20 Best Survival Movies Of All Time

Who doesn't love a true story about people facing the worst humanity has to offer? Unbroken, released in 2014 and directed by Angelina Jolie, is a truly remarkable film about an even more remarkable man - Louis Zamperini.

Zamperini (played by Jack O'Connell) was an American long-distance runner whose career was cut short when the 'States got involved in World War 2. The film portrays his journey to the 1936 Olympic Games and his days as a bombardier in the army. After his plane was shot down, he spent 47 days at sea on a raft, and was eventually found and placed in a Japanese POW camp. There, he was tortured and subject to vile abuse.

The film is harsh, no question about that, but it's also incredibly respectful and eye-opening. O'Connell shines as the late soldier, and the film also features some great supporting turns from Domhall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund and Finn Wittrock.

Exploring one of history's most atrocious moments is never difficult, and nor is watching it, but Unbroken is an important and defining drama about the strength of human character and the pain and side-effects of war.

As a survival film, it is intense, moving and very powerful. As a film, it's a masterpiece of emotion and hope which everyone has to see.