Private Benjamin

1980, Comedy, 1h 49m

34 Reviews 25,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Private Benjamin proves a potent showcase for its Oscar-nominated star, with Hawn making the most of a story that rests almost completely on her daffily irresistible charm. Read critic reviews

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Private Benjamin Photos

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Movie Info

A Jewish-American princess, Judy Benjamin (Goldie Hawn), is devastated when her husband (Albert Brooks) drops dead on their wedding night. While she grieves a duplicitous recruiter for the Women's Army Corps convinces her to enlist. Judy thinks her enlistment is like a vacation but Captain Lewis (Eileen Brennan) quickly dashes her hopes of an easy time. As Judy goes through basic training like any other grunt, she becomes a good soldier and develops a sense of self-esteem.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Howard Zieff
  • Producer:
    Nancy Meyers, Charles Shyer, Harvey Miller
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast & Crew

Goldie Hawn
Pvt. Judy Benjamin
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
Gretchen Wyler
Aunt Kissy
Sally Kirkland
Helga
Maxine Stuart
Aunt Betty
Howard Zieff
Director
Nancy Meyers
Producer
Charles Shyer
Producer
Harvey Miller
Producer
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Private Benjamin

All Critics (34) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (6)
Full Review… Gary Arnold Washington Post Full Review… William Thomas Empire Magazine Full Review… Variety Staff Variety Full Review… Derek Adams Time Out Full Review… Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Full Review… Vincent Canby New York Times Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Full Review… Jesús Fernández Santos El Pais (Spain) Full Review… Sue Heal Radio Times Full Review… Renee Schonfeld Common Sense Media Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com
View All Critic Reviews (34)

Audience Reviews for Private Benjamin

  • May 18, 2017
    One half of this situation comedy has a one joke premise that wears thin fast, that of a poor little rich girl forced to live out of her ivory tower. Ho-hum. The other half is essentially that all men are jerks and thus unreliable. Lesser Goldie Hawn. Pass.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Feb 11, 2014
    When this film came out, it was a novelty to see a woman in military uniform. Now it just seems like a sad reflection of the times. Goldie is good but the rest is not.
    John B Super Reviewer
  • Aug 07, 2013
    Thinking that it's a vacation spot, Jewish American Princess joins the Army. Goldie Hawn, whose work never impressed me before, gives an excellent performance, mostly in her silence. Her cold, hurt stare at her father when her parents come to pick her up from boot camp, her dead-pan sex scene - she's great in the in-between moments. The film's femme-power message is good, but most of the story belies believability. Even the dumbest person wouldn't believe the myths about vacation condos in the Army, Private Benjamin's defeat of the opposing squad, the lecherous superior officer, her time in Paris, even the cliche of girls sitting around talking about how they lost their virginity - it's all too trite and too convenient and bespeaks heavy-handed writing. This story doesn't unfold; it jumps. Overall, Hawn's work is remarkable, but the film's flimsy plot leaves much to be desired.
    Jim H Super Reviewer
  • May 23, 2013
    Goldie Hawn -- I remember when she was cute. Sadly, cute grimaces don't make up for talent.
    Christian C Super Reviewer
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