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IMDbPro

Ben

  • 19721972
  • PGPG
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
Ben (1972)
Official Home Video Trailer
Play trailer1:50
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaHorrorThriller
A lonely boy befriends Ben, the leader of a violent pack of killer rats.A lonely boy befriends Ben, the leader of a violent pack of killer rats.A lonely boy befriends Ben, the leader of a violent pack of killer rats.
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
    • Phil Karlson
    • Stephen Gilbert(characters)
    • Gilbert Ralston
  • Stars
    • Lee Montgomery
    • Joseph Campanella
    • Arthur O'Connell
    • Phil Karlson
    • Stephen Gilbert(characters)
    • Gilbert Ralston
  • Stars
    • Lee Montgomery
    • Joseph Campanella
    • Arthur O'Connell
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 46User reviews
    • 44Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar

    Videos1

    Ben
    Trailer 1:50
    Watch Ben

    Photos122

    Ben (1972)
    Ben (1972)
    1 sheet, 27 x 41
    Ben (1972)
    Ben (1972)
    Bruce Davison in Willard (1971)
    Ben (1972)
    Lee Montgomery in Ben (1972)
    Ben in Ben (1972)
    Joseph Campanella in Ben (1972)
    Arthur O'Connell in Ben (1972)
    Joseph Campanella, Kaz Garas, Arthur O'Connell, and Hunter von Leer in Ben (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lee Montgomery
    Lee Montgomery
    • Danny Garrison
    • (as Lee Harcourt Montgomery)
    Joseph Campanella
    Joseph Campanella
    • Cliff Kirtland
    Arthur O'Connell
    Arthur O'Connell
    • Billy Hatfield
    Rosemary Murphy
    Rosemary Murphy
    • Beth Garrison
    Meredith Baxter
    Meredith Baxter
    • Eve Garrison
    Kaz Garas
    Kaz Garas
    • Joe Greer
    Paul Carr
    Paul Carr
    • Kelly
    Richard Van Vleet
    Richard Van Vleet
    • Reade
    Kenneth Tobey
    Kenneth Tobey
    • Engineer
    James Luisi
    James Luisi
    • Ed
    Lee Paul
    Lee Paul
    • Carey
    Norman Alden
    Norman Alden
    • Policeman
    Scott Garrett
    • Henry Gray
    Arlen Stuart
    • Mrs. Gray
    Ric Drasin
    Ric Drasin
    • George
    • (as Richard Drasin)
    Ben
    • Ben
    • (uncredited)
    Bruce Davison
    Bruce Davison
    • Willard Stiles
    • (archive footage)
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Farmer
    Frank Farmer
    • Police Officer
    • (uncredited)
      • Phil Karlson
      • Stephen Gilbert(characters)
      • Gilbert Ralston
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Michael Jackson, his theme song for this film, "Ben", played during the final scene and the closing credits, was one of his favorite songs. It was written for the film by lyricist Don Black and composer Walter Scharf. It was also the title track on Jackson's second solo album, released just before his 14th birthday, and became a #1 hit on the pop charts -- a first as a solo artist for Jackson.
    • Goofs
      Toward the end when the police and firemen attack the rats in the sewers with flamethrowers and the rats fight back, you can see twice when the scene of the flamethrower action is shown in reverse so it appears that the rats are advancing - you can see the flames going back into the flamethrowers.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Danny Garrison: [crying, as Michael Jackson sings "Ben" in the score] You'll get well, Ben, and I'll get well. We'll get well, Ben.

      [places Ben on a handkerchief]

      Danny Garrison: We'll get well, Ben. No one's gonna hurt one of my friends. No, sir.

      [gets out first aid kit, takes a cotton swab and gently rubs Ben's wounds]

      Danny Garrison: It's okay.

      [Ben squeaks]

      Danny Garrison: You're the only friend I have. I love you, Ben.

      [Michael Jackson sings the final verse of "Ben" as the credits roll]

    • Connections
      Edited from Willard (1971)
    • Soundtracks
      Ben's Song
      Lyrics by Don Black
      Music by Walter Scharf
      Sung and played on piano and harmonica by Lee Montgomery (uncredited)
      Sung by Michael Jackson during the final scene and end credits
      © 1972 Motown Record Corp.

    User reviews46

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Marionettes!
    This movie was awesome! Really! The main kid (Lee Montgomery) makes the whole "best friends with a rat" story seem believable! And, he does a puppet show! He spins around while playing the harmonica! Cool haircut, too. He's radical!

    Worth watching just to see him write the song to Ben at the piano while Elise Keaton looks on.

    Rent it!
    helpful•14
    8
    • prohibited-name-1130
    • Oct 17, 2000

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 23, 1972 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Higgins-Verbeck-Hirsch Mansion - 637 South Lucerne Boulevard, Windsor Square, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Bing Crosby Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 34 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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