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Private Benjamin (1980)

 -  Comedy | War  -  10 October 1980 (USA)
5.9
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Ratings: 5.9/10 from 12,305 users  
Reviews: 55 user | 17 critic

A sheltered young high society woman joins the army on a whim and finds herself in a more difficult situation than she ever expected.

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Title: Private Benjamin (1980)

Private Benjamin (1980) on IMDb 5.9/10

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Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
Teddy Benjamin
...
Harriet Benjamin
...
Pvt. Mary Lou Glass
...
1st Sgt. Jim Ballard
...
Yale Goodman
...
Rabbi
Estelle Marlov ...
Vocalist at Wedding
Everett Covin ...
Bandleader
Robert Hanley ...
Arnie
Lee Wallace ...
Mr. Waxman
James Dybas ...
Photographer
Edit

Storyline

When her husband dies in the wedding night Judy decides to join the army. What looks like a bad decision at first, turns out not so bad at all. That is, until her superior makes sexual advances. She is transferred to NATO headquarters in Europe and (re)meets the Frenchman Henri. Judy and Henri decide to marry, but will they ? Written by Berend Meijer <bmeijer@euronet.nl>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

army | nato | wedding night | wedding | 1980s | See more »

Taglines:

The army was no laughing matter until Judy Benjamin joined it.

Genres:

Comedy | War

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

10 October 1980 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

La pĂ­cara recluta  »

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$69,800,000 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In accordance with her role as producer, Goldie Hawn often arrived early in the morning before the crew arrived and stayed late at nights to work on advertising/publicity. She was also very heavily involved in the casting process. See more »

Goofs

When Judy finishes cleaning the latrine with her toothbrush she walks out of the room barefoot and carrying her black high heeled shoes. In the next shot however, she is wearing red, knee-high rubber boots which subsequently disappear, leaving her barefoot again. See more »

Quotes

Mrs. Goodman: [At Yale's funeral, he died of heart attack after sex] Please dear, I need to know. What were his last words?
Judy Benjamin: I'm coming.
See more »

Connections

Featured in I Love the '80s Strikes Back: 1980 (2003) See more »

Soundtracks

"Body and Soul"
(1930) (uncredited)
by Edward Heyman (as E. Heyman), Robert Sour (as R. Sour), Frank Eyton (as F. Eyton) and Johnny Green (as J. Green)
played by jazz band in lounge
See more »

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User Reviews

 
Salute!
7 April 2011 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

When it comes to comedy,there are many every day situations that are good fodder to build on.The military is one of them.You can take an endless list of comedic performers and,when examined,the whole idea of any of them being in the military is hysterical.Goldie Hawn is definitely on that list.Now,you need to surround her with the right people to make the idea work.Mission:Accomplished.Hawn's talents were complimented well in this film and we have ourselves a gem of a military comedy.While not the best ever made,it certainly is among the best.It has moments about midway where it drags just a little,but not enough to damage the overall viewing experience.


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