ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Some were in line to see the movie “Unbroken” because of the religious aspect of Louis Zamperini’s life, while other movie-goers were enthralled by the Olean native’s Olympic and military history.
The multi-layered life of Zamperini, the subject of the newly released Universal film directed by Angelina Jolie, brought in sold-out crowds Christmas Day and large crowds on Friday at the Carmike 8 Theater in Allegany, theater staff reported.
The late Zamperini, a former Olympian and a World War II hero, was born in Olean in 1917 and died in July, a month prior to the dedication of a monument erected in his honor in War Vets Park in Olean.
While still a toddler, Zamperini moved with his family from Olean to California. During his early adulthood, he competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and joined the war effort several years later. During World War II, he survived his bomber crashing at sea and 47 days adrift in the Pacific Ocean, followed by two years of torture in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps.
His story, which included forgiving his enemies after dedicating his life to God, hit the international radar when author Laura Hillenbrand wrote the best-selling book “Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.”
Carmike employee Thomas Nye said a number of people bought tickets early on Christmas Day to be assured of getting a seat to see the film.
“When I got here (Christmas Day) there were 51 tickets already sold” to people who wanted to see the movie, Nye said. “(Friday) people were trying to get in before we opened up” for the 1:05 p.m. showing of the film. He said the movie had to be moved from one of the facility’s smaller theaters to a larger theater to accommodate the crowds.
People who were going to see the “Unbroken” film Friday included Hannah Milliron of Duke Center, Pa.
“I’m actually interested in (joining) the military and this is really cool because he was an Olympic athlete and he went into the military,” Milliron said. “And I like action movies.”
Rose and Larry Hafler of Pennsylvania said they wanted to see the film because of the advertisements for the movie. Both only recently found out that Zamperini was from Olean.
“I hope it’s good,” Larry Hafler said.
Another couple, Marty and Brigitte Surdam of Machias, said they were looking forward to seeing the film because the previews looked good.
“It looks like a good movie,” Surdam said, while noting she hasn’t read the book the movie is based on, but plans to.
Also purchasing tickets for “Unbroken” were Jason Mucher from Houghton who was buying a group of tickets for the film with family friend Paul Campbell.
“I’m a big sports fan, so I like the story of him being an accomplished Olympic athlete, and I like war movies,” Mucher said. “But the biggest thing for me is that I’m a Christian and I know that a lot of (Zamperini’s) story later in life was about forgiveness, and how his forgiveness came from was his relationship with God.”
On another note, Zamperini’s story was so inspiring that he was named grand marshal of the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, Calif., shortly before he died. He will be honored as the parade’s grand marshal posthumously. Olean will be represented at the event by community resident James Bardenett, who was responsible for organizing local efforts for the Zamperini monument.
