Born Free

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. 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.

Principal cast:

• Elsa the Lioness
• Virginia McKenna : Joy Adamson
• Bill Travers : George Adamson
• Geoffrey Keen : Kendall
• Peter Lukoye : Nuru
• Omar Chambati : Makkede
• Bill Godden : Sam

Award wins:

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• Academy Award for Original Music Score ? (John Barry)
• Academy Award for Best Song ? (John Barry (music) & Don Black (lyrics))

Award nominations:

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• Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture - Drama
• DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures - (James H. Hill)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama ? (Virginia McKenna)
• Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song - Motion Picture ? (John Barry)
• Grammy Award for Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture - (John Barry)