Private Benjamin (1980): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Private Benjamin is a 1980 war comedy directed by Howard Zieff, starring Goldie Hawn, Albert Brooks and Harry Dean Stanton. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $69.8 million worldwide. It was nominated for 3 Oscars. Critics gave it 59 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 49m (109 min)
- Director
- Howard Zieff
- Studio
- Warner Bros.
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Private Benjamin About?
The premise of Private Benjamin without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After a disastrous breakup, a spoiled New York socialite impulsively enlists in the U.S. Army. She finds herself completely unprepared for the challenges of basic training and the demands of military life. Through humor and heart, she learns valuable lessons about self-reliance, friendship, and finding strength she never knew she possessed, all while navigating the absurdities of army culture.
Private Benjamin Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- self discovery
- sexual harassment
- wedding
- widow
- blonde
- prank
- heart attack
- lust
- depression
- wedding night
- father daughter relationship
- mother daughter relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- basic training
- boot camp
- character name in title
- fish out of water
- infidelity
- paratrooper
- surname in title
- sex scene
- dying during sex
- war games
- soldier
- female soldier
- loss of husband
- army life
- army base
- military life
- oral sex in a car
- caught having sex
- talking about sex
- radio call in show
- woman in a shower
- woman punches a man
- army recruiter
- prenuptial agreement
- doctor
- female rear nudity
- attempted rape
- female orgasm
- frenchman abroad
- montage
- campfire
- chauvinist
- maid
- armband
- jewish wedding
- american abroad
- bechdel test passed
- woman in military
Private Benjamin Cast
Goldie Hawn leads the cast, with Albert Brooks and Harry Dean Stanton. Directed by Howard Zieff; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Howard Zieff
Also Starring in Private Benjamin
· 6 moreMore from Howard Zieff
More films directed by Howard Zieff, best-rated first: My Girl, The Dream Team, Unfaithfully Yours and The Main Event.
Private Benjamin Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Private Benjamin 59 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 59 Metascore
User score 6.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 59% User score
See on TMDB
Private Benjamin Plot Summary
What happens in Private Benjamin from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Judy Benjamin, portrayed by the talented Goldie Hawn, is a 28-year-old Jewish woman who has been sheltered by her affluent upbringing and harbors a singular aspiration: to “marry a professional man.” However, fate takes a sharp turn on her wedding night when her husband, Yale Goodman, played by Albert Brooks, tragically passes away during their first intimate moment together. Yale, a lawyer, was preoccupied with handling a divorce case even on such an important evening, setting an ironic tone for Judy’s life ahead.
Full summary
The whole story of Private Benjamin, scene by scene
Private Benjamin Box Office
Private Benjamin grossed $69.8 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$69.8M
- US & Canada
- $69.8M
Private Benjamin Awards & Nominations
Private Benjamin was nominated for 3 Oscars. The 4 nominations come from 2 ceremonies, the most at the Oscars 1981.
4 nominations2 ceremonies
-
Oscars 1981 3 nominations- Nominated Actress in a Leading Role – Goldie Hawn
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Eileen Brennan
- Nominated Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)
-
Golden Globes 1981 1 nomination- Nominated Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (Actress) – Goldie Hawn
Private Benjamin Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Private Benjamin.
How Well Do You Know Private Benjamin?
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 prompts Judy Benjamin to join the U.S. Army?
Cars in Private Benjamin
12 cars on screen, including the 1977 Citroën CX and the 1968 GM PD 4107.
-
1977 Citroën CX Minor role -
1968 GM PD 4107 Minor role -
Jeep M-715 Minor role -
1978 Porsche 911 Turbo 930 Minor role
Private Benjamin Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “Ένα τρελό ζιζάνιο” and “Schütze Benjamin”.
- Also known as
-
- Ένα τρελό ζιζάνιο
- Schütze Benjamin
- Soldato Giulia agli ordini
- Tjejen som gjorde lumpen
- La recluta Benjamin
- Benjamin közlegény
- Рядовой Бенджамин
- Szeregowiec Benjamin
- Μια Ζωντοχήρα στο Στρατό
- Vojín Benjaminová
- טוראית בנימין
- La Bidasse
+9 more Show fewer
- Редник Бенджамин
- 벤자민 일등병
- Tyttö joka kävi intin
- プライベート・ベンジャミン
- A Recruta Benjamin
- Rekrut Benjamin
- 小迷糊当大兵
- Vojačka Benjaminová
- Рядова Бенджамін
Seen Private Benjamin?
Movies Like Private Benjamin
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including She’s in the Army Now, Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous and Buck Privates.
-
She’s in the Army Now 1981 -
Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous 2008 -
Buck Privates 1941 -
See Here, Private Hargrove 1944 -
Buck Privates Come Home 1947 -
Private Buckaroo 1942 -
The Private War of Major Benson 1955 -
Stripes 1981 -
A Private’s Affair 1959 -
Best Defense 1984 -
Private’s Progress 1956 -
General Nuisance 1941
Private Benjamin FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Private Benjamin, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Private Benjamin?
Private Benjamin runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).
When was Private Benjamin released?
Private Benjamin was released on October 10, 1980.
Who directed Private Benjamin?
Private Benjamin was directed by Howard Zieff.
More films by Howard Zieff Who is in the cast of Private Benjamin?
Private Benjamin stars Goldie Hawn, Albert Brooks and Harry Dean Stanton, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Private Benjamin make at the box office?
Private Benjamin grossed $69.8 million worldwide.
How is Private Benjamin rated?
Private Benjamin has 59 on Metacritic and 59% on TMDB.
Was Private Benjamin nominated for any awards?
Private Benjamin received 4 nominations across 2 ceremonies.
Does Private Benjamin have a post-credit scene?
No. Private Benjamin has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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