Ben (1972): Cast & Plot
Ben is a 1972 horror thriller directed by Phil Karlson, starring Hunter von Leer as Police officer with camera (uncredited), Joseph Campanella and Lee Montgomery. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Phil Karlson
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Bing Crosby Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Ben About?
The premise of Ben without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After the events of “WILLARD”, the tale follows Ben, a rat who befriends a lonely boy. Their bond is tested when Ben is revealed as the leader of a brutal pack of killer rats that stalk the town, leaving a trail of victims. The boy must confront the horror and choose where his allegiance lies.
Ben Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- boy wears pajamas
- electric train
- exploitation film
- loneliness
- suspense
- police lieutenant
- brother sister relationship
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- boy
- bullying
- animal character name as title
- psychotronic film
+38 more Show fewer
- puppet
- literature on screen
- european literature on screen
- british literature on screen
- irish literature on screen
- horror literature on screen
- title different than book
- rat puppet
- name in title
- male name in title
- name as title
- male name as title
- character name as title
- mouse puppet
- mouse
- killer mouse
- killer rat
- rat attack
- talking to a rat
- talking to a mouse
- talking to an animal
- animal puppet
- marionette
- pesticide
- poison
- rat bite
- bitten by a rat
- police car
- policeman
- little boy
- mother son relationship
- dead rat
- dead mouse
- eaten by a rat
- investigator
- investigation
- police investigator
- police investigation
Ben Cast & Characters
Hunter von Leer leads the cast as Police officer with camera (uncredited), with Joseph Campanella as Cliff Kirtland and Lee Montgomery as Danny. Directed by Phil Karlson; 23 actors are credited in all.
- Director Phil Karlson
- Hunter von Leer as Police officer with camera (uncredited)
- Joseph Campanella as Cliff Kirtland
-
Lee Montgomery as Danny -
Meredith Baxter as Eve Garrison
Also Starring in Ben
· 19 more- Rosemary Murphy Beth Garrison
- Arthur O'Connell Bill Hatfield
- Kenner G. Kemp Onlooker (uncredited)
- Leoda Richards Onlooker (uncredited)
- Kenneth Tobey Engineer
- Bob Harks Observer on Sidewalk (uncredited)
- Tom Steele Fireman Covered with Rats (uncredited)
- Norman Alden Policeman
- Paul Carr Kelly
- James Luisi Ed
- Kaz Garas Joe Greer
- Ric Drasin George
- Lee Paul Careu
- Frank Farmer Police Officer (uncredited)
- John Rayner Hydrex Pest Controller (uncredited)
- Arlen Stuart Mrs. Gray
Show all 23 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Richard Van Vleet Reade
- Bern Hoffman Truck Driver (uncredited)
- Scott Garrett Henry Gray
More from Phil Karlson
More films directed by Phil Karlson, best-rated first: Walking Tall, Framed, Hornets’ Nest and The Wrecking Crew.
Ben Plot Summary
What happens in Ben from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The movie opens with a recap of the ending of the first film, where Willard Stiles is killed by his rats after he tries to kill them and Ben. Police arrive at the Stiles house; two officers stay behind, and one is attacked and killed by the rats while the other finds Willard’s body. Detective Clift Kirtland, Joseph Campanella, orders an exterminator to wipe out the rat population, but Ben overhears the plan and warns the rest of the colony. With a quiet, stubborn resolve, Ben and the other rats slip away into the sewer, seeking safety beneath the city.
Full summary
The whole story of Ben, scene by scene
Ben Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Ben.
How Well Do You Know Ben?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the boy who befriends the rat leader Ben?
Cars in Ben
27 cars on screen, including the 1971 Plymouth Satellite and the American LaFrance Century Series.
-
1971 Plymouth Satellite Important role -
American LaFrance Century Series Minor role -
American LaFrance Pioneer Minor role -
Chevrolet Suburban Minor role
Ben Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Ben, o Rato Assassino” and “大危机”.
- Also known as
-
- Ben, o Rato Assassino
- 大危机
- 贝恩
- L'ultima carica di Ben
- La Rata Asesina
- O Rato Assassino
- 벤
- Ben, la rata asesina
- Бен
- 鼠王
- ベン
- Råttorna slår till igen
Seen Ben?
Movies Like Ben
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Willard, Willard and Bad Ben 9: Benign.
Ben FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Ben, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Ben?
Ben runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Ben released?
Ben was released on June 23, 1972.
Who directed Ben?
Ben was directed by Phil Karlson.
More films by Phil Karlson Who is in the cast of Ben?
Ben stars Hunter von Leer as Police officer with camera (uncredited), Joseph Campanella as Cliff Kirtland and Lee Montgomery as Danny, among 23 credited actors.
Does Ben have a post-credit scene?
No. Ben has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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