Ben (1972)

Ben: Directed by Phil Karlson. With Lee Montgomery, Joseph Campanella, Arthur O’Connell, Rosemary Murphy. A lonely boy befriends Ben, the leader of a violent pack of killer rats.

“Michael Jacksonu0026#39;s title theme is a moving ode and that it applies to a deadly pet rat makes for an odd, if memorable association in this sequel to the hugely successful u0026quot;Willardu0026quot; the year before. Youth Lee H.Montgomery is the new u0026quot;Willardu0026quot;, essentially imprisoned in his parentu0026#39;s home by a rare medical condition, finding a quirky friendship in a stray rat (Ben) who is capable of marshaling the local rat population into war against mankind.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eJoseph Campanella is the no-nonsense police detective, while Meredith Baxter (pre David Birney) plays Leeu0026#39;s older sister. There are a number of familiar faces in the supporting cast (e.g. Paul Carr, Kaz Garas, Ken Tobey etc) and the filmu0026#39;s rousing conclusion in the cityu0026#39;s sewers with the main antagonist cornered, is a tense climax.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe hyperbole written about this film relegating it to turkey status is unwarranted; while not as textured as its predecessor, itu0026#39;s much like the AIP genre films of the early-to-mid seventies in atmosphere and personnel and should entertain accordingly.”