Private Benjamin
Seen it?1980 | 110 min | Comedy
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (82% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, though it had a lukewarm 6.0 out of 10 from audiences. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Light and funny.
- The pace
- Breezy, at 1 hr 50 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A sheltered young high society woman joins the US Army on a whim and finds herself in a more difficult situation than she ever expected.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
82% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.0 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen. Also nominated for 3 Oscars and 1 Golden Globe.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$70 million worldwide on a $15 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 151K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Howard Zieff
- Goldie HawnJudy Benjamin
- Eileen BrennanCapt. Doreen Lewis
- Armand AssanteHenrí Trémont
- Robert WebberCol. Clay Thornbush
- Sam WanamakerTeddy Benjamin
- Barbara BarrieHarriet Benjamin
- Mary Kay PlacePvt. Mary Lou Glass
- Harry Dean StantonSgt. Jim Ballard
- Albert BrooksYale Goodman
- Alan OppenheimerRabbi