But soon war casts an ominous shadow over the world and Zamperini finds himself in the air force fighting the Japanese in the Pacific.
When his aircraft is shot down, he and two crewmates end up alive but alone at sea in a liferaft.
Somehow they survive a harrowing 47 days at sea only to have the Japanese rescue them and take them prisoner.
It is now that Zamperini must call on all the mental strength and determination that helped him as an athlete as the Japanese military does its very best to break him.
First, they try to get information out of him before he is thrown into an internment camp in Japan.
When the camp commandant discovers Zamperini's Olympic identity, his life becomes hell and the Japanese try to break him in any number of ways.
Moved on to another camp to unload coal barges, Zamperini's life becomes even tougher and death seems the easiest option out.
With Sergeant Watanabe continuing to test him, Zamperini faces a life or death test of his strength and resolve.
The Allies might be close to liberating Japan, but he needs to be alive when they do it.
Zamperini's story is incredible and Jolie brings it to life with the touch a true storyteller.
There is no doubt she has immense skills behind the camera when she decides she no longer wants to be in front of it.
Unbroken
(M), 145 minutes
