Family,Adventure,Drama
United Kingdom,United States of America
Born Free is a 1966 film adaptation of the true story of naturalist Joy Adamson (played by Virginia McKenna) and her husband George Adamson (played by Bill Travers), who raised an orphaned lion cub named Elsa in Kenya and then successfully released her into the wild.
The film explores the couple's intense emotional bond with Elsa, as they devote their lives to teaching her how to hunt and survive in the wild. Elsa becomes a beloved member of their family, but as she grows bigger, George and Joy realize they can't keep her as a pet forever. They must ultimately decide whether to train her for life in the wild or to send her to a zoo, where she will likely spend her days in a cramped enclosure.
The film was groundbreaking for its time as one of the first mainstream movies to feature realistic footage of African wildlife and the dangers faced by animals in the wild. It also helped to launch a conservation movement in Kenya, raising awareness about the need to protect ecosystems and endangered species.
The film's iconic theme song, "Born Free," was written by composer John Barry and lyricist Don Black, and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The movie was directed by James Hill and shot on location in Kenya's Meru National Park.
