Will Penny (1968) KL Studio Classics Blu-ray Review

Charlton Heston starred in many classic films during his career in many different genres including, drama, scifi, horror, adventure and biblical. Some of my favorite Heston films include; Planet of the Apes, The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, The Omega Man, Soylent Green.

Now the western genre his films don't get as much recognition as his other films, and that is a shame. In my opinion his best western was 1968's Will Penny! I am excited to say that the good folks at KL Studio Classics are releasing Will Penny on Blu-ray featuring a brand new 4k scan.

Will Penny is an aging cowboy on a hard-luck streak. He’s out of work, out of money, and staked out to die in the desert by a gang of ruthless outlaws. Moments before death, Will is taken in by the beautiful Catherine (Joan Hackett, Support Your Local Sheriff), who is heading west with her young son to join her husband. As Catherine nurses Will back to health, he catches a glimpse of a lifestyle he’s never known. Suddenly, Will has two more problems to deal with: he’s in love with another man’s wife, and the outlaw gang is on its way back to finish him off.

Will Penny is an emotional film speaking to the very soul of mankind. The film was written and directed by Tom Gries (100 Rifles, Breakout, Breakheart Pass), with expert cinematography by Lucien Ballard (The Wild Bunch).

Heston is tremendous as Will Penny with an amazing cast including Joan Hackett, Donald Pleasence (Halloween), Bruce Dern (Silent Runnings), Ben Johnson (She wore a yellow ribbon), Slim Pickens (Blazing Saddles), Clifton James (The Man with the Golden Gun), Anthony Zerbe (The Young Riders), Jon Gries (Napolean Dynamite) and Lee Majors (The Six Million Dollar Man).

Will Penny is transferred Blu-ray in 1080p in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The audio is a DTS-HD 2.0. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. Now the best part of this transfer is that it come from a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative.

Will Penny looks and sounds amazing in this new transfer for the 4K scan. The colors are vibrant the flesh tones are perfect. The picture is crisp and sharp a a tack with no damage that I could see to the print and the audio is clean with no signs of hiss or pops. This is a tremendous looking print!

Now as awesome looking as this film is on Blu-ray, Kino Lorber didn't stop there! They added some cool bonus features that will have fans of this western drooling. Look at what is include on this Blu-ray.

• NEW Audio Commentary by Author/Screenwriter C. Courtney Joyner, Film Historian Henry Parke and WILL PENNY Script Supervisor Michael Preece

• Remembering WILL PENNY: Featurette with Charlton Heston and Jon Gries (13:20)

• The Cowboys of WILL PENNY: Featurette with Charlton Heston and Jon Gries (3:26)

• Theatrical Trailer

Will Penny is a tremendous Western and even more just a good film itself! No wonder Charlton Heston considered it his favorite screen role. But Kino Lorber went beyond just a gorgeous 4K scan Blu-ray. The addition of the above mentioned bonus features takes a good release and makes it great!

If you love a good western Will Penny is one film you need for your collection. And this new Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber is the best way to own it! Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.

Out of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) the Blu-ray of Will Penny receives....