Born Free

Amazon.com

Born Free is a bona fide family classic. The tale of how Kenya game warden George Adamson and his wife Joy (on whose book the film is based, with Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers in the principal roles) adopted and raised three orphaned lion cubs, taking a particular shine to the one they call Elsa before helping her return to the wild, is familiar by now; so's John Barry's Oscar-winning title song. And while the movie has its flaws (it contains references to "Bwana George" and such that would be considered frightfully un-PC nowadays), the animal footage, especially that of the lions in their various stages of development, is extraordinary and timelessly entertaining. DVD bonus features are limited to theatrical trailers, but the digitally remastered film can be viewed in both widescreen and full screen. A keeper. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews:

A NICE FAMILY CLASSIC THAT IS STILL INTERESTING!.......2007-09-15

I had not seen this movie for many years, so watching it now it seemed a little bit dated. It still holds your attention and carries a timeless message. A great family movie with nice wildlife footage. I thought the DVD transfer was very good, but no extras was a let down.

Family favourite.......2007-09-05

I thought the movie was great really good family viewing my 2 girls loved it the story and quality of camera work was outstanding a lot of laughs and a few tears were shed.

Born Free.......2007-06-27

A beautiful film, with stunning cinematography of the Kenyan landscape and the myriad creatures who inhabit it, "Born Free" is also a touching tale of love and sacrifice. The childless Adamsons raise Elsa almost as their own offspring, then confront the necessity of sending her away. Just how they accomplish this is both selfless and painstaking. Grand score by John Barry only adds to the visual and emotional sweep of this ideal family movie.

Once you see Born Free, you'll never forget it.......2007-05-10

Having first seen this movie in my youth and recently watching it again as an adult, it has never lost its charm or appeal and I think it deserves to stand as one of the most fulfilling and heartwarming family films ever made. As it is based on a true story, that makes it even better. And what a story it is too.

Game warden George Adamson and his wife Joy are residents in Kenya, Africa and relate their experiences of raising an orphaned lion cub after the mother has been shot out of self-defense reasons. Actually it is three lion cubs but two are sent off to a zoo and the third, eventually named Elsa, is raised by Joy Adamson. It is interesting and enjoyable to watch the interaction of the cub with the adults and the relationship that grows ever closer between them. Upon raising the cub to maturity, it becomes a difficult time for the Adamson's knowing that releasing the grown lion into the wild is the only real answer. Due to being tame for so long, it is Joy's responsibility now to train Elsa to be able to survive on its own and she does an admirable job. When the fateful day finally comes, it tugs at the heart strings to see the emotional effects on the Adamson's when releasing something they love so dearly. It is also inspiring knowing that they cared so much and did it for all the right reasons. It eventually makes for a wonderful end to a great movie.

As for the film particulars, the cinematography is very attractive in Africa and the accompanying music is a perfect compliment to everything else. The acting is so innocent and natural you can almost be fooled into believing this isn't a movie. For being a timeless classic that is now over 4 decades old, this movie stands the test of time and will always be a treasure for anyone and everyone. This is a highly recommended film all around.

Born Free Review.......2007-03-29

This movie is an excellent movie for children. I recommend it highly. It can be used as a basis for discussion of several topics, especially the need to preserve wildlife in the wild, the role of zoos, etc.

Born Free and Equal Dvd! Liberty's Kids, Reader's Digest Young Families

Average customer rating:

Born Free and Equal Dvd! Liberty's Kids, Reader's Digest Young Families

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

Born Free and Equal Dvd! Liberty's Kids, Reader's Digest Young Families. Join Sarah and James on their amazing journey through the American Revolution as apprntice reporters in Ben Franklin's print shop. Always in the midst of hte action, they cover the remarkable battles, debates, and individuals that shaped our nation. While staying with Abigail Adams in Boston, Sarah is thrilled to see Mum Bett freed and resolves to fight for civil rights. Ben Franklin hopes that news of the victory at Yorktown will convince King George to surrender to his former colonies!

Average customer rating:

Review of Living Free
Pales in comparison to "Born Free"
Living Free
No Joy Here
Forgotten and forgettable sequel

Born Free & Living Free [Region 2]
Starring: Nigel Davenport , Susan Hampshire , Geoffrey Keen , Peter Lukoye , and Shane De Louvre
Director: Jack Couffer
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B0000UM0E4

Amazon.com

The 1972 sequel to 1966's classic Born Free doesn't quite measure up to its predecessor, but in an era when most "family entertainment" tends toward the insipid at best, Living Free is still a worthwhile venture. Susan Hampshire and Nigel Davenport take over the roles of Joy and George Adamson, the British couple who, while stationed in Kenya, adopted three orphaned lion cubs. Living Free finds the dying Elsa, their favorite of the original three and now a mother herself, returning to the Adamsons, who must figure out what to do with Elsa's three cubs, who develop an unfortunate appetite for domestic livestock. The film is on the slow side, but once again it's the animals who steal the show; the footage of the young lions interacting with other beasts, from wild giraffes and rhinos to a pet dog, is remarkable. Though light on bonus features, the DVD will surely find its adherents. --Sam Graham

Customer Reviews:

Review of Living Free.......2007-03-29

The movie was of top quality. I had seen the movie before, but I really enjoyed seeing it again and enjoying it with a young friend. The movie came really quickly in the mail. This was an excellent transaction.

Pales in comparison to "Born Free".......2006-03-21

This is the quite dreadful sequel to "Born Free." It is intended for viewing by children, but even young ones will be bored with the extremely slow pace of this feature-length film. Were it shortened by two-thirds to about 30 minutes, it would be reasonably entertaining for younger kids. The acting is cheesy and very dated, and the plot plods along very slowly. There's nothing inherently wrong with the story, and the videography of the lions is quite charming, but it is presented so badly in this film that I would not waste a penny on it. Fortunately, I obtained my copy from the local library.

Living Free.......2005-11-02

Once again I am reminded of how much I enjoyed the "Born Free" trilogy when I viewed this DVD. Anyone who loves lions, and the 1960's, should own and view all three movies.

No Joy Here.......2005-07-26

The site of an immaculately turned out Susan Hampshire in thick eyeliner and gleaming white (flared) trouser suit prancing through the Serengeti should serve as an immediate red flag. This is about as far as you can get from Bill Travers' and Virginia McKenna's charming performances in Born Free, never mind invoking the real Adamsons, who led interesting and ultimately tragic lives. Doesn't seem much like Kenya in the fifties to me (I was there). Give it a miss.

Forgotten and forgettable sequel.......2005-04-06

'Living Free' is one of those obscure sequels to huge hits that most people don't even know exist. In this case it's not hard to see why: it's pretty awful.

Susan Hampshire and Nigel Davenport make poor replacements for Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna. While you wouldn't expect them to match the original couple's easy familiarity, these two don't look like they've even been introduced yet. Worse, the film is a clumsy mess, the first quarter a clumsy rehash of the first film mixing stock footage with awkward reshot word-for-word versions of scenes restaged by the new stars with all the confidence of a blindfolded kid with both legs tied together trying to hit a piñata (although you do get to see Geoffrey Keene play a scene absolutely identically to his performance with the more experienced stars a few years earlier). When the plot does get going in the last half hour there are some genuinely tense scenes as they attempt to cage Elsa the Lioness's cubs to take them to a new reserve before they are destroyed as a menace to local farms, but you'll probably have given up by then. It doesn't even have the benefit of Scope photography or a John Barry score to sugar the pill, often looking more like a poor TV pilot than a real film (and indeed a TV series did briefly follow, albeit with a new cast).

Not good.

Shining Light Reading Series - Lighting Path to 1

Average customer rating:

video is very bad
introduction to phonetics

Shining Light Reading Series - Lighting Path to 1

Manufacturer: Born Free Inc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Reading & Phonics | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Children's Music | Styles | Music

General | Instructional | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Shining Light Reading Series - Letter Sounds (Vol. 1)

ASIN: 0974288608
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Description

In a six-year study, students who used this video scored two grade levels above their peers on reading tests. For example, first-grade students averaged reading scores above the third-grade level.

Your 2 1/2 to 6 year-old is in a critical period for learning language. By appealing to your child's intrinsic developmental sensitivies like love of repetition and affinity for song, Shining Light Reading Series provides a natural enjoyable way to build the two essential skills for reading success.

Customer Reviews:

video is very bad.......2007-03-13

It is not DVD. It transfer from viode.
It does not help reading too much.

introduction to phonetics.......2005-09-03

This is a good introduction to homeschooling preschoolers in phonetics by an experienced Montessorian.

Born to Ball On the hardwood (Free CD Soundtrack Included)

Average customer rating:

Born to Ball On the hardwood (Free CD Soundtrack Included)
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Urban Works
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Sports | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

NBA Street Series, Vol. 3

ASIN: B00067HP46
Release Date: 2006-03-21

Description

Born To Ball: On the Hardwood is a collection of the hottest, college basketball footage by today's elite NBA All-Stars. This is not street ball! These are real moves, in real games, against real defense. Watch Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, Vince Carter and many others display the raw talent that catapulted them to superstar success. All of the footage exhibited on Born To Ball: On the Hardwood will be accompanied by brand, new tracks from some of the best talent in hip-hop and R&B. * An audio soundtrack containing all the music featured in this film will be included on CD, free of charge.

DVD:

DVD

DVD