Benji is a stray who has nonetheless worked his way into the hearts of a number of the townspeople, who give him food and attention whenever he stops by. His particular favorites are a pair of children who feed and play with him against the wishes of their parents. When the children are kidnapped, however, the parents and the police are at a loss to find them. Only Benji can track them down, but will he be in time? If he can save the day, he may just find the permanent home he's been longing for.
Practical Effects
Benji was a shelter mutt who became a global star
Acting
The dog has more charisma than most Oscar nominees
Director
Joe Camp
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Higgins, the dog who played Benji, was a rescue from Burbank Animal Shelter and had already starred as 'Dog' on Petticoat Junction for six years. He was 14 when he filmed this — a senior citizen playing a scrappy stray.
Joe Camp made this independently after every studio rejected it, then it outgrossed most 1974 studio films and invented the 'dog movie' as we know it. Without Benji, no Marley & Me, no A Dog's Purpose, no emotional devastation by canine.
US
