The Private War of Major Benson_
"One of Life's Happiest Experiences is MARCHING YOUR WAY!"
A Major noted for advancing with his mouth before thinking is given a choice: to be drummed out of the Army, or take command of and shape up the ROTC program at Sheridan Academy before it fails its next inspection. At Sheridan he encounters three hundred pre-teen cadets who range from rascally to adorable, and a female doctor who has just the right prescription for him.
Starring
Charlton Heston, Julie Adams, William Demarest
Updated Feb 16, 2026
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Cast
Charlton Heston →
Charlton Heston stars as Maj. Bernard R. 'Barney' Benson in The Private War of Major Benson.
Charlton Heston →
Year context
The Private War of Major Benson was released 71 years ago in 1955.
Overview
A Major noted for advancing with his mouth before thinking is given a choice: to be drummed out of the Army, or take command of and shape up the ROTC program...
The Private War of Major Benson is a Comedy, Family, Romance film with a runtime of 1h 45m.
CAST (18)
Charlton Heston
Maj. Bernard R. 'Barney' Benson
Julie Adams
Dr. Kay Lambert
William Demarest
John
Tim Hovey
Cadet Thomas 'Tiger' Flaherty
Nana Bryant
Mother Redempta
Tim Considine
Cadet Lt. Gerald Hibler
Sal Mineo
Cadet Col. Sylvester Dusik
Milburn Stone
Maj. Gen. Wilton J. Ramsey
Mary Field
Sister Mary Theresa
Joey D. Vieira
Cadet Cpl. Scawalski (as Donald Keeler)
GP
Gary Pagett
Cadet Lt. Molony
Don Haggerty
Harold Hibler
David Janssen
Young Lieutenant
Richard H. Cutting
Monsignor Collins
Sue George
Nancy (uncredited)
SB
Steven Benson
Cadet
MB
Madge Blake
Woman at Airport
AC
Alfred Caiazza
Cadet Lt Morelli (uncredited)
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is The Private War of Major Benson about?
A Major noted for advancing with his mouth before thinking is given a choice: to be drummed out of the Army, or take command of and shape up the ROTC program at Sheridan Academy before it fails its next inspection. At Sheridan he encounters three hundred pre-teen cadets who range from rascally to adorable, and a female doctor who has just the right prescription for him.
How long is The Private War of Major Benson?
The Private War of Major Benson has a runtime of 105 minutes (1h 45m).
Who stars in The Private War of Major Benson?
The cast of The Private War of Major Benson includes Charlton Heston, Julie Adams, William Demarest, Tim Hovey, Nana Bryant.
What is the rating of The Private War of Major Benson?
The Private War of Major Benson has a rating of 6.6 out of 10 based on 14 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (3)
Comedy
Family
Romance