Born Free (1965)
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92% of critics liked it
(12 reviews) -
80% of users liked it
(8,493 ratings)
Born Free is the heartwarming true story of a British couple who teach their pet lioness how to survive in the wilds of the African jungles. Joy and George Adamson (portrayed by real-life married couple Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers) involuntarily domesticate several lions while living in Kenya.… More Born Free is the heartwarming true story of a British couple who teach their pet lioness how to survive in the wilds of the African jungles. Joy and George Adamson (portrayed by real-life married couple Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers) involuntarily domesticate several lions while living in Kenya. They keep one, named Elsa, until she is fully grown, and rather than turn her over to a zoo, they decide to train her to live like a wild animal so that they can release her into her natural habitat. Geoffrey Keen is a sympathetic government official who convinces the Adamsons that they should set Elsa free to avoid being ordered to place her in captivity. The film, based on Joy Adamson's book, is poignant and emotional without ever becoming banal or overly sentimental. The title song and film score both won Academy Awards. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi
- Directed By
- James Hill, Tom McGowan
- Written By
- Joy Adamson, Lester Cole
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jun 22, 1966 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
A compelling classic nature story with some animal violence.
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Emanuel Levy, Screendaily
A popular family film, also known for its Oscar-winning score and song
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Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media
A compelling classic nature story.
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Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
A bona fide tear-jerker classic.
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Forrest Hartman, Reno Gazette-Journal
Although the movie is a family favorite, the DVD treatment is rather shoddy.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Virginia McKenna
as Joy Adamson
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Bill Travers
as George Adamson
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Geoffrey Keen
as Comm. Kendall
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Peter Lukoye
as Nuru
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Omar Chambati
as Makkede
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Bill Godden
as Sam
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Robert Cheetham
as Ken
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Robert Young
as James
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Brian Epsom
as Baker
- Bryan Epsom
- Geoffrey Best
- Robert S. Young
