Louis Zamperini, the subject of the book "Unbroken," was friends with Karen Mulvaney of Lafayette; they're pictured here in The movie adaptation of that book, also titled "Unbroken," was set to open at theaters nationwide on Christmas day. And now, of course, it is. Attending a Billy Graham crusade in , Zamperini β who died in July at age 97 β became a man unbroken and went on to establish Victory Boys Camp Inc. Such appearances is how many in the East Bay came to know him, after Lafayette resident Karen Mulvaney invited him to speak at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center in The two had a bond.
I just called him. Zamperini and Mulvaney developed a relationship β she was the adoring daughter seeking a connection to her biological father, and he was a father figure. On one visit, driving together through his neighborhood, Zamperini pointed out the home of actor Angelina Jolie, who would eventually come to direct the film.
Instead, Mulvaney said Zamperini described a relationship with Jolie that was similar to the one he and Mulvaney treasured β a blend of respect, flirtation and a shared faith in the goodness of everyday people who achieve extraordinary things in difficult circumstances.
Zamperini worked closely on the film with Jolie and saw a final cut shortly before he died. Through his family, Mulvaney learned that he was thrilled with the results. He was at peace with the film not tackling that subject matter. He thought it would be more compelling to see his story unfold and let that speak for itself.
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