Poster for Born Free

Born Free (1966) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

At a national park in Kenya, English game warden George Adamson and his wife, Joy, care for three orphaned lion cubs. After the two larger lions are shipped off to a zoo in the Netherlands, the smallest of the three, Elsa, stays with the couple. When Elsa is blamed for causing an elephant stampede in the nearby village, head warden John Kendall demands the young lion either be trained to survive in the wilds of the Serengeti or be sent to a zoo.

Rated NR • 1966 • 1h 35m

6.8
100+
Average rating by Bontent members
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Age
7+

This classic true story follows a Kenyan couple who raise an orphaned lion cub and eventually work to return her to the wild. Although the film is unrated, it is recommended for ages 7 and up due to scenes of animal peril, including lion attacks and intense charging sequences that may be frightening for younger viewers. While there is moderate animal-related tension, the film is primarily a gentle drama focused on conservation and… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Virginia McKenna
Virginia McKenna
Bill Travers
Bill Travers
Geoffrey Keen
Geoffrey Keen
PL
Peter Lukoye
OC
Omar Chambati
BG
Bill Godden
RS
Robert S. Young
BE
Bryan Epsom
GB
Geoffrey Best
RC
Robert Cheetham
SP
Surya Patel
E
Elsa
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Is Born Free appropriate for kids?

This classic true story follows a Kenyan couple who raise an orphaned lion cub and eventually work to return her to the wild. Although the film is unrated, it is recommended for ages 7 and up due to scenes of animal peril, including lion attacks and intense charging sequences… Read more — free account

Content severity in Born Free

Sex None 0/10
Violence Strong 6/10
Language None 0/10
Substances None 0/10
Themes Moderate 3/10

What happens in Born Free, moment by moment

  1. 0:39 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
  2. 1:03 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
  3. 1:18 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
See the full timeline with a free account →

Sex and nudity in Born Free

None.

Violence and gore in Born Free

Moderate. Lion attacks, a charging-animal scare, and the threat to Elsa's life; bloodless but with real peril.

Language in Born Free

None of note.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Born Free

None of note.

Mature themes in Born Free

Freedom, love, and respecting wild animals. A beloved conservation classic; the peril is mild and the message gentle.

Scary moments in Born Free

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Born Free yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Born Free appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Born Free is best for ages 7+. It's rated NR. This classic true story follows a Kenyan couple who raise an orphaned lion cub and eventually work to return her to the wild. Although the film is unrated, it is recommended for ages 7 and up due to scenes of animal…

What age rating does Born Free have?

Born Free is officially rated NR. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 7+.

What is Born Free about?

This classic true story follows a Kenyan couple who raise an orphaned lion cub and eventually work to return her to the wild. Although the film is unrated, it is recommended for ages 7 and up due to scenes of animal peril, including lion attacks and intense charging sequences that may be frightening for younger…

Is there sex or nudity in Born Free?

None.

How violent is Born Free?

Moderate. Lion attacks, a charging-animal scare, and the threat to Elsa's life; bloodless but with real peril.

Is the language in Born Free appropriate for kids?

None of note.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Born Free?

None of note.

What mature themes appear in Born Free?

Freedom, love, and respecting wild animals. A beloved conservation classic; the peril is mild and the message gentle.

How long is Born Free?

Born Free runs 95 minutes, directed by James Hill, Tom McGowan, released in 1966.

Where can I read the full Born Free parent guide?

Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.

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