Born Free holds a very special place in my heart for many reasons. It was one of the first theatrical films my brothers and I ever saw during one of its rereleases. The theme song and score, which won John Barry his first Academy Awards, have never left my memory. Nostalgia aside, this film’s message of unconditional love is timeless and emotionally stirring. Everyone in the world should see this film.
Based on a true story, Born Free tells the story of a British game keeper, George, and his wife, Joy, who lived in Kenya. After killing a lion and lioness that attacked him, George discovered that they had three kittens that he took home to Joy. She nursed and named them all but her heart went out to the runt of the litter, whom she named Elsa.
The kittens played and had a routinely domesticated cat life until they got too big, upon which two were sent to a zoo, with Elsa remaining as the couples pet. She followed Joy everywhere. When Joy sketched in the bush, Elsa sat patiently by her side. When Joy took a drive in their covered truck, Elsa would climb on top and ride along with comfortable aplomb.
After causing some elephants to stampede a village, it was decided that Elsa would have to be returned to the wild. Joy and George took great care to introduce her to wild lions and wild game that she could eat. Elsa, who had become as tamed as a house cat nearly starved. At one point they left her in the wild to see if she could survive the night. The next morning she wandered into their tent with obvious signs that another animal had seriously harmed her. This sparks the film’s most telling dialogue.
Seeing how hurt Elsa is from her night in the wild, George pleads with Joy, “What's wrong with a zoo, anyway?” A distraught Joy responds, “Nothing. Except that she won't be free.” George continues to argue, “And Is freedom so important?” Joy then slam dunks the debate with, “Yes, yes, she was born free and she has the right to live free. Why don't we live in a more comfortable setting George? Other people do. We chose to live out here cause it represents freedom for us. Because we can breathe.”
That scene blows me away as it so greatly defines freedom. Yes, Elsa’s life will be harder on the Serengeti than in a zoo. She will have to chase and kill her food instead of having it handed to her. Can we not draw all kinds of meaning from this? We all want freedom but no one ever said it comes easily. People who live their life on government assistance certainly think of themselves as free but can we not compare them to being in a zoo, getting things handed to them but living by the restrictions of that assistance?
Born Free also reminded me of my wife. Three years ago she came across a very young abandoned kitten under a bush. We were not certain of her age but her ears had yet to even appear. My wife nursed her, stimulated her bowls with a warm wash cloth and named her Katey. To this day, Katey will follow me from room to room and never objects to being held. Granted, Katey is smaller than Elsa, but the process was the same.
Born Free is about so many things but mostly it is a tale of love. Joy and George made the difficult decision of having to let Elsa go. As our youngest son just finished high school, I understand how this couple felt about forcing Elsa out into the scary world. Sure, our children may want to stay on for the free meals and easy living, but there comes a time for all cubs to leave their pride.
