From Born Free to Downton Abbey

A rather star-studded branch of the family tree.

Virginia McKenna married Denholm Elliott in 1954 but they divorced in 1957 and in the same year she married Bill Travers with whom starred with in the Born Free film trilogy. Her Born Free Foundation owned a house and shop in Lochcarron.

Peregrine Falcon, Born Free Foundation, Lochcarron, May 2002.

Their niece Angela Morant (I Claudius) is married to Ben Kingsley (Ghandi).

Another niece, Dame Penelope Winton (Downton Abbey, Dr Who, Shaun of the Dead) was married to Sir Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins in Lord of the Rings and David Rizzio in Mary Queen of Scots) and Daniel Massey (Robert Dudley in Mary Queen of Scots).

Daniel Massey went on to marry Penelope Winton’s younger sister, Linda.

Lindon-Travers family tree
The original trailer in high definition of Born Free (1966) directed by James Hill and Tom McGowan. Starring Virginia McKenna, Bill Travers, Geoffrey Keen and Peter Lukoye.
Sallah and Marcus Run ! Scene from Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade. With Denholm Elliott and John Rhys-Davies. Directed by Steven Spielberg.
Mary Beard reunites Brian Blessed, Siân Phillips and Derek Jacobi to discuss the 1976 series I, Claudius.
Gandhi – Trailer (1982).
Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey.
Dr Who’s Harriet Jones, MP for Flydale North and later British Prime Minister.
Mary Queen of Scots (1971) Trailer.
Downton Abbey film, Official Trailer.

Leave a comment