IMDb > Private Benjamin (1980)
Private Benjamin
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Private Benjamin (1980) More at IMDbPro »

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Private Benjamin (1980) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
5.9/10   7,827 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 34% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Nancy Meyers (written by) &
Charles Shyer (written by) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Private Benjamin on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 October 1980 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The army was no laughing matter until Judy Benjamin joined it.
Plot:
A sheltered young high society woman joins the army on a whim and finds herself in a more difficult situation than she ever expected. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 1 win & 1 nomination more
User Comments:
A very cute and enjoyable comedy more (47 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Goldie Hawn ... Pvt. Judy Benjamin - Judy Goodman
Eileen Brennan ... Capt. Doreen Lewis

Armand Assante ... Henri Alan Tremont
Robert Webber ... Col. Clay Thornbush
Sam Wanamaker ... Teddy Benjamin
Barbara Barrie ... Harriet Benjamin

Mary Kay Place ... Pvt. Mary Lou Glass

Harry Dean Stanton ... 1st Sgt. Jim Ballard

Albert Brooks ... Yale Goodman
Alan Oppenheimer ... Rabbi
Estelle Marlov ... Vocalist at Wedding
Everett Covin ... Bandleader
Robert Hanley ... Arnie
Lee Wallace ... Mr. Waxman
James Dybas ... Photographer
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Additional Details

Runtime:
109 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
P.J. Soles, who plays Pvt. Wanda Winter also plays Stella the following year in the army flick Stripes (1981) with Bill Murray. more
Goofs:
Errors in geography: After Judy has arranged her posting to Europe, there are aerial shots of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower. This is followed by a voice-over of Judy describing how lovely it is "here in Belgium". The next shot shows her posting location - S.H.A.P.E. headquarters, which actually is in Belgium - followed by another shot with the Eiffel Tower in the background. Why would she live in Paris if she works in Mons, 2.5 hour's drive away? more
Quotes:
Judy Benjamin: You did Claire's *dishes*? more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in Puss 'n Boots (1982) more
Soundtrack:
Hava Nagila more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
A very cute and enjoyable comedy, 19 October 2006
7/10
Author: Kristine (kristinedrama14@msn.com) from Chicago, Illinois

Gosh, I don't know how many times I passed this movie up in my mom's collection. But I never really had an interest in this film, but my mom told me what a great comedy it was and that I should give it a chance. So, finally, today I got some time and watched it and I'm glad I did. Private Benjamin is a great comedy staring then new comer Goldie Hawn. I didn't realize how much she was meant for comedy, I've seen some of her work like Overboard and Death Becomes her, but usually she has the supporting cast helping her in the comedy, this time she was on her own and did great.

She plays Judy Benjamin, a 29 year old whose been married twice, her last husband died on her, literally, had a heart attack while he was making love to her. So, since she has always been taken care of, a stranger helps her out and recruits her in the army showing her the AFTERMATH of what she could have in the future, but she thinks that she's getting all the good stuff immediately. Therefore, she becomes the princess of the boot camp, but after a harsh talk with her folks, she realizes she needs the army and to become strong. She ends up meeting a suave French man and gets transferred to Paris after graduation, but she soon realizes who she needs most in life: herself.

Private Benjamin is a great comedy that I think anyone could get a little kick out of. It has great jokes and fun moments that I had a good time watching. Not to mention, Goldie Hawn is just so adorable and you definitely want to keep rooting for her during the film, she's just great.

7/10

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Private Benjamin (1980)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Music? cannoli21
TV Land version -- missing a snippet of dialogue. sleazerama
Peter Mac Nicol as extra??? Mudd!
The Ending jpar0308
What is the blue stuff? vixsmith1982
Does anyone know? Nicole_Kidman_FreaK
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