Description
Original 1972 US lobby card, qty: 8, used (36 x 28 cm)
Living Free is a 1972 British drama film, written by Millard Kaufman and directed by Jack Couffer. It is starred by Nigel Davenport, Susan Hampshire and Geoffrey Keen.[1] This film is a sequel to Born Free, which was based on the book of the same name by Joy Adamson. The film Living Free is also based on a book by Joy Adamson; however, it is not based on the book of the same name but is instead based on the third book in the series, Forever Free. Singer Julie Budd sang the title song, composed by Sol Kaplan and Freddy Douglass.
Plot
After Elsa the lioness dies, her three lion cubs (Jespah, Gopa and Little Elsa) are forced to move to a game preserve and must learn to hunt on their own with the help of George Adamson and his wife, Joy.
Cast
Nigel Davenport as George Adamson
Susan Hampshire as Joy Adamson
Geoffrey Keen as Kendall
Peter Lukoye as Nuru
Shane De Louvre as Makedde
Robert Beaumont as Billy Collins
Nobby Noble as Bank Manager
Allaudin Qureshi as Bank Clerk
Charles Hayes as Herbert Baker
Jean Hayes as Mrs. Herbert Baker
Edward Judd as Weaver
Reception
The film was nominated for one Golden Globe Awards for Best English-Language Foreign Film.
Andy Webb from “The Movie Scene” gave the film two out of five stars and stated: “What this all boils down to is that “Living Free” whilst still an entertaining movie is not a patch on “Born Free”. From the change in actors, through to the overlong recap and natural history lesson it just doesn’t feel right. And whilst the storyline itself relays some of the emotion of Joy and George’s battle to protect Elsa’s legacy the connection to the emotion never really comes across from the acting or the way the movie is directed. Howard Thompson from The New York Times wrote: “‘Born Free’ history is repeating itself and the freshness and novelty wear thin. Still, these are enterprising, well-meaning adults, the animals—all of them — and the exotic scenery are diverting and the picture is clean as a lion’s tooth, not that we’ve ever crawled up close for a look. “Living Free” is close enough to sensible entertainment for the children — and bright ones, too.”
Directed by Jack Couffer
Produced by Paul B. Radin
Written by Joy Adamson (Book), Millard Kaufman (Screenplay by)
Starring: Nigel Davenport, Susan Hampshire, Geoffrey Keen, Edward Judd, Peter Lukoye
Music by Sol Kaplan
Cinematography Wolfgang Suschitzky
Edited by Don Deacon
Production company: Columbia Pictures Corporation, Columbia Pictures, Open Road Films Highroad
Distributed by Columbia-Warner Distributors, Columbia Pictures, NBC
Release date: April 15, 1972 (Japan)
Running time: 90 minutes
Country: United Kingdom
