Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- gentle
- warm
- hopeful
- family movie night
- children's viewing
What critics said
Critics and audiences broadly recognize the film's appealing canine hero and family accessibility, though critical reviews found the storytelling modest.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Benji is the central hero whose tracking ability drives the rescue plot.
Benji is a stray welcomed by townspeople and longs for a permanent home.
The kidnapped children create danger and urgency while the G rating keeps the experience suitable for young viewers.
Townspeople feed and care for Benji, while the children's attachment motivates his rescue mission.
Films like Benji, and why
Lassie Come Home
family-friendly animal adventure centered on a clever dog rescuing children
Old Yeller
uplifting children's adventure driven by a loyal canine companion and affectionate human bonds
The Incredible Journey
gentle family entertainment featuring an intelligent dog, danger, and a search for belonging
Movie Details
- Director
- Joe Camp
- Release Date
- 1974-10-17
- Runtime
- 86 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (174)
Cast
- Patsy Garrett
- Allen Fiuzat
- Cynthia Smith
- Peter Breck
- Frances Bavier
- Terry Carter
- Edgar Buchanan
- Tom Lester
- Christopher Connelly
- Deborah Walley
Common questions
- What is Benji about?
- A resourceful stray dog becomes a town's unlikely hero when he must track down two kidnapped children and earn the home he has always wanted.
- What is Benji like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Benji as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Benji violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Benji as mild.
- What did critics think of Benji?
- Critics and audiences broadly recognize the film's appealing canine hero and family accessibility, though critical reviews found the storytelling modest.
- Which films are like Benji?
- Films with a similar feel include Lassie Come Home, Old Yeller, and The Incredible Journey.
- How long is Benji?
- Benji runs 86 minutes.
