured by the late louis zamperini, who passed away last.
Louis zamperini books list of books by author louis zamperini. Angelina jolie with louis zamperini during the making of unbroken. With jack oconnell, miyavi, domhnall gleeson, garrett hedlund. Director angelina jolie tells louis zamperinis story in unbroken 19 dec 2014 louis zamperinis story was most recently told in lauren hillenbrands bestselling book, a. Apr 01, 2015 after a nearfatal plane crash in wwii, olympian louis zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before hes caught by the japanese navy and sent to a prisonerofwar. Jul 03, 2014 angelina jolie released a statement following louis zamperinis death, saying. Her book persuaded the studio that the film was likely to be popular. Author laura hillenbrand discusses angelina jolies film.
Hillenbrand, whose 2010 bestselling biography on zamperini forms the basis of angelina jolie s new directing effort, unbroken, said she still remembered her first phone call with him. That man was louis zamperini, an olympic runner and prisoner of. Actor jack oconnell as world war ii veteran louis zamperini, in a scene from angelina jolie. While it might be strange to go and see an angelina jolie film. Billy graham, louis zamperini and the two nights in 1949 that changed their lives. Louis zamperini, the world war ii hero and former olympic long distance runner, has died. May 12, 2014 angelina jolie directed the 2014 film unbroken, set for release in december, about the life of the late louis zamperini 40. Laura hillenbrand tells world war ii hero louis zamperinis story in unbroken. Academy awardwinner angelina jolie directs and produces unbroken, the epic drama that follows the unbelievable true story of american hero louis louie zamperini. Produced and directed by angelina jolie, unbroken tells the dramatic story of louis zamperini played by jack oconnell, an olympic runner who. Dec 19, 2014 director angelina jolie tells louis zamperinis story in unbroken 19 dec 2014 louis zamperinis story was most recently told in lauren hillenbrands bestselling book, a biography that touched. The film adaptation of her bestselling book about survival, resilience and redemption opens december 2014. His inspiring story of courage, resilience, and faith has captivated readers and audiences of unbroken, now a major. Angelina jolie spent hours by the bedside of an elderly man this year, showing him clips of unbroken, her latest film as a director.
A wwii story of survival, resilience, and redemption. Louis zamperini, the 97yearold subject of her latest film, unbroken, and angie have become really, really close during the process of making the film. Born to italian immigrants in new york, his family moved to torrance, california when louis was a toddler. Angelina jolie directed the 2014 film unbroken, set for release in december, about the life of the late louis zamperini 40. Angelina jolies unbroken trailer based on louis zamperinis. Dec 02, 2014 though louie zamperini, whose survival story is documented in angelina jolies new film unbroken, died earlier this year, he did get to watch the film before his death. When hollywood decided to make a movie about zamperinis life, the star actress was chosen to direct. Angelina jolie on louie zamperini watching unbroken. Angelina jolies unbroken is a handsomely staged and dignified prestige drama, yet it tells a mostly passive story of survival in an often generic manner. Unbroken behind the scenes legacy 2014 angelina jolie.
The subject of angelina jolies upcoming sophomore directorial effort unbroken, zamperini was 97. Jolie directed unbroken, a film about zamperinis life. He took up running in high school and qualified for the us in the 5,000 m race for the 1936 berlin olympics. In addition to the above, louis zamperini can be considered a longliver.
Louis silvie zamperini january 26, 1917 july 2, 2014 was an american world war ii veteran, a christian evangelist and an olympic distance runner. Angelina jolies close friend, olympic track starturnedworld war ii hero louis zamperini, about whom she is currently making a film, has died at the age of 97. After a nearfatal plane crash in wwii, olympian louis zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before hes caught by the japanese navy and sent to a prisonerofwar camp. Author laura hillenbrand discusses angelina jolies. Tom brokaw and angelina jolie on unbroken hero louis. My column last june about louie was entitled i hope brad pitt isnt the. Angelina jolie reveals she turned to wwii hero louis zamperini for. Angelina jolie defends universal depiction of faith in unbroken.
Angelina jolie and louis zamperini talk about unbroken. At the time louie knew no english, making him the perfect target for bullies. Louis zamperinis life was even wilder than the film shows. According to hillenbrands book, however, the circumstances that led to. Zamperini died of pneumonia at the age of 97, variety reported early thursday morning. The trailer for angelina jolies film adaptation of unbroken was released thursday, july 10, providing insight into the inspiring true story like the new york. Angelina jolie mourns louis zamperini, wwii hero who died at. Louis zamperini unbroken hero of angelina jolies film. Jul 03, 2014 louis zamperini, a former world war ii hero and olympian who inspired angelina jolie s newest film, unbroken, has died at age 97 he passed away on wednesday after battling pneumonia, e. Angelina jolie on the wrenching experience of watching. World war ii hero louis zamperini, the man that inspired angelina jolies unbroken film, has passed away.
Angelina jolie found louis zamperini of unbroken inspiring. Louis zamperini, whose biography is described inthis article, not only the famous athlete. Angelina jolie defends universal depiction of faith in. Angelina jolies unbroken trailer based on louis zamperini. I wrote my own book called devil at my heels, in 1956. Louis zamperini, olympian and unbroken war survivor.
That man was louis zamperini, an olympic runner and prisoner of war camp. The story follows zamperini s rise as a competitive olympic runner in the 1930s, his experience in the. In fact, theyre so close that louis often calls angelina honey and my gal, an. In the best selling book by laura hillenbrand of the same name. Louis zamperini is best known for laura hillenbrands book unbroken. In 1941, he was commissioned into the united states army air forces as a lieutenant. Angelina jolie directing unbroken, story of louis zamperini. Hillenbrand, whose 2010 bestselling biography on zamperini forms the basis of angelina jolies new directing effort, unbroken, said she still remembered her first phone call with him. A sensation translated into 29 languages, unbroken is poised to become even bigger.
Director angelina jolie tells louis zamperinis story in. Zamperini often battered, always unbroken santa monica daily press. Feb 25, 2014 angelina jolie and louis zamperini talk about unbroken today show by tom brokaw dfactoryusa. Zamperini was closely involved with the project up until his death in july. Photocourtesy of universal pictures louis zamperini just turned 97.
To overcredit angelina jolie is typical of a big name versus an honorable author and work of art. The story is to be retold in a film adaptation of the book directed by angelina jolie and scheduled to be released in december. Louis zamperini, the war hero who inspired laura hillenbrands bestselling book unbroken and the upcoming feature film directed by angelina jolie, has died at 97 zamperini was an olympic. Angelina jolie directed this film while the coen brothers, richard. After reading louis book angelina was inspired by him and wanted to. Jul 04, 2014 louis zamperini, an olympic distance runner and second world war veteran whose life story is being made into a hollywood film by angelina jolie, has died published. Nbcs tom brokaw followed director angelina jolie as she brought unbroken, a film about the remarkable life of louis zamperini, to the big screen. Pete takes on the role as louiss coach and mentor, training him daily. I read laura hillenbrands book and became desperate to tell the story, walk in his footsteps and take this journey. After a nearfatal plane crash in wwii, olympian louis zamperini spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen before hes caught by the japanese navy and sent to a prisonerofwar. Though louie zamperini, whose survival story is documented in angelina jolies new film unbroken, died earlier this year, he did get to watch the film before his death.
The inspiration for the book and upcoming angelina jolie film unbroken and a former olympian died following a case of pneumonia, according to a. It is based on the 2010 nonfiction book by laura hillenbrand, unbroken. Louie was a part of the journey from the beginning, so we all spent time with him, and he was aware of the choices we. Jul 03, 2014 louis zamperini, the war hero who inspired laura hillenbrands bestselling book unbroken and the upcoming feature film directed by angelina jolie, has died at 97 zamperini was an olympic. Dec 11, 2014 the story of louis zamperini is either well known or not known at all. War hero, olympian, trojan legend and friend to angelina jolie. Louis zamperini, who died in july at age 97, was an olympic longdistance runner who survived 47 days in a life raft only to be. Hillenbrand discovered zamperini when she read a 1938 newspaper clipping while researching her 2001 bestseller, seabiscuit, about the depressionera. Angelina jolie, who befriended zamperini before his death this past july at the age of 97, directed and coproduced the film, and jack oconnell stars as zamperini. A fter the book unbroken was finished all of my college buddies. When hollywood decided to make a movie about zamperini s life, the star actress was chosen to direct. Dec 17, 2014 zamperini was closely involved with the project up until his death in july. Unbroken is a biography of world war ii hero louis zamperini, a former olympic track star.
It was also this book that became angelina jolies basis for her upcoming wwii film on the life of louis zamperini unbroken. We are all so grateful for how enriched our lives are for having known him. If youve read laura hillenbrands beautifully crafted biography of the olympic athlete and world war ii hero, youll understand why someone like angelina jolie was anxious to get his story on the big screen. Angelina jolie released a statement following louis zamperinis death, saying. A world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption, random house, 2010. Angelina jolie, director of unbroken, found louis zamperini, the. Louis zamperini, angelina jolies 97year old friend.
See more ideas about quotes, inspirational quotes and me quotes. Angelina jolie directing unbroken movie olympian lou. Angelina jolie met louis zamperini, the 96yearold former olympic runner and world war ii prisoner of war, last winter when she signed on to direct unbroken, based on zamperinis life. Dec 22, 2014 produced and directed by angelina jolie, unbroken tells the dramatic story of louis zamperini played by jack oconnell, an olympic runner who was taken prisoner by japanese forces during world. Angelina jolie and louis zamperini talk about unbroken today show by tom brokaw dfactoryusa. Oct 10, 20 angelina jolie met louis zamperini, the 96yearold former olympic runner and world war ii prisoner of war, last winter when she signed on to direct unbroken, based on zamperinis life.
Directed by angelina jolie and written by joel and. Author laura hillenbrand discusses angelina jolies pagetoscreen. In the bestselling book by laura hillenbrand of the same name. Angelina jolie on louie zamperini watching unbroken vanity fair. Angelina jolie is crushed by the death of unbroken hero louis. A world war ii story of survival, resilience, and redemption. The subject of angelina jolie s upcoming sophomore directorial effort unbroken, zamperini was 97.
Jul 03, 2014 world war ii hero louis zamperini, the man that inspired angelina jolie s unbroken film, has passed away. Although louis zamperini has passed away, his legacy will live on in the upcoming film unbroken which is directed by angelina jolie. Unbroken author laura hillenbrand details discovering. Angelina jolies unbroken hero was her neighbor all along.
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