Reviews (10)

Superb Family Film!
I loved Benji as a child - I even remember my stuffed Benji doll that I carried around for years! This film is as great now as it was then. I highly recommend this wonderful little movie to everyone everywhere, whether you have children or not!!!

The greatest family movie of all time
I have wanted to review this 1973 family classic for a very long time now, but it has been extraordinarily difficult to review something and someone who was a truly vital part of my childhood. Some of my earliest memories are of this loveable little dog. When the 25th anniversary edition of the film came out in 1998, I finally had the chance to reacquaint myself with my dear old friend, and it was a truly moving experience. All these years later, Benji remains the ultimate family movie experience. It can be quite a sad and touching experience, as well, and my emotional attachment to it has kept me from reviewing it for far too long already. The children (and adults) of every generation need to be acquainted with this film; Benji is the great American dog who has rightly been called America's Most Huggable Hero. I absolutely treasure this film from my childhood, and I want all children to feel the love this movie expresses and epitomizes.

The story of this movie is almost as extraordinary as the film itself. Everybody laughed at Joe Camp when he described the movie he wanted to make. This man who had never even made a movie or worked with animals before was committed to writing, producing, and directing a film told from the viewpoint of a dog. There would be no dubbed voices telling the audience what the dog was thinking; the dog himself would communicate his feelings through his demeanor and facial expressions. Even Frank Inn, Benji's owner, thought the idea was crazy when Camp came to him looking for a dog who could act. It just so happened, though, that Camp spotted Benji and immediately knew he had found his star. Benji was already an older dog who had retired from a distinguished seven-year career on the television show Petticoat Junction. Frank Inn, the man who had rescued Benji from the pound many years earlier, didn't know it, but Benji's greatest performance was yet to come.

In a way, the story of the movie is rather simple. Benji is a stray who is loved by folks all over the neighborhood, yet the place he calls home is a lonely, abandoned house. Every day, he follows the same routine: he first heads to the Chapman house to be fed and loved by young Cindy and Paul (whose father will not allow them to keep a stray dog), then he is off to chase a neighboring cat (whose owner is played by Frances "Aunt Bee" Bavier), wake up old Bill (Petticoat Junction buddy Edgar Buchanan) at the café, entertain a police officer, and rummage for food in the park. One special day, Benji meets a cute little white dog in the park, and the two of them become inseparable. Then disaster strikes; Benji's home is invaded by strangers who kidnap Cindy and Paul and hold them hostage there. Benji goes all over town trying to tell his human friends where the children are, but no one will listen to him. If he is to save the children he loves as well as his new friend Tiffany, he is going to have to come up with a way to make the humans understand him.

The last twenty minutes of this film are among the most powerful cinematic moments I have ever witnessed. Benji turns in one of the greatest performances of all time. Laugh if you will, but I consider Benji's performance one of the ten greatest performances of all time - that includes human as well as animal actors. Two scenes in particular reveal the depth of Benji's acting skills. I cannot describe what happens here without giving away important plot details, but it sends tears pouring down my cheeks no matter how many times I watch it. You can literally read Benji's thought process and intense emotions on his face. While it may not be manly to admit, I actually sob during these climactic scenes. To be honest, I cry many times throughout this movie. I am one of those people who love animals more than people, really, and I can't stand to see an animal sad or hurt. Benji's loneliness at the beginning of the movie touches me deeply, and his joyful relationship with his new little friend Tiffany moves me beyond words. The later scenes, though, include one traumatic moment that almost breaks my heart when it happens.

Obviously, I could sing praises to Benji all day. This is one of the greatest movies of all time; there really is no other movie like it. Joe Camp succeeded fabulously in telling this story from Benji's point of view. Even the most minor human characters express feelings that go far beyond mere words, and the music, while certainly evocative of the early 1970s era, complements and intensifies every scene perfectly. (The theme song I Feel the Love, sung by Charlie Rich, won a Golden Globe award and was nominated for an Academy Award.) In closing, I must mention the fact that Benji was as much a hero in real life as he was in this feature film. This vintage American "mutt" whom Frank Inn rescued from an animal shelter as a puppy really left an impressive mark on this world. He and owner Frank Inn literally toured the world, bringing joy to untold numbers of children. More importantly, he indirectly saved the lives of thousands of dogs waiting and hoping to be adopted from animal shelters. I love Benji as if he were my very own dog; he was a ray of sunlight in my childhood and he remains a true hero to me still. I dearly hope that today's children can get to know and love this dog and this movie as much as I do.

Great movie but very hard to find!
I think Benji is a great film. I use to watch it a lot when I was lil but the state where I live doesn't even have Benji available anywhere. I wonder why it doesn't. Probably because some people got tired of watching Benji or it's not in stock at all anymore. It also doesn't even come on TV that much as it use to. I remember when it use to come on The Disney Channel a bunch and I just kept on watching it and watching it. I never got tried of it. I also like the latest recent movie Benji the Hunted that was great too not as good as Benji though but it's still enjoyable to watch.

A classical family movie
After such a long time looking for this DVD, I finally got one. I immediately watched the movie and really enjoyed it. The quality of picture and sound are great, although there is no extra.
This year will be the 30th anniversary of its release. I think there should be 30th Anniversary Edition DVD with addition of extras as well as the release of other Benji's movies on DVD.
I hope that there will be (big) film studio such Disney does this job. And importantly, I look forward to the release of Benji's new adventure this summer!!!

A Classic Film for All Ages
"Benji" is a kid's film which achieves the status of true drama, due to the remarkable acting ability of Higgins in the title role. A schnauzer-cocker-poodle cross, Higgins was found in a shelter and trained by Frank Inn. Before playing "Benji," he guest-starred on tv's "Lassie", "Beverly Hillbillies", and "Green Acres;" had a regular role in "Petticoat Junction" as "Dog;" and carried the title role in the film "Mooch Goes to Hollywood" (1971). "Benji" was true screen triumph for Higgins, worthy of an Oscar. Kudos to his co-star Tiffany, as well, for her engaging personality. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good but not as good as the first one!
I rented this thinking it might be good as the first one and it's ok but the first one I really like the most. This one is about he takes a trip to Athens, Greece. He enjoys the trip but he gets lost and tries to find his family. The Greece theme is really annoying but it mostly has the the same score from the first one. The first Benji I think is great out of all three the other two is not as good but Benji is still a classic!

Benji secures his fame as the world's most huggable hero
For the Love of Benji takes the world's most huggable hero all the way to Greece, but this wonderful Greek vacation becomes a nightmare for Benji even before he is loaded on the plane. A bad guy drugs him and tattoos something on his paw, and when he finally get to Greece alongside his girlfriend Tiffany, he finds himself camping out in a storage area for misplaced baggage. He manages to get out of his crate and escape, only to find himself lost and all alone in a strange new city - hungry, tired, and frightened, missing Tiffany and Paul and Cindy Chapman. The bulk of this film follows Benji in his seemingly impossible search to find his family. He searches in vain, becoming more and more depressed, but he does manage to make one new friend. Still, he has to guiltily steal food in order to live, and if all that isn't bad enough, several strangers including that bad man who drugged him back in the airport are doing all they can to nab him. Benji has risked everything to save his friends in the past, but now he has to use all of his intelligence and leg power just to keep himself alive while he strives valiantly to find and be reunited with his family. There's an underlying storyline, of course, of the bad guys and their evil plot, but what really matters here is Benji. The film builds up to a thrilling conclusion that almost equals the emotional power of the original Benji movie.

Some people may not know that the Benji of For the Love of Benji is not the same talented actor who starred in the original Benji movie. Higgins, the original Benji, was fairly old when he made Benji a household name in 1973, and the role of Benji for this second movie was played by Higgins' daughter (who was actually named Benji). Yes, this Benji is played by a female, but it does not matter. What is obvious is that acting ability courses powerfully throughout the Benji bloodline, as this Benji gives a simply amazing performance, in some respects bettering that of her dad in the original. There is much more action in this film, much of it taking place on the busy city streets of Athens; this little dog really has to run his legs off in this movie as well as navigate many obstacles and perform a number of actions that only Benji could do. He also faces a menacing, large, unfriendly canine enemy and has to avoid a number of gunshots. Most importantly, he has to show a wide range of emotions, as well, and this dog is truly an incredible actor. When he is supposed to be frightened, he really and truly looks frightened; the guilt he feels over having to steal food is obvious; the forlorn look on his face as he searches in vain for his loved ones looks heartbreakingly real; and when he is supposed to stop and think about his next move, you can almost literally see the wheels of his mind turning inside his head. Even the smallest and shortest of expressions - perking up at a certain sound, reacting to a smell, breaking out in excitement when he thinks he sees one of his family members - are performed with a level of skill few human actors could ever hope to rival.

I think the original Benji film will always be my favorite, but For the Love of Benji is not far behind. Children will probably enjoy this film more than the original because of all the action scenes it showcases. This Benji, just like her father Higgins, is among the most talented actors to ever grace the big screen, and I can't imagine my childhood (and don't plan on living my adulthood) without the presence of this greatest dog of them all.

Another Great Movie!
In the sequel to "Benji", kidnappers target someone else - Benji! As Benji tries furiously to get back to his family, and escape from his kidnappers, there some really great scenes. My personal favorite is where Benji grabbs a string of hot dogs and takes off down the street! This isn't as good as Benji, but it is worth watching anyway.

Love for Benji
The film FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI should be added to all family video collections. It picks up where the previous movie leaves off. The family goes on vacation and brings their beloved mutt Benji with them to a foreign land. Benji once again faces adversaries but manages to make new friends along the way. This movie is about a dog with a heart of gold. If you enjoyed the movie BABE, you will surely enjoy watching Benji's adventure unfold in this film. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Superb Family Film!
I loved Benji as a child - I even remember my stuffed Benji doll that I carried around for years! This film is as great now as it was then. I highly recommend this wonderful little movie to everyone everywhere, whether you have children or not!!!

The greatest family movie of all time
I have wanted to review this 1973 family classic for a very long time now, but it has been extraordinarily difficult to review something and someone who was a truly vital part of my childhood. Some of my earliest memories are of this loveable little dog. When the 25th anniversary edition of the film came out in 1998, I finally had the chance to reacquaint myself with my dear old friend, and it was a truly moving experience. All these years later, Benji remains the ultimate family movie experience. It can be quite a sad and touching experience, as well, and my emotional attachment to it has kept me from reviewing it for far too long already. The children (and adults) of every generation need to be acquainted with this film; Benji is the great American dog who has rightly been called America's Most Huggable Hero. I absolutely treasure this film from my childhood, and I want all children to feel the love this movie expresses and epitomizes.

The story of this movie is almost as extraordinary as the film itself. Everybody laughed at Joe Camp when he described the movie he wanted to make. This man who had never even made a movie or worked with animals before was committed to writing, producing, and directing a film told from the viewpoint of a dog. There would be no dubbed voices telling the audience what the dog was thinking; the dog himself would communicate his feelings through his demeanor and facial expressions. Even Frank Inn, Benji's owner, thought the idea was crazy when Camp came to him looking for a dog who could act. It just so happened, though, that Camp spotted Benji and immediately knew he had found his star. Benji was already an older dog who had retired from a distinguished seven-year career on the television show Petticoat Junction. Frank Inn, the man who had rescued Benji from the pound many years earlier, didn't know it, but Benji's greatest performance was yet to come.

In a way, the story of the movie is rather simple. Benji is a stray who is loved by folks all over the neighborhood, yet the place he calls home is a lonely, abandoned house. Every day, he follows the same routine: he first heads to the Chapman house to be fed and loved by young Cindy and Paul (whose father will not allow them to keep a stray dog), then he is off to chase a neighboring cat (whose owner is played by Frances "Aunt Bee" Bavier), wake up old Bill (Petticoat Junction buddy Edgar Buchanan) at the café, entertain a police officer, and rummage for food in the park. One special day, Benji meets a cute little white dog in the park, and the two of them become inseparable. Then disaster strikes; Benji's home is invaded by strangers who kidnap Cindy and Paul and hold them hostage there. Benji goes all over town trying to tell his human friends where the children are, but no one will listen to him. If he is to save the children he loves as well as his new friend Tiffany, he is going to have to come up with a way to make the humans understand him.

The last twenty minutes of this film are among the most powerful cinematic moments I have ever witnessed. Benji turns in one of the greatest performances of all time. Laugh if you will, but I consider Benji's performance one of the ten greatest performances of all time - that includes human as well as animal actors. Two scenes in particular reveal the depth of Benji's acting skills. I cannot describe what happens here without giving away important plot details, but it sends tears pouring down my cheeks no matter how many times I watch it. You can literally read Benji's thought process and intense emotions on his face. While it may not be manly to admit, I actually sob during these climactic scenes. To be honest, I cry many times throughout this movie. I am one of those people who love animals more than people, really, and I can't stand to see an animal sad or hurt. Benji's loneliness at the beginning of the movie touches me deeply, and his joyful relationship with his new little friend Tiffany moves me beyond words. The later scenes, though, include one traumatic moment that almost breaks my heart when it happens.

Obviously, I could sing praises to Benji all day. This is one of the greatest movies of all time; there really is no other movie like it. Joe Camp succeeded fabulously in telling this story from Benji's point of view. Even the most minor human characters express feelings that go far beyond mere words, and the music, while certainly evocative of the early 1970s era, complements and intensifies every scene perfectly. (The theme song I Feel the Love, sung by Charlie Rich, won a Golden Globe award and was nominated for an Academy Award.) In closing, I must mention the fact that Benji was as much a hero in real life as he was in this feature film. This vintage American "mutt" whom Frank Inn rescued from an animal shelter as a puppy really left an impressive mark on this world. He and owner Frank Inn literally toured the world, bringing joy to untold numbers of children. More importantly, he indirectly saved the lives of thousands of dogs waiting and hoping to be adopted from animal shelters. I love Benji as if he were my very own dog; he was a ray of sunlight in my childhood and he remains a true hero to me still. I dearly hope that today's children can get to know and love this dog and this movie as much as I do.

Great movie but very hard to find!
I think Benji is a great film. I use to watch it a lot when I was lil but the state where I live doesn't even have Benji available anywhere. I wonder why it doesn't. Probably because some people got tired of watching Benji or it's not in stock at all anymore. It also doesn't even come on TV that much as it use to. I remember when it use to come on The Disney Channel a bunch and I just kept on watching it and watching it. I never got tried of it. I also like the latest recent movie Benji the Hunted that was great too not as good as Benji though but it's still enjoyable to watch.

A classical family movie
After such a long time looking for this DVD, I finally got one. I immediately watched the movie and really enjoyed it. The quality of picture and sound are great, although there is no extra.
This year will be the 30th anniversary of its release. I think there should be 30th Anniversary Edition DVD with addition of extras as well as the release of other Benji's movies on DVD.
I hope that there will be (big) film studio such Disney does this job. And importantly, I look forward to the release of Benji's new adventure this summer!!!

A Classic Film for All Ages
"Benji" is a kid's film which achieves the status of true drama, due to the remarkable acting ability of Higgins in the title role. A schnauzer-cocker-poodle cross, Higgins was found in a shelter and trained by Frank Inn. Before playing "Benji," he guest-starred on tv's "Lassie", "Beverly Hillbillies", and "Green Acres;" had a regular role in "Petticoat Junction" as "Dog;" and carried the title role in the film "Mooch Goes to Hollywood" (1971). "Benji" was true screen triumph for Higgins, worthy of an Oscar. Kudos to his co-star Tiffany, as well, for her engaging personality. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good but not as good as the first one!
I rented this thinking it might be good as the first one and it's ok but the first one I really like the most. This one is about he takes a trip to Athens, Greece. He enjoys the trip but he gets lost and tries to find his family. The Greece theme is really annoying but it mostly has the the same score from the first one. The first Benji I think is great out of all three the other two is not as good but Benji is still a classic!

Benji secures his fame as the world's most huggable hero
For the Love of Benji takes the world's most huggable hero all the way to Greece, but this wonderful Greek vacation becomes a nightmare for Benji even before he is loaded on the plane. A bad guy drugs him and tattoos something on his paw, and when he finally get to Greece alongside his girlfriend Tiffany, he finds himself camping out in a storage area for misplaced baggage. He manages to get out of his crate and escape, only to find himself lost and all alone in a strange new city - hungry, tired, and frightened, missing Tiffany and Paul and Cindy Chapman. The bulk of this film follows Benji in his seemingly impossible search to find his family. He searches in vain, becoming more and more depressed, but he does manage to make one new friend. Still, he has to guiltily steal food in order to live, and if all that isn't bad enough, several strangers including that bad man who drugged him back in the airport are doing all they can to nab him. Benji has risked everything to save his friends in the past, but now he has to use all of his intelligence and leg power just to keep himself alive while he strives valiantly to find and be reunited with his family. There's an underlying storyline, of course, of the bad guys and their evil plot, but what really matters here is Benji. The film builds up to a thrilling conclusion that almost equals the emotional power of the original Benji movie.

Some people may not know that the Benji of For the Love of Benji is not the same talented actor who starred in the original Benji movie. Higgins, the original Benji, was fairly old when he made Benji a household name in 1973, and the role of Benji for this second movie was played by Higgins' daughter (who was actually named Benji). Yes, this Benji is played by a female, but it does not matter. What is obvious is that acting ability courses powerfully throughout the Benji bloodline, as this Benji gives a simply amazing performance, in some respects bettering that of her dad in the original. There is much more action in this film, much of it taking place on the busy city streets of Athens; this little dog really has to run his legs off in this movie as well as navigate many obstacles and perform a number of actions that only Benji could do. He also faces a menacing, large, unfriendly canine enemy and has to avoid a number of gunshots. Most importantly, he has to show a wide range of emotions, as well, and this dog is truly an incredible actor. When he is supposed to be frightened, he really and truly looks frightened; the guilt he feels over having to steal food is obvious; the forlorn look on his face as he searches in vain for his loved ones looks heartbreakingly real; and when he is supposed to stop and think about his next move, you can almost literally see the wheels of his mind turning inside his head. Even the smallest and shortest of expressions - perking up at a certain sound, reacting to a smell, breaking out in excitement when he thinks he sees one of his family members - are performed with a level of skill few human actors could ever hope to rival.

I think the original Benji film will always be my favorite, but For the Love of Benji is not far behind. Children will probably enjoy this film more than the original because of all the action scenes it showcases. This Benji, just like her father Higgins, is among the most talented actors to ever grace the big screen, and I can't imagine my childhood (and don't plan on living my adulthood) without the presence of this greatest dog of them all.

Another Great Movie!
In the sequel to "Benji", kidnappers target someone else - Benji! As Benji tries furiously to get back to his family, and escape from his kidnappers, there some really great scenes. My personal favorite is where Benji grabbs a string of hot dogs and takes off down the street! This isn't as good as Benji, but it is worth watching anyway.

Love for Benji
The film FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI should be added to all family video collections. It picks up where the previous movie leaves off. The family goes on vacation and brings their beloved mutt Benji with them to a foreign land. Benji once again faces adversaries but manages to make new friends along the way. This movie is about a dog with a heart of gold. If you enjoyed the movie BABE, you will surely enjoy watching Benji's adventure unfold in this film. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Its all about the Great Ron Moody
Really, this Christmas special has an odd feel to it because Benji is ostensibly the star, but mostly gets carried around. The plot is goofy, and sets are low rent, and acting is wooden. But the whole caper is just an excuse for the brilliant Ron Moody to do his schtick. For those who loved Ron Moody as Fagan in Oliver (which is practically anyone who has seen it), he is in peak form. The climax of the piece is Ron Moody as Santa Claus doing an elaborate musical number, which oddly has the Klezmer/jewish sound of songs like "I think I'd Better think it Out Again" from Oliver.

Its a tour de force performance from him. The directors clearly knew what they were doing and just let him steal the show. It makes you wish there was more output from him on film and video. It lifts the whole project up and for that reason gets four stars from me. The flashes of brilliance from Moody make this a real Christmas treat that can be enjoyed more than once.

Go Benji!
Benji is the sweetest dog in the whole world! How can anyone say 'no' to Benji! Kids will LOVE Benji! ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Superb Family Film!
I loved Benji as a child - I even remember my stuffed Benji doll that I carried around for years! This film is as great now as it was then. I highly recommend this wonderful little movie to everyone everywhere, whether you have children or not!!!

The greatest family movie of all time
I have wanted to review this 1973 family classic for a very long time now, but it has been extraordinarily difficult to review something and someone who was a truly vital part of my childhood. Some of my earliest memories are of this loveable little dog. When the 25th anniversary edition of the film came out in 1998, I finally had the chance to reacquaint myself with my dear old friend, and it was a truly moving experience. All these years later, Benji remains the ultimate family movie experience. It can be quite a sad and touching experience, as well, and my emotional attachment to it has kept me from reviewing it for far too long already. The children (and adults) of every generation need to be acquainted with this film; Benji is the great American dog who has rightly been called America's Most Huggable Hero. I absolutely treasure this film from my childhood, and I want all children to feel the love this movie expresses and epitomizes.

The story of this movie is almost as extraordinary as the film itself. Everybody laughed at Joe Camp when he described the movie he wanted to make. This man who had never even made a movie or worked with animals before was committed to writing, producing, and directing a film told from the viewpoint of a dog. There would be no dubbed voices telling the audience what the dog was thinking; the dog himself would communicate his feelings through his demeanor and facial expressions. Even Frank Inn, Benji's owner, thought the idea was crazy when Camp came to him looking for a dog who could act. It just so happened, though, that Camp spotted Benji and immediately knew he had found his star. Benji was already an older dog who had retired from a distinguished seven-year career on the television show Petticoat Junction. Frank Inn, the man who had rescued Benji from the pound many years earlier, didn't know it, but Benji's greatest performance was yet to come.

In a way, the story of the movie is rather simple. Benji is a stray who is loved by folks all over the neighborhood, yet the place he calls home is a lonely, abandoned house. Every day, he follows the same routine: he first heads to the Chapman house to be fed and loved by young Cindy and Paul (whose father will not allow them to keep a stray dog), then he is off to chase a neighboring cat (whose owner is played by Frances "Aunt Bee" Bavier), wake up old Bill (Petticoat Junction buddy Edgar Buchanan) at the café, entertain a police officer, and rummage for food in the park. One special day, Benji meets a cute little white dog in the park, and the two of them become inseparable. Then disaster strikes; Benji's home is invaded by strangers who kidnap Cindy and Paul and hold them hostage there. Benji goes all over town trying to tell his human friends where the children are, but no one will listen to him. If he is to save the children he loves as well as his new friend Tiffany, he is going to have to come up with a way to make the humans understand him.

The last twenty minutes of this film are among the most powerful cinematic moments I have ever witnessed. Benji turns in one of the greatest performances of all time. Laugh if you will, but I consider Benji's performance one of the ten greatest performances of all time - that includes human as well as animal actors. Two scenes in particular reveal the depth of Benji's acting skills. I cannot describe what happens here without giving away important plot details, but it sends tears pouring down my cheeks no matter how many times I watch it. You can literally read Benji's thought process and intense emotions on his face. While it may not be manly to admit, I actually sob during these climactic scenes. To be honest, I cry many times throughout this movie. I am one of those people who love animals more than people, really, and I can't stand to see an animal sad or hurt. Benji's loneliness at the beginning of the movie touches me deeply, and his joyful relationship with his new little friend Tiffany moves me beyond words. The later scenes, though, include one traumatic moment that almost breaks my heart when it happens.

Obviously, I could sing praises to Benji all day. This is one of the greatest movies of all time; there really is no other movie like it. Joe Camp succeeded fabulously in telling this story from Benji's point of view. Even the most minor human characters express feelings that go far beyond mere words, and the music, while certainly evocative of the early 1970s era, complements and intensifies every scene perfectly. (The theme song I Feel the Love, sung by Charlie Rich, won a Golden Globe award and was nominated for an Academy Award.) In closing, I must mention the fact that Benji was as much a hero in real life as he was in this feature film. This vintage American "mutt" whom Frank Inn rescued from an animal shelter as a puppy really left an impressive mark on this world. He and owner Frank Inn literally toured the world, bringing joy to untold numbers of children. More importantly, he indirectly saved the lives of thousands of dogs waiting and hoping to be adopted from animal shelters. I love Benji as if he were my very own dog; he was a ray of sunlight in my childhood and he remains a true hero to me still. I dearly hope that today's children can get to know and love this dog and this movie as much as I do.

Great movie but very hard to find!
I think Benji is a great film. I use to watch it a lot when I was lil but the state where I live doesn't even have Benji available anywhere. I wonder why it doesn't. Probably because some people got tired of watching Benji or it's not in stock at all anymore. It also doesn't even come on TV that much as it use to. I remember when it use to come on The Disney Channel a bunch and I just kept on watching it and watching it. I never got tried of it. I also like the latest recent movie Benji the Hunted that was great too not as good as Benji though but it's still enjoyable to watch.

A classical family movie
After such a long time looking for this DVD, I finally got one. I immediately watched the movie and really enjoyed it. The quality of picture and sound are great, although there is no extra.
This year will be the 30th anniversary of its release. I think there should be 30th Anniversary Edition DVD with addition of extras as well as the release of other Benji's movies on DVD.
I hope that there will be (big) film studio such Disney does this job. And importantly, I look forward to the release of Benji's new adventure this summer!!!

A Classic Film for All Ages
"Benji" is a kid's film which achieves the status of true drama, due to the remarkable acting ability of Higgins in the title role. A schnauzer-cocker-poodle cross, Higgins was found in a shelter and trained by Frank Inn. Before playing "Benji," he guest-starred on tv's "Lassie", "Beverly Hillbillies", and "Green Acres;" had a regular role in "Petticoat Junction" as "Dog;" and carried the title role in the film "Mooch Goes to Hollywood" (1971). "Benji" was true screen triumph for Higgins, worthy of an Oscar. Kudos to his co-star Tiffany, as well, for her engaging personality. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good but not as good as the first one!
I rented this thinking it might be good as the first one and it's ok but the first one I really like the most. This one is about he takes a trip to Athens, Greece. He enjoys the trip but he gets lost and tries to find his family. The Greece theme is really annoying but it mostly has the the same score from the first one. The first Benji I think is great out of all three the other two is not as good but Benji is still a classic!

Benji secures his fame as the world's most huggable hero
For the Love of Benji takes the world's most huggable hero all the way to Greece, but this wonderful Greek vacation becomes a nightmare for Benji even before he is loaded on the plane. A bad guy drugs him and tattoos something on his paw, and when he finally get to Greece alongside his girlfriend Tiffany, he finds himself camping out in a storage area for misplaced baggage. He manages to get out of his crate and escape, only to find himself lost and all alone in a strange new city - hungry, tired, and frightened, missing Tiffany and Paul and Cindy Chapman. The bulk of this film follows Benji in his seemingly impossible search to find his family. He searches in vain, becoming more and more depressed, but he does manage to make one new friend. Still, he has to guiltily steal food in order to live, and if all that isn't bad enough, several strangers including that bad man who drugged him back in the airport are doing all they can to nab him. Benji has risked everything to save his friends in the past, but now he has to use all of his intelligence and leg power just to keep himself alive while he strives valiantly to find and be reunited with his family. There's an underlying storyline, of course, of the bad guys and their evil plot, but what really matters here is Benji. The film builds up to a thrilling conclusion that almost equals the emotional power of the original Benji movie.

Some people may not know that the Benji of For the Love of Benji is not the same talented actor who starred in the original Benji movie. Higgins, the original Benji, was fairly old when he made Benji a household name in 1973, and the role of Benji for this second movie was played by Higgins' daughter (who was actually named Benji). Yes, this Benji is played by a female, but it does not matter. What is obvious is that acting ability courses powerfully throughout the Benji bloodline, as this Benji gives a simply amazing performance, in some respects bettering that of her dad in the original. There is much more action in this film, much of it taking place on the busy city streets of Athens; this little dog really has to run his legs off in this movie as well as navigate many obstacles and perform a number of actions that only Benji could do. He also faces a menacing, large, unfriendly canine enemy and has to avoid a number of gunshots. Most importantly, he has to show a wide range of emotions, as well, and this dog is truly an incredible actor. When he is supposed to be frightened, he really and truly looks frightened; the guilt he feels over having to steal food is obvious; the forlorn look on his face as he searches in vain for his loved ones looks heartbreakingly real; and when he is supposed to stop and think about his next move, you can almost literally see the wheels of his mind turning inside his head. Even the smallest and shortest of expressions - perking up at a certain sound, reacting to a smell, breaking out in excitement when he thinks he sees one of his family members - are performed with a level of skill few human actors could ever hope to rival.

I think the original Benji film will always be my favorite, but For the Love of Benji is not far behind. Children will probably enjoy this film more than the original because of all the action scenes it showcases. This Benji, just like her father Higgins, is among the most talented actors to ever grace the big screen, and I can't imagine my childhood (and don't plan on living my adulthood) without the presence of this greatest dog of them all.

Another Great Movie!
In the sequel to "Benji", kidnappers target someone else - Benji! As Benji tries furiously to get back to his family, and escape from his kidnappers, there some really great scenes. My personal favorite is where Benji grabbs a string of hot dogs and takes off down the street! This isn't as good as Benji, but it is worth watching anyway.

Love for Benji
The film FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI should be added to all family video collections. It picks up where the previous movie leaves off. The family goes on vacation and brings their beloved mutt Benji with them to a foreign land. Benji once again faces adversaries but manages to make new friends along the way. This movie is about a dog with a heart of gold. If you enjoyed the movie BABE, you will surely enjoy watching Benji's adventure unfold in this film. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good but not as good as the first one!
I rented this thinking it might be good as the first one and it's ok but the first one I really like the most. This one is about he takes a trip to Athens, Greece. He enjoys the trip but he gets lost and tries to find his family. The Greece theme is really annoying but it mostly has the the same score from the first one. The first Benji I think is great out of all three the other two is not as good but Benji is still a classic!

Benji secures his fame as the world's most huggable hero
For the Love of Benji takes the world's most huggable hero all the way to Greece, but this wonderful Greek vacation becomes a nightmare for Benji even before he is loaded on the plane. A bad guy drugs him and tattoos something on his paw, and when he finally get to Greece alongside his girlfriend Tiffany, he finds himself camping out in a storage area for misplaced baggage. He manages to get out of his crate and escape, only to find himself lost and all alone in a strange new city - hungry, tired, and frightened, missing Tiffany and Paul and Cindy Chapman. The bulk of this film follows Benji in his seemingly impossible search to find his family. He searches in vain, becoming more and more depressed, but he does manage to make one new friend. Still, he has to guiltily steal food in order to live, and if all that isn't bad enough, several strangers including that bad man who drugged him back in the airport are doing all they can to nab him. Benji has risked everything to save his friends in the past, but now he has to use all of his intelligence and leg power just to keep himself alive while he strives valiantly to find and be reunited with his family. There's an underlying storyline, of course, of the bad guys and their evil plot, but what really matters here is Benji. The film builds up to a thrilling conclusion that almost equals the emotional power of the original Benji movie.

Some people may not know that the Benji of For the Love of Benji is not the same talented actor who starred in the original Benji movie. Higgins, the original Benji, was fairly old when he made Benji a household name in 1973, and the role of Benji for this second movie was played by Higgins' daughter (who was actually named Benji). Yes, this Benji is played by a female, but it does not matter. What is obvious is that acting ability courses powerfully throughout the Benji bloodline, as this Benji gives a simply amazing performance, in some respects bettering that of her dad in the original. There is much more action in this film, much of it taking place on the busy city streets of Athens; this little dog really has to run his legs off in this movie as well as navigate many obstacles and perform a number of actions that only Benji could do. He also faces a menacing, large, unfriendly canine enemy and has to avoid a number of gunshots. Most importantly, he has to show a wide range of emotions, as well, and this dog is truly an incredible actor. When he is supposed to be frightened, he really and truly looks frightened; the guilt he feels over having to steal food is obvious; the forlorn look on his face as he searches in vain for his loved ones looks heartbreakingly real; and when he is supposed to stop and think about his next move, you can almost literally see the wheels of his mind turning inside his head. Even the smallest and shortest of expressions - perking up at a certain sound, reacting to a smell, breaking out in excitement when he thinks he sees one of his family members - are performed with a level of skill few human actors could ever hope to rival.

I think the original Benji film will always be my favorite, but For the Love of Benji is not far behind. Children will probably enjoy this film more than the original because of all the action scenes it showcases. This Benji, just like her father Higgins, is among the most talented actors to ever grace the big screen, and I can't imagine my childhood (and don't plan on living my adulthood) without the presence of this greatest dog of them all.

Another Great Movie!
In the sequel to "Benji", kidnappers target someone else - Benji! As Benji tries furiously to get back to his family, and escape from his kidnappers, there some really great scenes. My personal favorite is where Benji grabbs a string of hot dogs and takes off down the street! This isn't as good as Benji, but it is worth watching anyway.

Love for Benji
The film FOR THE LOVE OF BENJI should be added to all family video collections. It picks up where the previous movie leaves off. The family goes on vacation and brings their beloved mutt Benji with them to a foreign land. Benji once again faces adversaries but manages to make new friends along the way. This movie is about a dog with a heart of gold. If you enjoyed the movie BABE, you will surely enjoy watching Benji's adventure unfold in this film. ... Read more