Born Free (1966)

Born Free
Directed by James Hill and Tom McGowan
Written by Lester Cole from a book by Joy Adamson
1966/UK/US
Open Road Films/Atlas/Highroad
First viewing/Amazon Instant

[box] Joy Adamson: yes, yes, she was born free and she has the right to live free. Why don’t we live in a more comfortable setting George? Other people do. We chose to live out here cause it represents freedom for us. Because we can breathe.[/box]

An African photo safari is on my bucket list.  Until then this pleasant entertainment will have to do.

The film is based on the true story of game warden George Adamson and his wife Joy. The two rescue three lion cubs left orphaned after the killing of their father, a man eater, and mother who was trying to protect her babies.  Two of the cubs are sent directly to zoos but Joy begs for and keeps the runt of the litter, Elsa.  Elsa becomes more or less a pet.  After she reaches sexual maturity, the Adamson’s boss more or less demands that she be sent to a zoo.  But Joy wins a reprieve to try to reintroduce Elsa to the wild.  The couple become the first to successfully do so.

I am a sucker for animals and animal movies.  The lions do some pretty amazing stuff.  It has the feel of a 1966 “family movie” – that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Composer John Barry won Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Song and Best Music, Original Music Score.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qzEVSORU3o