- Actors: Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers, Geoffrey Keen, Nigel Davenport, Susan Hampshire
- Directors: James Hill, Jack Couffer
- Language English
- Classification: U
- Studio: Cinema Club
- VHS Release Date: 17 Dec 2001
- Run Time: 179 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005Q56J
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 9,782 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Born Free is a bona fide family classic. The tale of how Kenya game warden George Adamson and his wife Joy (on whose book the film is based, with Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers in the principal roles) adopted and raised three orphaned lion cubs, taking a particular shine to the one they call Elsa before helping her return to the wild, is familiar by now; so is John Barry's Oscar-winning title song. And while the movie has its flaws (it contains references to "Bwana George" and such that would be considered frightfully un-PC nowadays), the animal footage, especially that of the lions in their various stages of development, is extraordinary and timelessly entertaining.
The 1972 sequel doesn't quite measure up to its predecessor but, in an era when most "family entertainment" tends toward the insipid at best, Living Free is still a worthwhile venture. Susan Hampshire and Nigel Davenport take over the roles of Joy and George Adamson, the British couple who, while stationed in Kenya, adopted three orphaned lion cubs. Living Free finds the dying Elsa, their favourite of the original three and now a mother herself, returning to the Adamsons, who must figure out what to do with Elsa's three cubs, who develop an unfortunate appetite for domestic livestock. The film is on the slow side, but once again it's the animals who steal the show; the footage of the young lions interacting with other beasts, from wild giraffes and rhinos to a pet dog, is remarkable. --Sam Graham
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film adaptation which was made in 1966 (not 1996!) stays mostly true to the original book. It tells the tale of three orphaned lion cubs, two of which are sent to zoos. The other, Elsa, develops a strong bond with her owners. But of course, she's a lioness, not a pussycat, and eventually she grows too big. Not wanting her to go to a zoo, her owner Joy Adamson tries to release her back into the wild.
Although not as good as th original, the sequel Living Free makes great eye-candy, showing some adorable scenes with the cubs, and some stunning footage of wildlife (they actually caught a cheetah catching its prey).
I saw these films when I was about ten, and I am 13 now. They stay very loyal to the books, and well, if you haven't read, I suggest read them then watch the films. Highly recommended.
(How could you say these films are 'gruesome.' It's quite tame compared to what I've seen on so-called 'children's TV.' And besides, you can't sugarcoat everything for children. Next time, try explaining to your kids that this is a film about wild animals, not cute little fairies.)
Although not as good as th original, the sequel Living Free makes great eye-candy, showing some adorable scenes with the cubs, and some stunning footage of wildlife (they actually caught a cheetah catching its prey).
I saw these films when I was about ten, and I am 13 now. They stay very loyal to the books, and well, if you haven't read, I suggest read them then watch the films. Highly recommended.
(How could you say these films are 'gruesome.' It's quite tame compared to what I've seen on so-called 'children's TV.' And besides, you can't sugarcoat everything for children. Next time, try explaining to your kids that this is a film about wild animals, not cute little fairies.)
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
When I ask my friends nowadays if they have ever heard of Born Free, the answer is almost always "no". And that's a real shame. Born Free is an enchanting true story, and one whose spirit lives on in the Born Free foundation, the animal charity.
Born Free begins when a park ranger has shot a pair of man-eating lions, orphaning a litter of three cubs. He brings them home to his wife and together they raise the cubs. Eventually, they grow old enough to be sent to a zoo and two of the cubs go, but the Adamsons love the third one, Elsa, so much that they keep her. As she grows into an adult it becomes clear that she must either be sent to a zoo, or set free. Yhe Adamsons decide to free her, but it will be a long, hard path...
People of all ages will enjoy the film. When I was younger I adored the parts where the cubs grow up - it'll bring tears of laughter to your eyes. The humour remains an element of the film. The film itself is remarkably well made, considering that they had to use real animals to play the parts of Elsa and other lions. You'll fall in love with the character of Elsa, and all her gentleness and her quirks. The ending is truly beautiful.
Living Free is the sequel to Elsa's story, but focuses this time on the three cubs she has. I won't give a plot blurb for fear of ruining part of the story. While not as good as Born Free in my eyes, the film is still well made and enjoyable for those already familiar with its predecessor.
I'd also like to defend the films after one reviewer said something along the lines of "don't watch this film, it has scenes of animals being killed, don't let your children see it!" This is grossly unfair - no animal is ever actually seen shot. There is no violence except a fight between two lionesses (something tame compared to most nature documentaries) and I've seen far more violence in children's cartoons. I advise children to watch this film, not avoid it; it helps instill awareness and love for nature.
Born Free begins when a park ranger has shot a pair of man-eating lions, orphaning a litter of three cubs. He brings them home to his wife and together they raise the cubs. Eventually, they grow old enough to be sent to a zoo and two of the cubs go, but the Adamsons love the third one, Elsa, so much that they keep her. As she grows into an adult it becomes clear that she must either be sent to a zoo, or set free. Yhe Adamsons decide to free her, but it will be a long, hard path...
People of all ages will enjoy the film. When I was younger I adored the parts where the cubs grow up - it'll bring tears of laughter to your eyes. The humour remains an element of the film. The film itself is remarkably well made, considering that they had to use real animals to play the parts of Elsa and other lions. You'll fall in love with the character of Elsa, and all her gentleness and her quirks. The ending is truly beautiful.
Living Free is the sequel to Elsa's story, but focuses this time on the three cubs she has. I won't give a plot blurb for fear of ruining part of the story. While not as good as Born Free in my eyes, the film is still well made and enjoyable for those already familiar with its predecessor.
I'd also like to defend the films after one reviewer said something along the lines of "don't watch this film, it has scenes of animals being killed, don't let your children see it!" This is grossly unfair - no animal is ever actually seen shot. There is no violence except a fight between two lionesses (something tame compared to most nature documentaries) and I've seen far more violence in children's cartoons. I advise children to watch this film, not avoid it; it helps instill awareness and love for nature.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
To be honest I hadn't seen this film until very recently, though I was aware of the true story behind it. Suffice it to say, if you want a true story that is uplifting; that will fill your heart and make you weep with joy (I certainly did and I'm a bloke!), you cannot possibly go wrong with Born Free. That's all there is to say.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Lovely old film
My daughter is a big fan of animals and so I wanted to get her Born Free - it is very dated but still has some gorgeous footage of lions, and is acted with real feeling by the two... Read more
Published 22 days ago by LMK
A family film if ever there was one
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!
In "Born Free", Joy Adamson (Virginia McKenna) and her husband, Kenya game warden George Adamson (Bill Travers), discover an orphan lion cub and... Read more
In "Born Free", Joy Adamson (Virginia McKenna) and her husband, Kenya game warden George Adamson (Bill Travers), discover an orphan lion cub and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by RR Waller
Great DVD
I have seen both movies before. I bought the DVD as I have young grandchildren & nieces that have never seen either movie. Read more
Published 7 months ago by kymbo48
A Great Adventure
Born Free was made in 1966 and features Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers as Joy and George Adamson, a real-life couple who raised Elsa the Lioness, an orphaned lion cub to... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Grahame
A perfect deal!
Prompt delivery, and to my surprise there are two movies on this DVD. I thought it was just 'Born free' but the sequel is there as well... I'm happy!
Published 12 months ago by M. K. Drijfhout
Born Free/Living Free
This is what a real wildlife film/dvd would be before health and safety, true to life and what real dedication to wildlife is all about.
Published 13 months ago by K. J. Lane
Born Free / Living Free
Who could not help but be enchanted by the movie Born Free, based on a true story. Great movie for the entire family. Living Free is a little more naff but still entertaining
Published on 7 Feb 2010 by J. Kennedy
K3Worth
Rather dated but has a charm and the human/animal sequences are attractively filmed which would make it very appealing to anyone who has a love of African wildlife
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by M. ANDREWS
Born Free
I remember going to the cinema with my parents more than 25 years back to see Born Free, it was one of these films that you always remember as a child. Read more
Published on 29 April 2009 by FBoyd
Timeless
As suggested, this is a classic. Although the more PC may be offended by the obvious colonialism you must look beyond that and you will find a truly moving story. Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2009 by T. A. Doyle
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