Born Free
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Born Free is a 1966 motion picture written by Hollywood blacklisted writer Lester Cole using the pseudonym "Gerald L.C. Copley." His screenplay was based upon the true-life 1960 international bestselling book written by Joy Adamson about her and her game warden husband, George Adamson. While living in Kenya, the couple raised an orphaned cub lioness they named "Elsa." The lioness behaves more like a big affectionate dog than a lion, but when it approaches maturity the Adamsons realize they must re-educate the animal so she can be set free to live and survive in the wild.
ElsaOnJeep.jpg
The film is noted for its soundtrack composed by John Barry that, in addition to winning two Academy Awards, became a pop music hit for Roger Williams and for Matt Monro who sang the title song in the film.
VirginiaMcKennaLioness.jpg
The making of the film was a life-changing experience for actors Virginia McKenna and her husband Bill Travers who became animal rights activists and who were instrumental in creating the Born Free Foundation.
A sequel Living Free followed in 1972.
Principal cast:
- Elsa the Lioness
- Virginia McKenna : Joy Adamson
- Bill Travers : George Adamson
- Geoffrey Keen : Kendall
- Peter Lukoye : Nuru
- Omar Chambati : Makkede
- Bill Godden : Sam
Award wins:
- Academy Award for Original Music Score – (John Barry)
- Academy Award for Best Song – (John Barry (music) & Don Black (lyrics))
Award nominations:
- Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama
- DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures - (James H. Hill)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama – (Virginia McKenna)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song - Motion Picture – (John Barry)
- Grammy Award for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture - (John Barry)
External links
- [1] (http://www.bornfree.org.uk/index.shtml) - Website for the Born Free Foundation
- Website about Elsa: [2] (http://jo.ath.cx/elsa/elsa.html)
For an excellent collection of photos of Elsa from the same website see: [3] (http://jo.ath.cx/elsa/pics_bf.html)