Bozeman Magazine

A Wild Night with Story Under the Stars

On Friday, August 28th, Friends of The Story Mansion and the Bozeman Film Society again collaborate to revive the wildly popular Story Under the Stars on the lush greenspace of Story Mansion Park! FOSM, dedicated to preserving Bozeman’s historic landmark as a thriving educational, cultural and social center, and the BFS, Bozeman’s forum for independent film, will screen the true adventure film and family favorite Born Free. Based on Joy Adamson’s book, this moving 1966 docudrama tells the story of how Joy and her game-warden husband, George, raised an orphaned lion cub as their own. Unwilling to send their beloved lioness, Elsa, to a zoo, they decide to teach her how to hunt and survive in the wild. Featuring the iconic Grammy and Oscar-Winning song and score from John Barry and beautifully photographed on the vast, golden savannas of central Africa, Born Free is a story of courage and love, Nature and human nature, and a relationship unlike any other ever filmed. Conservation techniques from that era have been updated and the animal footage, especially that of the lions in their various stages of development, is extraordinary and timelessly entertaining to all ages. The worldwide popularity of the film also laid the groundwork for the formation of a new generation of wildlife conservation groups. Rated PG, the film runs 85 minutes.

The evening kicks off at 7:00 pm and will feature a Zambia Carnivore Program presentation table with a sampling of lion radio collars and transmitters. Working Dogs for Conservation will give live detection dog demos, followed by a short film with a behind-the-leash look at how WD4C canine programs in Africa can help prevent poaching and reduce illegal trafficking in ivory and rhino horn! The Story Mansion will also be open for guided tours.

So walk, bike or carpool to the corner of College and S. Willson on Friday evening, August 28th with your blankets and low-back chairs for a family evening of WILD fun under the stars! Food trucks, popcorn, table displays and canine demonstrations start at 7:00 pm with films starting around 8:45 pm. The event is free and family-friendly. Story Under the Stars is underwritten by Friends of The Story Mansion, the Bozeman Film Society and the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation, with additional support from City of Bozeman, KTVM 6 & 42, Brickhouse Creative, and our enthusiastic volunteers. Rain date TBA. Keep ‘Em Flickering!