Customer Reviews

Benji

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have wanted to review this 1973 family classic for a very long time now, but it has been extraordinarily difficult to review something and someone who was a truly vital part of my childhood. Some of my earliest memories are of this loveable little dog. When the 25th anniversary edition of the film came out in 1998, I finally had the chance to reacquaint myself with my dear old friend, and it was a truly moving experience. All these years later, Benji remains the ultimate family movie experience. It can be quite a sad and touching experience, as well, and my emotional attachment to it has kept me from reviewing it for far too long already. The children (and adults) of every generation need to be acquainted with this film; Benji is the great American dog who has rightly been called America's Most Huggable Hero. I absolutely treasure this film from my childhood, and I want all children to feel the love this movie expresses and epitomizes.

The story of this movie is almost as extraordinary as the film itself. Everybody laughed at Joe Camp when he described the movie he wanted to make. This man who had never even made a movie or worked with animals before was committed to writing, producing, and directing a film told from the viewpoint of a dog. There would be no dubbed voices telling the audience what the dog was thinking; the dog himself would communicate his feelings through his demeanor and facial expressions. Even Frank Inn, Benji's owner, thought the idea was crazy when Camp came to him looking for a dog who could act. It just so happened, though, that Camp spotted Benji and immediately knew he had found his star. Benji was already an older dog who had retired from a distinguished seven-year career on the television show Petticoat Junction. Frank Inn, the man who had rescued Benji from the pound many years earlier, didn't know it, but Benji's greatest performance was yet to come.

In a way, the story of the movie is rather simple. Benji is a stray who is loved by folks all over the neighborhood, yet the place he calls home is a lonely, abandoned house. Every day, he follows the same routine: he first heads to the Chapman house to be fed and loved by young Cindy and Paul (whose father will not allow them to keep a stray dog), then he is off to chase a neighboring cat (whose owner is played by Frances "Aunt Bee" Bavier), wake up old Bill (Petticoat Junction buddy Edgar Buchanan) at the café, entertain a police officer, and rummage for food in the park. One special day, Benji meets a cute little white dog in the park, and the two of them become inseparable. Then disaster strikes; Benji's home is invaded by strangers who kidnap Cindy and Paul and hold them hostage there. Benji goes all over town trying to tell his human friends where the children are, but no one will listen to him. If he is to save the children he loves as well as his new friend Tiffany, he is going to have to come up with a way to make the humans understand him.

The last twenty minutes of this film are among the most powerful cinematic moments I have ever witnessed. Benji turns in one of the greatest performances of all time. Laugh if you will, but I consider Benji's performance one of the ten greatest performances of all time - that includes human as well as animal actors. Two scenes in particular reveal the depth of Benji's acting skills. I cannot describe what happens here without giving away important plot details, but it sends tears pouring down my cheeks no matter how many times I watch it. You can literally read Benji's thought process and intense emotions on his face. While it may not be manly to admit, I actually sob during these climactic scenes. To be honest, I cry many times throughout this movie. I am one of those people who love animals more than people, really, and I can't stand to see an animal sad or hurt. Benji's loneliness at the beginning of the movie touches me deeply, and his joyful relationship with his new little friend Tiffany moves me beyond words. The later scenes, though, include one traumatic moment that almost breaks my heart when it happens.

Obviously, I could sing praises to Benji all day. This is one of the greatest movies of all time; there really is no other movie like it. Joe Camp succeeded fabulously in telling this story from Benji's point of view. Even the most minor human characters express feelings that go far beyond mere words, and the music, while certainly evocative of the early 1970s era, complements and intensifies every scene perfectly. (The theme song I Feel the Love, sung by Charlie Rich, won a Golden Globe award and was nominated for an Academy Award.) In closing, I must mention the fact that Benji was as much a hero in real life as he was in this feature film. This vintage American "mutt" whom Frank Inn rescued from an animal shelter as a puppy really left an impressive mark on this world. He and owner Frank Inn literally toured the world, bringing joy to untold numbers of children. More importantly, he indirectly saved the lives of thousands of dogs waiting and hoping to be adopted from animal shelters. I love Benji as if he were my very own dog; he was a ray of sunlight in my childhood and he remains a true hero to me still. I dearly hope that today's children can get to know and love this dog and this movie as much as I do.

I watched this film last night for the first time since I was a child. Move over, CITIZEN KANE--this film should be number one on AFI's Greatest Films of All Time List! I bawled when little independent Benji was trying to communicate with the police that he knew where the kidnapped children were being held hostage. He worked his furry butt off trying to rescue them!

Especially moving is the scene in which Benji finally figures out how to get the attention of the police and family and makes a mad dash over there. All the while, these flashbacks and connections loop through his canine brain: the bound children, his lady dog friend being kicked by one of the sinister kidnappers, the menace of handguns, etc. This is where I just couldn't stop crying. This movie is more than just a cute kids' film--it's a paean to the loyalty and love of dogs everywhere!

ROCK ON, BENJI!

P.S. Includes an Oscar -worthy performance from Frances Bavier of Aunt Bee (THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW) fame

I grew up watching this movie. And as long as I can remember, it has given me such a comfort throughout my trials medically and emotionally as a child. Although some of the content may "scare" young children, it had more of a positive effect on me. All kids are different so I would reccomend that the parent or guardian watch the movie first before you let your child.

Anyway, watch the movie with an open mind and let you decide yourself if it's worth seeing again. :)

Benji is an excellent movie for the whole family or for anyone who loves animals. Benji is adorable as well as his female maltese companian, Tiffany.

Ive been a major fan of Benji when i was a child growing up in the 80's and i was so into this movie that it was the only movie i always wanted to watch. this movie is PERFECT for boys and guys cause its a dog movie and its also perfect for kids to enjoy because its a movie thats seen from a animals point of view. Benji is THE most popular dog in the ENTIRE wold. He outstrips Lassie and Rin Tin Tin even Beethoven. Id totally recomend that EVERYONE buy this DVD and any other Benji movie for each one is filled with memorable and enjoyable scenes. youll fall madly in love with this dog ^_^

BENJI is one of the finest films made about the trials and errors of society, as seen through the eyes of a cute male canine. This pooch wants nothing more than friendship and understanding from his daily interactions with the human species. He befriends a pair of siblings and their housekeeper who call him Benji and treat him as a respected family member.

Through the course of the film, we are given a dramatic presentation of canine emotions and perceptions, showing how closely a dog's world resembles our own. Benji develops a romantic interest as well. He is undoubtedly the hero of this story, as he courageously comes to the rescue of his human friends after they are kidnapped. There are some intense moments in the film dealing with the horrors of abduction, but through it all, Benji comes out the winner and is given his due recognition.

This film is highly recommended for family viewing. Both old and young will probably find it a worthwhile lesson of life and its challenges through the eyes of "man's best friend".

I loved this movie! Benji is adorable! I want a dog just like him! That little terrier is so expressive, you really know what he's thinking. My favorite part was Benji's romance with the "Park Avenue cutie", Tiffany. This is a completely family-friendly movie. I would reccomend it to animal lovers and to familys who want a lovable movie with one of the most huggable animal actors of all time. Benji is a one-in-a-million movie.

Truly a nostalgic trip back to my childhood - the film is just as engaging as I remember (although a little more violent than I recalled, with the kids getting kidnapped and Benji's poor girlfriend pooch getting literally kicked to the side at one point) All in all a very cute and engaging tale of a lone dog and his world. My toddler LOVES Benji (and almost all dog movies)

benji is the best movie ever. it is heart-warming, cute and witty.

Joe Camp's "Benji" (1974) is a classic in the truest sense of the word. Starring one of the most incredibly expressive canine actors of all time, "Benji" is a wonderful family film for kids (and adults) of all ages. In fact, it is hard to imagine anyone not liking this timeless film.

The Benji of the title is a stray dog who has seemingly been adopted by everyone in the small town in which he resides. In the extended opening sequence, Benji makes his morning rounds, where he greets all his human friends, each of whom have a different name for him. But it is obvious his heart belongs to the Chapman children, Paul and Cindy (Allen Fiuzat and Cynthia Smith), and their housekeeper Mary (Patsy Garrett). Unfortunately, their father, Dr. Chapman (Peter Breck), won't allow them to keep him. Still, Benji has a full and carefree life with all his friends, and even takes care of and romances a lost female pooch he finds one day. Then things take a turn for the worse when kidnappers show up in the old, abandoned house he calls home. And who should they have kidnapped, but Benji's beloved Paul and Cindy, and it's not long before Benji realizes it's up to him to save the day.

What makes "Benji" work so well is that the dog who plays Benji (Higgins) is so expressive he is seemingly able to convey thought, so there is no need for any corny voice over work for the audience to understand exactly what Benji is up to at any time during the movie. Also, Camp films the vast majority of the film from Benji's viewpoint, so the audience actually sees and understands everything as Benji would. It doesn't hurt that the darned dog is so adorable and easy to root for. He is given able support by his human costars, whose performances are uneven but perfectly suitable for the proceedings.

But then again, it's useless to even discuss performance or production values in a film like this. The important thing is will it entertain children and the answer is a resounding "yes!" Better yet, unlike much of the dreck that passes as children's fare these days (with the exception of the "Shrek" films and the Pixar stuff) adults will be as entertained as their children. And even though things take a sinister turn and one of the kidnappers is a sadistic, dog-kicking creep, there is nothing here that is unsuitable for even the youngest child, and parents can rest assured that everything ends happily.

If ever a film deserved a possessive credit, then it's Joe Camp's "Benji," since Camp wrote, produced, directed and practically released it on his own since in 1974 no studio in Hollywood would release it. Therefore, Camp deserves all the credit for creating one of the best family films of the past thirty years, with an invaluable assist by Higgins' trainer, the remarkable Frank Inn. Both men became minor celebrities after the release of "Benji," and followed it up with a less successful, but still entertaining, sequel named "For the Love of Benji" that takes place in Greece. And "Benji" even can be called an "Academy Award Nominee" in that it's bouncy theme song, "I Feel Love", sung by Charlie Rich, was nominated for a Best Song Oscar.

In all, you cannot go wrong with "Benji." It appears to have been re-released on DVD thanks to the new "Benji" movie that opened a couple of weeks ago. This is good news since it is very hard to find, so snatch it up while you have a chance. Even though there are no extras and only fullscreen versions available (why oh why?), its picture and sound quality are stellar and it ranks as a good buy regardless. Your kids will love you for it. **** (out of *****)