The Jolie-Pitt clan is known for its globe-trotting ways, and son Maddox doesn’t let us down when he visits his mom on a movie set in Australia. Angelina Jolie, who is in Sydney directing the film Unbroken, was surprised as the 12-year-old confidently strolled on set, and greeted his mom.

Jolie and Maddox, as well as the rest of the gang, kids Shiloh, Zahara, Pax, Knox and Vivienne and dad Brad Pitt, also got in some family time on a luxury yacht in the Sydney Harbor, splashing it up in the water and paddle boarding.

Unbroken is based off of the 2010 best-selling novel, written by Laura Hillenbrand, which spent 108 weeks on the New York Times best seller list, 14 of which were at number 1.

The film and book tell the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympian track prodigy and Air Force pilot whose plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean in 1943 during World War II. He floated on a raft in shark-infested water for 47 days, only to be captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp.

Zamperini competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics when he was 19. Although he didn’t win a medal, Adolf Hitler was so impressed he insisted on meeting the runner.

Jolie spoke of the real-life war hero and how his life has affected hers, in an interview.

“’It will be hard to make a film worthy of this great man. I am deeply honored to have the chance and will do all I can to bring Louie’s inspiring story to life. Everyone involved in the film shares this deep responsibility. Like all readers of Laura’s book and all people who love and admire Louie, I am a fan who has learned so much. He has made me a better person.”

Unbroken is slated to hit the screens January 16, 2015.

Image via Wikimedia Commons