With Bill Travers, she starred in the box
office hit, 'Born Free' (1965), based on the work of gamekeeper George
Adamson and wife Joy with lions in Kenya, and the following year they
made 'The Lions Are Free' (1967), a documentary about the lion cubs
of Born Free. Subsequently, she and Travers established a charity
called Zoo Check (later the Born Free Foundation), reflecting their
concern for protecting wild life, and they appeared in several animal
oriented films, including ‘An Elephant Called Slowly’
(1969).
She
continued to work on the stage until the early 60s, with Old Vic and
RSC seasons; appeared in international films, including ‘The Wreck
of the Mary Deare’ (1959) and ‘Waterloo’ (1970.) Returned
to the screen in two cameos: in Staggered (1994), as a Scottish recluse,
and Sliding Doors (1998), fleetingly as John Hannahs mother.
She
has continued to appear in TV dramas with a striking role in 'The Scold's
Bridle' (1998). Although her stage performances have been infrequent,
they have still been significant, and include playing Desiree Armfeldt
in 'A Little Night Music' at the Adelphi (1976); winning the Olivier
Award for Best Actress in a musical for her performance in 'The King
and I' (1979) with Yul Brynner; and, with the RSC, playing Queen Gertrude
to Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet (1984 & 1985).
She
now is at least semi-retired although he has been appearing in TV dramas
such as 'The Whistle-Blower' (2001) as Theresa Elliot and 'Marple: A
Murder Is Announced' (2005) as Belle Goedler.
In 2004, she was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List for services
to the arts and animal conservation.
Autobiographies:
Suggested
films to see:
Born
Free (1966)
Carve her name with pride (1958)
A town like Alice (1956)