Born Free

Based on the book by Joy Adamson, this beloved autobiographical 1966 nature film revolves around the Kenyan adventures of the author (Virginia McKenna) and her game warden husband George (Bill Travers), who raise a lion cub named Elsa until she becomes too large to keep, forcing the Adamsons to spend days trying to adapt her to the natural environment where she will have to kill to survive (she has never had to hunt her food before). Ultimately, Elsa takes a successful walk on the wild side, and Joy and George enjoy a splendid reunion the following year with the lion queen…and her cubs. Wonderful photography enhances the playful relationship between the principals and Elsa (who is as mischievous as she is endearing). An Oscar winner for both the score and the immensely popular title song, Born Free was followed in 1972 by the less successful Living Free (starring Susan Hampshire and Nigel Davenport as the Adamsons). Although the disc is extra-less, the digital transfer--though hardly blemish-free--is relatively vibrant and Columbia TriStar has included both the full screen and widescreen versions. Recommended. (R. Pitman)