Skip to main content

Plot

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.
MPAA Rating:
PG
Genre(s):
Family
Run Time:
95min.
Theatrical Release Date:
12/08/2002
DVD Release Date:
03/04/2003
Distributor(s):
Columbia Pictures
Director(s):
James H. Hill
Starring:
Virginia McKenna , Bill Travers , Geoffrey Keen , Peter Lukoye , Omar Chambati
Themes:
Survival in the Wilderness,Heroic Mission
Tone:
Atmospheric,Compassionate,Heartwarming,Reflective,Summery,Warm,Wistful
Keywords:
adoption,animal,freedom,friendship,game-warden,lion,love,orphan,pets
Language:
English