Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Adorable stray dog in '70s classic; some peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Benji
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Parents say the movie is not suitable for children, with several reviews highlighting its intense and disturbing themes, particularly scenes involving kidnapping and violence that upset young viewers. While some adults believe it carries valuable life lessons, many express regret for exposing their kids to its frightening moments, deeming it inappropriate for family viewing.
- intense themes
- not suitable for young
- upsetting violence
- parental regret
- mixed feelings
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 3 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Told largely from the dog's point of view, BENJI is the story of a stray dog. Benji is a rascal, but he's also smart, lovable, and very adventurous. He cavorts through his small town on a wonderful daily routine. He has longstanding relationships with two kids, a local policeman, a cafe owner, and a prissy white cat. And each night, Benji makes his way back to the giant abandoned house that he calls home. The two kids, Paul (Allen Fluzat) and Cindy (Cynthia Smith), would love nothing more than to adopt him. Unfortunately, though their housekeeper/nanny (Patsy Garrett) is a fan, they simply can't convince their dad (Peter Breck) to let them. The trouble starts in Benji's "home," just after he's met Tiffany, the pooch of his dreams, another adorable stray. An assortment of criminals has staked out the house to use as their headquarters for an unholy escapade in which they'll endanger the two people Benji loves most. Those villains, however, never thought they'd have to contend with Benji, superhero extraordinaire, who eventually calls upon his skills, his resourcefulness, and even some of his town buddies to save everyone's day.
Is It Any Good?
Sequence after sequence of Benji on his own -- romping, prancing, and acting very much like a dog with a plan through small-town streets and sumptuous woodlands -- is simply delightful. Director Joe Camp, who generated a franchise with this family film in 1974, makes the most of the captivating dog, his natural habitat, and small-town America. But even Camp couldn't just put up 86 minutes of dog home-movie. He had to provide a story as well. That story is a by-the-numbers kidnapping affair, with bickering villains who imperil both kids and beloved pups. There's a happy ending, of course, but caution: A boy afraid, a little girl crying, and a doggie mistreated may be unsettling for little kids or very sensitive ones.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about when it's appropriate to question the rules their parents set, as Paul and Cindy did. If Benji wasn't such a remarkable dog, would it have been OK to keep him?
What do you need to know before you adopt a pet? Why is it important to be aware of what owning a pet means before taking on such a wonderful responsibility?
In 1974, this movie was got a G rating. Now, after we know more about the effects of violence on kids, it would probably be rated PG. Which scenes or themes do you think might merit a PG rating?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 25, 1974
- On DVD or streaming : February 6, 2018
- Cast : Allen Fiuzat , Cynthia Smith , Patsy Garrett
- Director : Joe Camp
- Studio : GoodTimes Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate