UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION-in theaters nationwide Oct. 5, 2018- is the inspiring and powerful continuation of Louis "Louie" Zamperini's post-World War II story and his struggle to find peace and forgiveness after his ruthless treatment as a Japanese prisoner of war. While the story stands alone, the brand-new film picks up where 2014's epic saga UNBROKEN ends, continuing the amazing true story of the Olympian and World War II hero.
Following the Allied victory in World War II, UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION tells the story of Zamperini's experiences returning to the United States. When the war ended, his real battle began. Haunted by nightmares of his torment, LOUIE sees himself as anything but a hero. Then, he meets Cynthia, a young woman who captures his eye-and his heart.
Louie's wrathful quest for revenge drives him deeper into despair, putting the couple on the brink of divorce. Cynthia turns to God, and prays for LOUIE to find peace and forgiveness.
"Seldom does a single life take two films to tell, but that is LOUIE Zamperini's remarkable true story," said Producer Matt Baer, who also produced Angelina Jolie's UNBROKEN. "The original film shares the first half of his story with incredible detail, and viewers can now continue the extraordinary journey into his post-war struggles and redemption in the brand new film."
Bringing to life the rest of this powerful real-life story of forgiveness, redemption and amazing grace,UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION stars Samuel Hunt (Chicago P.D.) as Zamperini; Merritt Patterson (The Royals) as his wife, Cynthia; David Sakurai (Iron Fist) as Zamperini's prison guard Watanabe/"The Bird"; Gary Cole (TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY) as Dr. George Bailey; and Will Graham as his own grandfather, evangelist Billy Graham.
"I've never tried to be my father or my grandfather. I answered my own call to evangelism," Will Graham, vice president of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said. "Now it's an honor to portray my grandfather in a moment that changed LOUIE and began a friendship into old age."
Laura Hillenbrand's book, the source material for both films, spent four years on The New York Times best-seller list in hardcover including 15 weeks at No. 1. The paperback debuted and remained at No. 1 more than 20 weeks. The young-reader edition was another Times best-seller. The three-time Academy Award®-nominated film UNBROKEN opened to the third-best Christmas Day box office of all time, ultimately drawing nearly $165 million worldwide.
"Exploring the extraordinary post-war journey of Olympian and WWII POW Louis Zamperini,
UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION is a lyrical, profoundly moving film, a story told with integrity, honesty and compelling beauty," Hillenbrand said.
UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION is produced and released by Universal 1440 Entertainment, The WTA Group and Pure Flix.
"The millions who read Laura Hillenbrand's best-selling book or saw the first film, UNBROKEN, know and love this part of Louie's story," Executive Producer Bill Reeves, president of The WTA Group, said. "For Zamperini fans, UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION shares the next chapter of Louie's astonishing life and the inspirational love story that lies within."
"Before LOUIE became an inspiration to so many veterans, before anyone knew what PTSD was, he overcame tremendous pain and hardship to find personal peace," Glenn Ross, general manager and executive vice president, Universal 1440 Entertainment said. "UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION is a powerful voice for those who struggle and, we hope, an encouragement to everyone."
With a screenplay written by Richard Friedenberg (A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT) and Kenneth Hixon (CITY BY THE SEA), UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION is produced by Matthew Baer and Mike Elliott, directed by Harold Cronk, and executive produced by Dave Mechem, Luke Zamperini, Cynthia Garris, Erik Weir, Bill Reeves and Michael Scott.
For interviews, contact: Michael Conrad, Michael@Lovell-Fairchild.com, 214-616-0320
About The WTA Group
The WTA Group is a leader in faith-based film marketing and financing, home entertainment representation and consumer product licensing. Founded in 2009, WTA has led the faith audience marketing campaigns for talented filmmaking clients including Stephen and Alex Kendrick (WAR ROOM and No. 1 New York Times best-seller The Love Dare), Sony/AFFIRM Films (MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN), Pure Flix Entertainment (GOD'S NOT DEAD), Compass Cinema (IS GENESIS HISTORY?) and The Christian Broadcasting Network (IN OUR HANDS: THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM). The company's author and writer roster includes Charlie Daniels (Country Music Hall of Fame Member, Grand Ole Opry Member), Dr. Michael L. Brown (radio host and best-selling author) and Randy Alcorn (New York Times best-selling author). For more information, visit www.thewtagroup.com
About Universal 1440 Entertainment, LLC:
The Universal 1440 Entertainment banner develops and produces live-action and animated productions directly for distribution in all media worldwide. Universal 1440 Entertainment is an entity of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE - www.uphe.com). UPHE is a unit of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG). UFEG produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television and other distribution platforms, as well as consumer products, interactive gaming and live entertainment. The global division includes Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Brand Development, Fandango, DreamWorks Animation Film and Television and Awesomeness. UFEG is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
About Pure Flix
Founded in 2005, and led by partners Michael Scott, David A.R. White, Elizabeth Travis and Alysoun Wolfe, Pure Flix is the leading independent faith and family studio in the world. Its recent releases include: The Case for Christ, God's Not Dead 2, God's Not Dead, Do You Believe?, Woodlawn, A Question of Faith, and Same Kind of Different as Me.
With offices in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Pure Flix has produced, acquired, marketed and distributed over 100 faith and family-friendly films. Aligned with their vision to influence the global culture for Christ through media, Pure Flix is the industry leader in creating high-quality inspirational feature film content. The studio's official website is Pureflixstudio.com. The company also features a leading streaming video on demand service, with thousands of movies, originals, TV shows and more emphasizing faith, family and fun. For more information, go to Pureflix.com.
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