Do you want to see ‘Born Free’?

Born Free (1965)

tomatometer

All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7/10
Reviews Counted: 12
Fresh: 11 | Rotten: 1

No consensus yet.

No Reviews Yet...

Release Date: Jun 22, 1966 Wide

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 8,260

My Rating

Added to your Facebook Timeline. — undo

Movie Info

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.

PG, 1 hr. 35 min.

Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family

Directed By: James Hill , Tom McGowan

Written By: Joy Adamson, Lester Cole

In Theaters: Jun 22, 1966 Wide

On DVD: Mar 4, 2003

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Born Free Trailer & Photos

Cast

Critic Reviews for Born Free

All Critics (14) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (1) | DVD (7)

A compelling classic nature story with some animal violence.

September 6, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Common Sense Media Editors

Common Sense Media

A popular family film, also known for its Oscar-winning score and song

April 26, 2011 Full Review Source: Screendaily

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

Screendaily

A compelling classic nature story.

January 1, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Common Sense Media Editors

Common Sense Media

A bona fide tear-jerker classic.

January 17, 2005 Full Review Source: StaciWilson.com

| Comment

Staci Layne Wilson

StaciWilson.com

Although the movie is a family favorite, the DVD treatment is rather shoddy.

March 21, 2003 Comment

Forrest Hartman

Reno Gazette-Journal Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

emotionally satisfying for the whole family, as long as you aren't looking for high art or realism

February 10, 2003 Full Review Source: Old School Reviews

| Comment

John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews Source: Old School Reviews

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Born Free

View All

a classic

March 2, 2007

Stuart Brooks

Super Reviewer

The second half was much better than the first that laid most of the groundwork. Some parts were dreary and drawn out too long, but the movie was very moving and informative.

September 14, 2010