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The Private War of Major Benson

Play trailer Poster for The Private War of Major Benson 1955 1h 45m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
An outspoken Army major (Charlton Heston) is banished to a slack military school for boys, run by nuns.

Critics Reviews

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Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine 10/21/2019
A coy, moderately amusing comedy about a tough soldier (Charlton Heston) in a school for boys. Tim Hovey, as a six-year-old private, is prominent among the cadets. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 02/27/2007
C
Heston shows a surprising flair for comedy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Russ G Jan 10 You never saw Chuck Heston in a romcom but there's a first time for everything. A decent enough script for the 50's even if the initial romantic moves are a bit crude by today's standards; the plot strains credibility in places but the gags aren't bad. Some good banter such as "That's Father So-and-So; he was canonized in 1854!" Major Benson: "I'm sorry to hear that!" Heston switches from the tough guy persona to the big softie with surprising ease and demonstrates some comedic timing. Child actor Tim Hovey steals every scene he's in and the teen actors are more than competent including a young Sal Mineo whom you'll instantly recognize even without top billing. Honorable mention to the actresses portraying "the ladies." I don't give out high ratings easily but I'll give this four stars for effort, See more Steve D 04/07/2024 Amusing but has been done better. See more 05/13/2014 IT'S A CUTE FILM, EVEN THOUGH IT STARS CHARLESTON HESTON. I ENJOYED IT. SOME GOOD JUVENILE PERFORMANCES. NICELY WRITTEN, NOT GREAT BUT ENTERTAINING. See more 10/21/2013 ★★1/2 (out of four) A mildly amusing and randomly entertaining little film. It's nice to see a picture geared towards family viewing, but that also proves too much a weakness as well. There isn't much real substance to be had at all. Charlton Heston plays Major Bernard Benson. He has just recently mouthed his opinion in a national magazine. He is reassigned to run the ROTC program for youths. If he doesn't turn the young recruits into men, the ROTC is in danger of losing its certification. Benson complicates things when he gets a look at the attractive female doctor on site. The premise and set up is fun. I just wish they were able to do more with it. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v48/Zeppo1/PrivateWarofMajorBenson_zpscf644acc.jpg[/IMG] See more Read all reviews
The Private War of Major Benson

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Movie Info

Synopsis An outspoken Army major (Charlton Heston) is banished to a slack military school for boys, run by nuns.
Director
Jerry Hopper
Producer
Howard Pine
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal/Universal Int
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 2, 1955, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Jul 13, 2015
Runtime
1h 45m