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Private Benjamin (1980)

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Average Rating: 6.7/10
Reviews Counted: 23
Fresh: 20 | Rotten: 3

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3/5
User Ratings: 34,367

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Movie Info

Devastated when her brand-new husband (Albert Brooks) drops dead on their wedding night, Jewish American princess Judy Benjamin (Goldie Hawn) is receptive to the pitch delivered by a duplicitous recruiter for the Women's Army Corps. Quickly adivsed by topkick Captain Lewis (Eileen Brennan) that she should not look forward to the private room, fancy clothes and sauna bath that she'd been promised, Judy is forced to go through basic training like any other "grunt". This turns out to be a real

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Comedy

Directed By: Howard Zieff

Written By: Nancy Meyers, Charles Shyer, Harvey Miller

In Theaters: Oct 7, 1980 Wide

On DVD: May 1, 2001

Warner Bros. Pictures

Private Benjamin Trailer & Photos

Cast

Goldie Hawn
Judy Benjamin
Eileen Brennan
Capt. Doreen Lewis
Armand Assante
Henri Tremont
Robert Webber
Col. Clay Thornbush
Sam Wanamaker
Teddy Benjamin
Barbara Barrie
Harriet Benjamin
Mary Kay Place
Pvt. Mary Lou Glass
Harry Dean Stanton
Sgt. Jim Ballard
Albert Brooks
Yale Goodman
Alan Oppenheimer
Rabbi
Estelle Marlov
Everett Covin
Band Leader
Robert Hanley
Arnie
Lee Wallace
Mr. Waxman
James Dybas
Gretchen Wyler
Aunt Kitty
Maxine Stuart
Aunt Betty
Lillian Adams
Mrs. Goodman
Sandy Weintraub
Tim Haldeman
Stanley Goodman
Kopi Sotiropulos
Limo Passerby
Stu Nahan
Newscaster
J.P. Bumstead
Induction Officer
Estelle Marlow
Hal Williams
Sgt. L.C. Ross
Toni Kalem
Pvt. Ganelli
Damita Jo Freeman
Pvt. Gloria Moe
Alston Ahern
Pvt. P.J. Soyer
P.J. Soles
Pvt. Wanda Winter
Craig T. Nelson
Capt. William Woodbridg...
James Barnett
Raymond Oliver
Robin Hoff
Red Team Soldier
Ed Lewis
Red Team Soldier
Carrol Davis Carson
Clay Wright
Danny Wells
Slick Guy
Keone Young
Kim Osaka
George Roberts
Helen Baron
Paul Marin
Leo Lemish
Mimi Maynard
Liz Lemish
Alice Hirson
Mrs. Thornbush
Wil Albert
Lt. Rahmi
Richard Herd
General Foley
Sally Kirkland
Helga
Denise Halma
Lilyan Chauvin
Mrs. Tremont
David Olivier
Elie Liardet
Allison Caine

Critic Reviews for Private Benjamin

All Critics (28) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (20) | Rotten (3) | DVD (1)

Goldie Hawn gives a charming, Oscar-nominated performance in this lightly feminist service comedy.

May 1, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Goldie Hawn at the height of her powers.

November 6, 2005 Comment

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Funny, popular Goldie Hawn comedy set in army boot camp.

June 12, 2005 Comment

Steve Crum

Kansas City Kansan Source: Kansas City Kansan

Private Benjamin is a comic fairy tale with a delightful performance by Goldie Hawn.

January 29, 2004 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

Why do people like this movie? I don't get it,

January 7, 2004 Comment (1)

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Military mockery featuring Hawn as a spoiled princess in army boots. Private Benjamin deserves combat pay for its slaphappy fish-out-of-water premise...a real hoot-and-a-half

May 29, 2003 Comment

Frank Ochieng

Movie Eye

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Audience Reviews for Private Benjamin

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An okay movie, but it reminded me of the 50s movie, Never Wave at a WAC, which was funnier than this movie. There are some funny scenes in this movie, but it's mostly pretty boring, and I hate the ending.

September 6, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

I first saw Private Benjamin back in the late 80's and I didn't really understand it and was puzzled as to why all the adults in the room were laughing. However, upon watching it again the other day I finally understand why my mother laughed so hard. There is a little more to it than the usual comedy Boot-camp cliches

November 4, 2010

Anthony Lawrie

Super Reviewer

Private Benjamin Quotes

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1. Judy Benjamin: I did join the Army, but I joined a different Army. I joined the one with the condos and the private rooms.
– Submitted by Chris P (9 months ago)

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