Angelina Jolie is known for many things, married to Brad Pitt, daughter of Jon Voight and regular humanitarian activist. However as a film reviewer I can now happily report that Jolie has made her mark as a very capable director in the upcoming film Unbroken. 'Unbroken' tells the true story of Louis Zamperini, American track and field star of the 1936 Olympic Games and survivor of the Japanese prisoner of war camps of WW2. What makes this film such a pleasure to watch despite the terrible subject matter, is the inspiring portrayal of the human spirit.

From Louis's early childhood days, he is taught by his older brother to have strength, spirit and hope when others don't. This message he retains for the rest of his life and indeed saves his life on a number of occasions during the war. Demonstrating how convinced Zamperini was of his conviction, Jolie brings to life vividly the trauma he suffered during the war before and during his POW captivity. Where many directors could have focused on the brutality of the POW camps only, this reviewer felt an even balance was found between the key message of the film and the reasons why it was tested. The flashback technique was used but not overdone and thus retaining a sense of continuity.

Jack O'Connell who plays Louis Zamperini was last seen on the big screen in'300: Rise of an Empire' however i feel this will be a break out role for him internationally. His performance is amazing and Angelina Jolie deserves credit for getting such a good performance out of him. Takamasa Ishihara plays Miyavi, the Japanese POW Camp commandant who takes great delight in testing Zamperini's spirit. His performance is brilliant and you are left feeling that any westerner IS 'an enemy of Japan'. Watching his character develop you sense how these soldiers were totally committed to the Samurai way of thinking, the Emperor and Japan. Do yourself a favour and see this true story.