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Charlton Heston, Joan Hackett, Donald Pleasence, Lee Majors, Bruce Dern ... see more see more... , Ben Johnson , Slim Pickens , Clifton James , Anthony Zerbe , Jon Gries , G.D. Spradlin , Quentin Dean , William Schallert , Lydia Clarke , Robert Luster , Dal Jenkins , Matt Clark , Luke Askew , Anthony Costello , Gene Rutherford , Chanin Hale , Stephen Edwards , Roy Jenson

Rambling along at its own measured pace, Will Penny is a vivid western character study, completely dominated by the rapport between stars (Charlton Heston) and (Joan Hackett). Heston plays Will Penny,... read more read more... an aging and impoverished cowboy. With his cohorts Blue (Lee Majors) and Dutchy (Anthony Zerbe), the trio sets out to find employment before winter sets in. Their job search is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Preacher Quint, a vicious Bible-thumping bandit (Donald Pleasance) and his moronic, sadistic sons. Dutchy gets wounded in the fight and Blue stays with him in a small town nearby to nurse him back to health. Will gets a job on a ranch, and though he is supposed to keep squatters off the land, he can't kick out Catherine (Joan Hackett) and her little son (Jon Gries). She herself is en route to join her husband, an Oregon farmer. Despite her wedding vows, Catherine finds herself drawn to Penny -- who makes no unwarranted move towards the woman, but is equally attracted to her. Then the murderous Quint and his sons reappear to exact their revenge. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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61% liked it

1,469 ratings

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82% liked it

11 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 49 min.

Directed by: Tom Gries

Release Date: April 10, 1968

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DVD Release Date: June 4, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (74)

  • rayman0071
    January 11, 2010
    rayman0071
    WILL PENNY-Released by Paramount Pictures. Running Time: 112 minutes.
    MPAA Rating: "M"-Mature Audiences-Parental Guidance Suggested.(For
    scenes of Western Violence and Strong Language). Released: 1968.

    -One of the best adult Westerns made to date and one of the more mature ... read moreWesterns to come out of the 1960's,comes writer-director Tom Gries(who was most known for his television work for TV shows like The Rat Patrol)casts Charlton Heston(in one of the greatest roles in his career,and also he quoted as one of his favorite films)in the title role of a cowboy who patrols for trespassers and rustlers on a huge ranch,who protects two uninvited visitors,a mother and her son from vicious outlaws in 1880's Montana. Gries' son Jon Gries,aka Jon Francis plays the boy while actress Joan Hackett portrays his mother who protects her son from the vicious outlaws(Donald Pleasence,
    Bruce Dern and Lee Majors). The film was very good in bring a more darker side of ranch life in the Old West. Excellent character study in one of Charlton Heston's best roles.
  • BantamDraper
    June 15, 2010
    BantamDraper
    A really interesting western starring Charlton Heston. This movie stands out as one of the few that Heston did not overact in. The rich supporting cast is good also.

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Critic Reviews

Steve Crum
October 15, 2004
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan

Heston's best work...and not surprisingly his favorite role.

Leonard Klady
July 18, 2003
Leonard Klady, Movie City News

3.5

Dan Lybarger
November 3, 2002
Dan Lybarger, Kansas City Star

Charlton Heston's solid turn in a more life-sized role is the centerpiece of this darkly haunting western.

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

One of the most underrated Westerns ever made. Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Renata Adler
May 9, 2005
Renata Adler, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Don Druker
January 1, 2000
Don Druker, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
August 4, 2005
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily

No review available.

Emanuel Levy
July 4, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

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