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, her game warden husband, George Adamson, and Elsa, the orphaned cub lioness they raised while living in Kenya.
In fact, George Adamson himself served as Chief Technical Advisor on the film, and he discusses his involvement in the film in his book, A Lifetime with Lions (1970).
The film depicts the dilemma the Adamsons eventually faced when their time in Kenya came to an end, forcing them to decide whether to place Elsa in a zoo, which Joy vehemently opposed, or to attempt to teach the domesticated lioness to hunt and fend for herself in the wild.
The film is noted for its soundtrack composed by John Barry that, in addition to winning two Academy Awards, the title song became a pop music hit for Roger Williams and for Matt Monro who sang the title song in the film. Andy Williams also covered the song and released an album of the same name the next year.
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.
Two later films were made:- Living Free! and Forever Free!
