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Poster of Private Benjamin

Private Benjamin (1980)

“The Army was no laughing matter until Judy Benjamin joined it.”

  • R
  • 110 min
  • Comedy
  • imdb logo 6.2/10 (28565 votes)

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Plot

In the heart of Philadelphia thrives Judy Benjamin, a 28-year-old traditional Jewish princess who has mastered only one art in life: being a wife to a professional man, a role that promises her a comfortable existence, attended to by maids and a doting husband. To Judy, the idea of love plays second fiddle to the allure of a secure, pampered life, a perception shared by those who know her. When she marries Yale Goodman, a lawyer, it seems like her dreams have been realized. However, this bubble of bliss bursts abruptly when Yale succumbs to a heart attack on their wedding night. Suddenly bereft of the life she knows, Judy finds herself adrift. Enter Sgt. Jim Ballard, an army recruiter who paints a picture of the army as an exclusive country club. Intrigued, Judy signs up, only to quickly discover that the army is far from the utopian retreat Ballard depicted. Judy is woefully unprepared for the grueling six-week basic training, a difficulty compounded by the animosity she faces from her fellow recruits. However, the harshest adversary she faces is the vindictive Captain Doreen Lewis, her squad leader determined to make her life a living hell. Despite the hardships, Judy begins to discover new skills and potentials within herself that she never knew existed. As she navigates her new life, Judy crosses paths with the charming French doctor, Henri Trémont. This encounter stirs her heart in a way she has never experienced before, leading her to consider a future with him. But will Judy's newfound independence and resilience see her through the trials of army life, the shadows of her past, and the enticing possibility of love with Henri? In the world of Private Benjamin, the battle for self-discovery is just as compelling as the one on the battlefield.

Where to watch Private Benjamin?

Private Benjamin is a comedy movie featuring Goldie Hawn.

Private Benjamin is currently streaming on DIRECTV.

It is also possible to buy Private Benjamin on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.