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, 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, All Movie Guide