Benji the Hunted

G

Released Jun 4, 1987

1h 28m

Kids & Family

Adventure

List

55%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

61%

Audience Score

10,000+ Ratings

When a shipwreck separates the courageous dog Benji from his trainer (Frank Inn), the crafty canine must brave the dangers of an island wilderness alone. As Benji avoids winding up the meal of bears and wolves, the resourceful mutt comes across four cougar cubs left orphaned by a hunter (Red Steagall) who shot their mother. Unwilling to see the cubs exposed to the perilous environment, Benji puts himself in harm's way to protect the feline infants while searching for a safe haven.

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Ángel Luis Inurria

El Pais (Spain)

Joe Camp knows how to take advantage of the camera. [Full Review in Spanish]

Mar 31, 2020

Full Review

Richard Freedman

Newhouse News Service

It's perfect for snoozing to if Benji's soundless adventures begin to pall, as they may for post-nine-year-olds.

Rated: 2.5/4

Nov 5, 2019

Full Review

Austin Kennedy

Sin Magazine

I liked individual moments and could have been good as a whole if Camp was also concerned with the human cast giving good performances, and if the movie had an appropriate score.

Rated: 2.5/4

May 17, 2012

Full Review

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

Benji shines in another simple but engrossing dog tale.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 14, 2010

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 12, 2005

Full Review

Andy Klein

Los Angeles CityBeat

Rated: 5/5

Sep 2, 2004

Full Review

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Audience Member

It's another dog movie starring a pooch I've never heard of but apparently he's along the famous ranks of Lassie and Shiloh He made his first debut in 1974 then was recently rebooted in 2018 on Netflix so clearly he still is very popular Released 35 years ago and directed by Joe Camp Benji is on a whole new adventure On a fishing trip Benji gets lost at sea while filming a tv production He winds up in the Oregon wilderness and has to learn to survive Not only does he have to avoid predators like mountain lions, bears, wolves, and hawks but he also has to protect a group of cougar kittens Even a hunter who lives in the woods proves to be bothersome Can Benji protect these baby animals by himself or can he find another suitable mother for them? The film kicks off right away with Benji in the woods without showing the catastrophic being thrown overboard bits The authorities are desperately trying to find him too The filmmakers make great effort to shoot the dog's perspective from the ground up seeing from Benji's point of view There's also a lot of scenes where no one is talking but that is credit to the film instead relying on non verbalization to see how expressive Benji is We understand his situation surviving on his own but being a protector to these kittens It's easy to sense the fear, isolation, and confusion And there's no voiceover narration since we the audience can figure out what's going on Some casual viewers might get sick of seeing non stop animal footage from start to finish but the amazing Oregon scenery, innocent family vibe, and a touching furry lead make this outing of Benji a rewarding watch The ending alone is worth it A very simple but engrossing dog tale of heroism, courage, compassion, and determination

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/05/22

Full Review

Audience Member

It's another dog movie starring a pooch I've never heard of but apparently he's along the famous ranks of Lassie and Shiloh He made his first debut in 1974 then was recently rebooted in 2018 on Netflix so clearly he still is very popular Released 35 years ago and directed by Joe Camp Benji is on a whole new adventure On a fishing trip Benji gets lost at sea while filming a tv production He winds up in the Oregon wilderness and has to learn to survive Not only does he have to avoid predators like mountain lions, bears, wolves, and hawks but he also has to protect a group of cougar kittens Even a hunter who lives in the woods proves to be bothersome Can Benji protect these baby animals by himself or can he find another suitable mother for them? The film kicks off right away with Benji in the woods without showing the catastrophic being thrown overboard bits The authorities are desperately trying to find him too The filmmakers make great effort to shoot the dog's perspective from the ground up seeing from Benji's point of view There's also a lot of scenes where no one is talking but that is credit to the film instead relying on non verbalization to see how expressive Benji is We understand his situation surviving on his own but being a protector to these kittens It's easy to sense the fear, isolation, and confusion And there's no voiceover narration since we the audience can figure out what's going on Some casual viewers might get sick of seeing non stop animal footage from start to finish but the amazing Oregon scenery, innocent family vibe, and a touching furry lead make this outing of Benji a rewarding watch The ending alone is worth it A very simple but engrossing dog tale of heroism, courage, compassion, and determination

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

For a movie with very little dialogue, this one does a good job of conveying a story. Benji gets stranded in the woods and adopts four orphaned cougar cubs. This is the only film in the Benji series that was produced by Disney. All the animals in the movie are well trained and used effectively, with the help of the cinematography and score, to show what Benji is thinking and feeling. A good movie, but not something I would watch on repeat. My only real complaint was I felt the score was a little to eighties instead of a timeless one. A movie worth checking out.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

christopher c. m

This was before everything nonhuman was computer generated. So Benji talking was not possible yet, and I except that. But they could have done like an "Oh Heavenly Dog" where a human actor would do his thinking or maybe subtitles. Considering 90 % of the movie is just the animals, it's hard to keep track of what the heck is going on. Which hurts the pacing. It's not bad, the ending is a tad anticlimactic but it's still pretty good.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bem bonitinho, um filme quase que completamente sem falas, a estrela é Benji em meio aos perigos da floresta, mês sempre em busca de ajudar os menos afortunados e filhotes perdidos, coisa mais fofa, delicinha e o reencontro final, emocionante, a trilha, sonoplastia simples e cativante, tudo muito singelo, delicado e puro… Como não amar...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I was forced to take my little brother to see this movie when I was twelve while my mom went to do something. It was SOOO BORING! The only time I have ever left a movie theater several times to go out to the lobby because it was more interesting.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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Joe Camp

Director

Red Steagall

Hunter

Nancy Francis

Mary Beth McLaulin

Mike Francis

TV Cameraman

Frank Inn

Self

Steve Zanolini

Producer

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Synopsis

When a shipwreck separates the courageous dog Benji from his trainer (Frank Inn), the crafty canine must brave the dangers of an island wilderness alone. As Benji avoids winding up the meal of bears and wolves, the resourceful mutt comes across four cougar cubs left orphaned by a hunter (Red Steagall) who shot their mother. Unwilling to see the cubs exposed to the perilous environment, Benji puts himself in harm's way to protect the feline infants while searching for a safe haven.

Director: Joe Camp
Producer: Ed Vanston
Screenwriter: Joe Camp
Production Co: Embark Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 4, 1987, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.0M
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Surround

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