Rating summary
| Movie |  | 4.0 |
| Video |  | 5.0 |
| Audio | | 5.0 |
| Extras |  | 2.0 |
| Overall | | 4.0 |
Born Free Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 21, 2017
James Hill's "Born Free" (1966) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Eureka Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include restored original trailers for the film; promotional materials from the Born Free Foundation; music and effects track; and audio commentary featuring film historians Jon Burlingame, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Elsa
James Hill’s
Born Free recreates true events that are chronicled in Joy Adamson’s popular bestselling novel of the same name. The film went on to win two Oscar Awards for Best Original Music Score and Best Original Song, though interestingly enough when it was initially released in Britain the theme song was apparently not present on the original theatrical version.
The film begins in Kenya where British game warden and experienced hunter George Adamson (Bill Travers) kills a dangerous lion and his lioness and brings home their three cubs. George and his wife Joy (Virginia McKenna) then decide to look after the cubs until they are old enough to survive on their own. For a while it seems like a great idea, but when the cubs grow bigger and begin causing problems on the small ranch George and Joy send two of them to a zoo in Europe. The third, Elsa, they agree to keep with them on the ranch. Soon after, the three develop a remarkably strong bond that surprises even some of the natives that have been assisting George with his challenging work with the wild animals. Eventually, George and Joy attempt to set Elsa free so that she can return back to her natural habitat, but the lioness has a very difficult time surviving on her own and nearly dies. When she recovers, George and Joy slowly begin teaching her how to be independent and trust her instincts.
A lot of the footage that shows the interactions between Elsa and her ‘parents’ is beyond extraordinary. There appears to be a truly special bond between them that cannot possibly be faked in front of a rolling camera. The lioness clearly responds to George and Joy’s words with affection that feels completely pure and spontaneous, and this is what essentially makes the entire film so fascinating to behold.
It has to be made very clear that Travers and McKenna’s performances are also outrageously fearless. If they ever felt uncomfortable, concerned, or frightened while shooting a specific sequence with the big and dangerous animals around them it certainly never shows. In fact, exactly the opposite seems true, as the more time one spends watching them playing with the animals or driving them around, the clearer it becomes that these are not at all controlled performances. They were actual, authentic experiences that were simply captured by a film camera.
A lot of these types of animal films typically allow plenty of conventional melodrama in the stories they tell presumably because it makes it easier for the audience to relate to the experiences their characters have. (See Simon Wincer’s
Free Willy). This isn’t the case with Hill’s film. While there are some specific editing choices that help to strengthen the desired atmosphere during key sequences (such as the one where Elsa for instance is taken out on a blind date), virtually the entire film has the authentic vibe of a poetic period documentary feature.
* Adamson published her first novel about Elsa,
Born Free, in 1960. She then wrote two more novels about Elsa and her cubs,
Living Free (1961) and
Forever Free (1962).
Born Free Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, James Hill's Born Free arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment.
The release is sourced from a 4K master that was prepared by Sony Pictures in the United States. The same master was also accessed by Twilight Time when the first high-definition release of the film arrived on the market in 2015.
The film looks very healthy and appropriately vibrant. There are only a few segments where some very minor density fluctuations can be seen, but it is important to remember that there is actually footage that was shot on-location under different weather conditions and then edited. So these are not recently introduced digital anomalies. Detail and depth are very good, while fluidity is about as good as it can possibly be for a film of this caliber. The color scheme is also very convincing, boasting plenty of solid primaries and wonderful healthy nuances. Image stability is very good. There are no distracting debris, damage marks, cuts, stains, warped or torn frames to report in our review. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
Born Free Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0 (Stereo). Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
The audio has been fully remastered and it easily shows. Clarity is excellent, there are no wild dynamic fluctuations, and age-related imperfections have been effectively removed. A few minor fluctuations in terms of depth and fluidity exist, but they are part of the film's original sound design.
Born Free Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Music and Effects Track - presented as LPCM 2.0.
- Commentary - featuring film historians Jon Burlingame, Julie Kirgo, and Nick Redman.
- Born Free Foundation - The Spirit of Elsa - this featurette highlights the important work the Born Free Foundation does in Kenya. In English. (18 min).
- Born Free Foundation - Elsa the Lioness Rescue - additional featurette about a lioness names Elsa that needs a new home. In English, not subtitled. (6 min).
- Born Free Foundation - 2016 Promotional Video - in English, not subtitled. (3 min).
- Theatrical Trailer - restored original trailer for Born Free. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).
- Teaser Trailer - restored original teaser trailer for Born Free. In English, not subtitled. (1 min).
Born Free Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
This very beautiful and uplifting film really needed a serious makeover so that one can appreciate the tremendous vision and bravery of its creators. Thankfully, Sony's new 4K master is fantastic and the film now looks and sounds simply wonderful on Blu-ray. Kudos to Eureka Entertainment for adding it to their impressive catalog. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
