Rating: 
Summary: real far west
Review: Will Penny is a mature cowboy -50 years old as he declares to Joan Hackett should be much for so physical hard work in the late nineteenth century- Furthermore he has passed all his life alone, has learned all in taverns, knows only the fragile friendship of another few cattlemen and only treats with prostitutes when he can.
And from all that comes the heart of this magnificent film. Penny, a brave man, and potentially even a good father, as he teaches well and wins the confidence of the little child, is coward when he has the opportunity to marry with the only woman he has loved in his full life.
Perhaps truly he feels too old and unable to abandon his erratic existence, perhaps is the custom of living alone so long time, he rejects that opportunity. Charlton Heston and all actors are superb here excepting perhaps the excessive fool preacher. A rare, exceptional western and excellent film, impossible to think in the world of special effects of today
Rating: 
Summary: A Penny to keep
Review: Will Penny is a western that was very enjoyable to watch, it has its humor as well as dramatic moments.The story is so-so in originality. Will Penny (Heston) is an old cow hand who knows nothing more but moving herds and working all his life. Once his job is done, he takes up company with two of his friends and ends up making enemies with some rawhiders, led by a well performed character in Preacher Quint (D. Pleasance). I thought this villain was both funny and evil. Meanwhile, Penny stumbles upon a woman (J. Hackett) and son who are on their way to meet her husband in Oregon. Well, I won't tell you everything, but I will say that Penny finds himself in a double quandry: he's falling in love with a married woman and he's being hunted by these rawhiders. Will Penny's character is witty, wise at times, and very human. I think Heston does an outstanding job with this character. Will Penny is believable and he's wholesome, you can't help but feel for him in this film. Joan Hackett's plays a great role with her character, as she comes across as opinionated yet humble, which leads to an attractive and engaging character. Donald Pleasance's character, Quint, is a looney who has the eyes of a wacko, which is why his villain character is great. The best part is when he dances to an Irish gig later in the film. It's rather humorous. These are the good points, but I haven't yet touched on the bad: 1. The story line takes awhile to get going, there's a little too extra time with Penny and his two other cow hands. I'm really not sure if they are characters worth having, the film could've moved along nicely without them. Although Anthony Zerbe's character, Dutchy, is rather entertaining. 2. Quint made such a great villain, more time with him would've been welcomed, or perhaps making him more of a thorn in Penny's side. I guess I like the character so much, I wanted more scenes with him. 3. There needed to be more bonding between Hackett and Heston's characters. They played off each other rather well, too bad there weren't more scenes leading up to the drama/romance between them. 4. The ending. OK, I'm not going to go into it specifically, but I will say I didn't like it. Maybe it was more realistic the way it ended, but come on, it could've been much much better. Overall, Will Penny is a fine western, is it the best? No, not by a long shot. A long beginning and the need for more character conflict is what keeps this movie at four stars. I like it, I think you should see it, maybe even buy it, but don't go thinking it's the best western ever, cuz it ain't. Grade: B
Rating: 
Summary: Director Asleep at the wheel
Review: Will Penny is an illiterate, over-the-hill cowboy coming to terms with his bleak future. After a long trail drive, he goes to work at the Flatiron ranch, in the lonely job of riding line. He finds a women and her son, abandoned by their guide to California, holding up at his shack. His standing orders are to drive off all nesters, but he allows them to stay on two weeks. His kindness is rewarded when he is set upon and left to die by a family of "rawhiders." The lady nurses him back to health. By the time the rawhiders return Penny and the lady are quite close. Nevertheless, Penny realizes he could not adapt to another way of life and rides off into the sunset. As a long-time fan of Westerns and Charleston Heston, I was disappointed by this film. The plodding script calls for a Jimmy Stewart in the lead role. Perhaps Stewart could have brought it alive. Unfortunately, Charleton Heston got the part. He is not convincing as a sad, sensitive-but-strong hero. Joan Hackett is good as the stranded lady. Bruce Dern is good in his too abbreviated role. Donald Pleasance, however, is over the top. Another case of miscasting. The best part of the film is the beautiful Western scenery. But, that cannot make up for a dull, illogical script, bad casting and an annoying music tract. Watching the film, I got the feeling that I was paying more attention to it than had the director and script-writer. How could anyone not notice that after Charlton Heston has his undies stolen by the rawhiders, he is again dressed in his shirt and pants back at the shack? This is only one of the distracting goofs that I tried to ignore in my attempts to like this film.
Rating:
Summary: Not just one of the best westerns, its one of the best films
Review: Will Penny is perhaps the most realistic western ever filled. From the aged clothing and weapons (antiques rented specifically for the film) to non-Hollywood plot devices and ending the film is unsurpassed for realism. I recommend the DVD over the VHS because it contains a short film on that subject (more on the DVD version later). Charlton Heston's performance as ageing cowboy Will Penny is one of cinemas best and at times appears to be the inspiration for Robert Duvall's performance in Lonesome Dove. Familiar western faces in the supporting roles include Joan Hackett and Lee Majors and a who's who of westerns character actors (Ben Johnson, Slim Pickens, Anthony Zerbe, Bruce Dern to name just a few). If there is one flaw it is the inappropriate desert caravan score and jarring closing credits song. Despite this consideration it is a definite must for western fans. One DVD complaint, though the behind-the-scenes short shows clips in widescreen, the so-called "widescreen version" of the film is condensed and clipped. Paramount has a reputation for the worst transfers of any major studio and here is a prime example why that reputation exists. One can forgive the less-than-sharp picture because we have no idea the condition of the print, but if they had a widescreen version to gather long clips why didn't they use it for the film itself. Perhaps they were culled from a promotional short and the entire film no longer exists in its original theatrical format, but why market the DVD as part of their "Widescreen Collection," as it is labeled right there on the top of the front cover, when it was not? Just plain sloppy, and dishonest.
Rating:
Summary: Heaven help us from newbie Western "afficionados!"
Review: Wow, this is truly one of the worst westerns I have ever seen. A "minor classic"? I dont think so. And who cares if Heston "becomes Will Penny"? A solid individual performance but not enough to overcome a weak storyline, and even weaker script. Had the director followed the classic formula and left the ubiquitous Joan Hackett in the background that may have been enough to salvage this turkey. As it is, she occupies way to much of the screen and THAT is a major distraction. But if you like the creeping sentimentality of mush like Rooster Cogburn, the Shoot Out, and that silly out of place "Raindrops" scene in Butch Cassidy then you will probably love this thing. The DVD transfer is nothing spectacular, I'd give the video/audio *** and the soundtrack gets *. What a dud, I think the producers of Walking Tall used this soundtrack as inspiration. You've been warned. Wish I hadnt bought this.
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