IMDb RATING
5.3/10
3.6K
YOUR RATING
A lonely boy befriends Ben, the leader of a violent swarm of killer rats.A lonely boy befriends Ben, the leader of a violent swarm of killer rats.A lonely boy befriends Ben, the leader of a violent swarm of killer rats.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
Lee Montgomery
- Danny Garrison
- (as Lee Harcourt Montgomery)
Ric Drasin
- George
- (as Richard Drasin)
Bruce Davison
- Willard Stiles
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Frank Farmer
- Police Officer
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to a September 1972 "Los Angeles Times" news item, the rat portraying Ben won a PATSY Award, which honors animal actors.
- GoofsToward the end of the film when the policemen and the firemen are attacking the rats in the sewers with flamethrowers and the rats are fighting back, it can be seen twice that the scenes of the flamethrower action have been filmed in reverse so that it appears that the rats are advancing - in fact, it can also be seen that the flames are going back into the flamethrowers.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Danny Garrison: [crying as Michael Jackson sings "Ben" in the film's 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 a 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 closing credits roll]
- ConnectionsEdited from Willard (1971)
- SoundtracksBen
Lyrics by Don Black
Music by Walter Scharf
Sung and played on piano and harmonica by Danny Garrison (Lee Montgomery (uncredited))
Sung by Michael Jackson during the film's final scene and its closing credits
© 1972 Motown Record Corp.
Featured review
Ben (1972)
* 1/2 (out of 4)
As the tagline promised, "Where WILLARD ended... BEN begins." This sequel to the 1971 film takes place moments after the original film ended as the police arrive at the home of Willard and realize the damage done by the rats. Before long the rats, being led by Ben, befriend a young boy (Lee Montgomery) but at the same time they're terrorizing the city as the police try to figure out what to do.
BEN is the perfect example of a film making money and a sequel being rushed into production to try and make some more money. Whereas WILLARD was a rather interesting character study, BEN falls into a rather cheap, money-maker that has very little story, although if you're a fan of rats then there are plenty of them here as well as a lot more attacks.
For me personally, BEN was a major disappointment but I guess you had to go into the film somewhat expecting that. After all, WILLARD featured some great performances, an interesting story and it worked on most levels. Sadly what made that film work is pretty much missing here as we're given a rather generic story and it's one that you the viewer really can't connect with. I'm not even sure kids could connect with the young child here or any of his family members.
Director Phil Karlson at least keeps the film moving at a good pace and for the most part the performances are good. There are several more rat attacks here and for the most part they are mildly entertaining but there's no question that the climax lacks any real suspense and it drags on for way too long. By the time the end credits start we finally get to hear Michael Jackson singing his love song.
* 1/2 (out of 4)
As the tagline promised, "Where WILLARD ended... BEN begins." This sequel to the 1971 film takes place moments after the original film ended as the police arrive at the home of Willard and realize the damage done by the rats. Before long the rats, being led by Ben, befriend a young boy (Lee Montgomery) but at the same time they're terrorizing the city as the police try to figure out what to do.
BEN is the perfect example of a film making money and a sequel being rushed into production to try and make some more money. Whereas WILLARD was a rather interesting character study, BEN falls into a rather cheap, money-maker that has very little story, although if you're a fan of rats then there are plenty of them here as well as a lot more attacks.
For me personally, BEN was a major disappointment but I guess you had to go into the film somewhat expecting that. After all, WILLARD featured some great performances, an interesting story and it worked on most levels. Sadly what made that film work is pretty much missing here as we're given a rather generic story and it's one that you the viewer really can't connect with. I'm not even sure kids could connect with the young child here or any of his family members.
Director Phil Karlson at least keeps the film moving at a good pace and for the most part the performances are good. There are several more rat attacks here and for the most part they are mildly entertaining but there's no question that the climax lacks any real suspense and it drags on for way too long. By the time the end credits start we finally get to hear Michael Jackson singing his love song.
- Michael_Elliott
- Jun 13, 2017
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Ben: Canavarlar Yuvası
- Filming locations
- Higgins-Verbeck-Hirsch Mansion - 637 South Lucerne Boulevard, Windsor Square, Los Angeles, California, USA(interiors and exteriors of Willard Stiles' house)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $769,986
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