Unbroken inspiration 'Louie' Zamperini features in Channel Nine special

Louis Zamperini, the late World War II veteran whose story of endurance inspired Angelina Jolie's directorial debut with the film Unbroken, said he lived his life like a race he was determined to win.

In a Channel Nine exclusive special feature, "Louie" Zamperini tell his tale in his own words — a story in which his main message is: "don't give up don't give in".

"That's one thing you learn in sports. You don't give up. You fight to the finish," the Olympic middle distance runner said in the special.

The one-hour special on the former prisoner of war who died in July this year features scenes from the unreleased Unbroken.

The Louis Zamperini special will air on Channel Nine this Saturday at 7pm.