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Parents' Guide to

For the Love of Benji

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Endearing '70s sequel finds the lovable dog in jeopardy.

Movie G 1977 85 minutes
For the Love of Benji Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

Mike P.
Mike P. Parent of 8-year-old
May 4, 2020
age 8+

Cute doggie tale with some peril

Kids will like the cute dog elements of this story, however the plot around the scientists and international spies is confusing and hard to follow. These plot elements will likely go over children's heads. There are several scenes where Benji is shot at. Two people are held at gunpoint, including one child being held with a gun to her head, which may be frightening to young kids. This amount of peril surprised me for what I thought was just a fun movie about a dog.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

What was supposed to be a wonderful family vacation turns into a funny, enchanting, and sometimes scary adventure in FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI. The title dog (played by Benji), an irrepressible hero, gets lost in Athens, Greece, after an airport connection goes awry. And it isn't simply that he's lost. Benji doesn't know it, but he's "carrying" some critical information that has been planted on him by a very suspicious-looking traveler. The majority of the film consists of Benji on his own, roaming the streets and landmarks of Athens, hoping to find his people and forced to outwit the bad guys, who desperately want the information he unwittingly holds. Lengthy, heartwarming, and sometimes suspenseful sequences are intercut with brief scenes of his family and assorted villains on the move. Narrow escapes and close calls are the order of the day.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Irresistible scenes of the smart and sweet pup, shot and edited with panache, make this 1977 sequel a delight, despite the ludicrous plot and nasty scoundrels who threaten with guns. For the Love of Benji would be repetitious -- how many times can one determined dog escape the danger that awaits him at every turn -- if weren't so funny and inventive, and if each obstacle didn't lead Benji to more charming moments in picturesque Athens. Hearts will melt; tears may flow when all's well that ends well.

Director-writer Joe Camp makes the most of Benji's adorableness. Scenes of the pooch making friends with another stray and his bone, scoring sausages from an outdoor food bazaar, and outwitting an international thief should appeal to new fans and gratify their parents -- even grandparents -- who made the movie a hit decades ago. For the Love of Benji actually holds up better than its predecessor, and it isn't necessary to have seen the earlier film. Great for kids who are comfortable with heroes who have to run for their lives (both human and canine).

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how MPAA ratings have changed over the years. For the Love of Benji got a G rating when it was first released in 1977. How do you think it would be rated today? What events or situations would most likely change the designation?

  • What is a musical score? Think about the music in this film, especially in sequences during which Benji is on his own. Do you think Benji's adventure would have been as clear and as meaningful without the musical score to heighten the emotions the filmmakers wanted to evoke?

  • How does Benji, even though he's a dog, demonstrate character strengths such as courage, perseverance, and communication? Why are those important life skills?

Movie Details

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