Ben (1972)

User Rating:

4.6/10   

Director:

Phil Karlson

Writers:

Gilbert Ralston (characters)
Gilbert Ralston (screenplay)

Release Date:

23 June 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Where 'WILLARD' ended... Ben begins. And this time, he's not alone!

Plot:

A lonely boy, played by Lee H. Montgomery, becomes good friends with Ben, a rat. This rat is also the leader of a pack of vicious killer rats...

Plot Keywords:

Rat | Sewer | Eaten Alive By Rats | Heart Condition | Sequel

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win

Cast

Lee Montgomery	...	David Garrison
Joseph Campanella	...	Cliff Kirtland
Arthur O'Connell	...	Bill Hatfield
Rosemary Murphy	...	Beth Garrison
Meredith Baxter	...	Eve Garrison
Kaz Garas	...	Joe Greer
Paul Carr	...	Kelly
Richard Van Vleet	...	Reade
Kenneth Tobey	...	Engineer
James Luisi	...	Ed
Lee Paul	...	Careu
Norman Alden	...	Policeman
Scott Garrett	...	Henry Gray
Arlen Stuart	...	Mrs. Gray
Ric Drasin	...	George (as Richard Drasin)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:15 | USA:PG | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Bing Crosby Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: When Beth and Eve discuss their concern about David, the daughter turns her head towards her mom twice.

Movie Connections:

Features Willard (1971)

Well, "Willard" was making money so here comes "Ben"

I saw Willard so I wanted to see what happened to the smartest rat he trained, Ben.

What happened to him was Walt Disneyism snuck in and made this movie.

I was very disappointed. Ben was smart..so what do you do? You find him a friend who's a little boy who has a heart problem and end of horror, bring in "cute little fuzzy rat" Ben with cute little fuzzy heart problem boy who loves cute little fuzzy rat Ben. Yikes!!!!

Did I mention Michael Jackson sang the theme song?

Since they are re-doing "Willard" for 2003, and if it makes a few dollars, ya just know "Ben" is in the works.

Let me just suggest, PLEASE don't make it into the cute little fuzzy rat we need to feel sorry for and the cute little boy who looses the cute little rat and cried or has a heart attack...whatever.

Ben is smart. Ben can read. Ben is worried about his own survival. Work with that.

And did I mention, you can STILL have Michael Jackson sing the lead song. Ooooh, chilling!

"Ben" is a low-income sequel, not spectacular, not chilling, not even horrific.

But, at least, Micheal Jackson Sings the theme to the song. That should scare ya.