Willard (1971)
An enjoyable 'of it's time' horror / creature feature with a good central performance by Bruce Davison as the put upon title character, getting a hard time at home and in work from scuzzy boss Ernest Borgnine, who befriends a pack of rats and manages to train them to do his dirty work for him, ie - dispose of his enemies.
There are many good scenes but when the rats aren't up to their tricks it does drag a bit, however, who can't love a film where Borgnine is swarmed over by attacking rats.
Ben (1972)
A decent enough sequel to Willard in which Ben and his fellow rat buddies move in with a sickly (and occasionally annoying) kid (Lee Montgomery).
Although more of the same, the final twenty minutes up the ante with some terrific sewer scenes as the authorities use flame throwers on the now thousands of rats.
For all the schlocky parts of the film it's nearly ruined by that f^cking horrendously maudlin title song.
Neither film is recommended if you have a 'thing' about rats.
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