Product: Born Free [VHS] (1966)
Rating: 4.0
a wonderful family film that stimulates the mind
I saw this when it came out in 1966 or so and got it so that I could share it with my kids. It was an absolute delight to watch with them, starting from the playing of lion cubs in a house to the struggle to re-introduce Elsie into the wild. Of particular interest was the notion that the conventional wisdom about animals is wrong, that a deeper entente and understanding with them is possible if humans would only try.Joy Adamson developed a relationship with Elsie much as a mother would treat a child. Though a dangerous animal to most observers, including her husband's boss, she loved the lion and influenced her personality development. She then figured out a way to release Elsie into the wild again, which no one had ever succeeded in doing. Finally, a year later, the couple found Elsie and "visited" with her and her cubs for an entire day, until her mate called from the distance; they would return in subsequent years to get to know the cubs. Perhaps I am reading too much into it, but it seems to me that Joy discovered other possibilities of being and communication with a wild animal, which should get us all to think beyond genetic determinism and conventional behavioral models. This is very profound as we contemplate the management of the planet in perilous times.The beauty of our experience is that the kids and I could discuss these issues as well as enjoy the spectacle of an animal film that was fun and very funny yet moving. While I suspect that much of it is fictionalized - the couple later divorced and George Adamson died by recklessly driving at poachers trying to warn him off - the acting is wonderful as is the photography. Warmly recommended.