Uncle Ben (1978): cast, story & where to watch
1978 · Film · ★ 8.5
Released in 1978, Uncle Ben is a drama and family film directed by David Kent Jacobs, running about 27 minutes.
What it’s about. Nancy is about to receive her college degree and she has a special request for Dr. McFarland about the commencement proceedings, where parents are always given special honor. She starts to reminisce about what has led to her successful graduation, and that of her two brothers Jim and Tommy before her, despite having lost both parents long ago. After being widowed when Nancy is only two years old, her mother Laura works hard night and day to support her young family. Their only relative is Laura's brother, and Uncle Ben is a favorite of the children with his story-telling ability and easy charm. However, his own life is dominated by alcoholism, and he finds it difficult to hold a job and be a responsible member of the community. When Laura suddenly passes away, the children beg Uncle Ben to take care of them. He wishes to do so, and fights to gain custody of his young niece and nephews, but his addiction is standing in the way of his fulfilling the role of a parent.
Who’s in it. Uncle Ben stars Keith M. Ungar as Uncle Ben, Sharon W. Allred as Laura, Rachel Jacobs as Young Nancy and Jeanette Mortensen as Nancy.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.5/10, Uncle Ben sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Uncle Ben page.
If you liked it. Fans of Uncle Ben tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Uncle Ben (1978)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Uncle Ben change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Uncle Ben worth watching?
- Uncle Ben holds an audience score of 8.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and family. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Uncle Ben?
- Uncle Ben stars Keith M. Ungar, Sharon W. Allred, Rachel Jacobs and Jeanette Mortensen.
- When was Uncle Ben released?
- Uncle Ben was released in 1978, with a runtime of about 27 minutes.