Main Cast: John Wayne, Betty Field, Harry Carey, Beulah Bondi, James Barton
Release Year: 1941
Country: US
Run Time: 98 minutes
Plot
Harold Bell Wright's bestselling novel The Shepherd of the Hills had been previously filmed in 1919 and 1928 before Paramount offered the first talkie version in 1941. In one of his least typical roles, John Wayne plays a young Ozark backwoodsman forsworn to kill his father, who years earlier abandoned his mother. Against this personal crisis is played the larger drama of outsiders who threaten to push Wayne's friends and family off their land. Fate plays a hand when a mysterious stranger wanders into the community. Not at all the action picture one would expect from star John Wayne and director Henry Hathaway, Shepherd of the Hills takes its own sweet time, unfolding its story in a leisurely pace befitting its slow-moving characters. The film's rich Technicolor photography adds to the restfully rustic ambience of this unusual entertainment.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Faithful to the spirit (if definitely not the letter) of the novel on which it is based, The Shepherd of the Hills is a gentle, moving and quite inspirational film that will especially be appreciated by those of a spiritual nature. Some modern viewers may approach it cynically and may find it a trifle "homespun" for their tastes; but those who get into the spirit of the piece should be amply rewarded. Stuart Anthony and Grover Jones have crafted a sweet paean to the Golden Rule -- but have not neglected to include depictions of pain, bitterness and consuming hatred. Considering that Shepherd has as its star John Wayne and as its director Henry Hathaway, it's surprising that there is very little in the way of "action" here; plenty happens, but it involves very little of the rough and tumble variety that one associates with Wayne, who gives a lovely performance here that demonstrates some very fine and skillful acting. Even better is Harry Carey as the title character, the real star of the film (in spite of Wayne's billing). Betty Field is a delight, Beulah Bondi is scowlingly scary and Marjorie Main clearly enjoys the chance of a change-of-pace part. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Roland Anderson - Art Director, Hans Dreier - Art Director, Henry Hathaway - Director, Ellsworth Hoagland - Editor, Gerard Carbonara - Composer (Music Score), W. Howard Greene - Cinematographer, Charles B. Lang - Cinematographer, Jack Moss - Producer, Stuart Anthony - Screenwriter, Grover Jones - Screenwriter, Harold Bell Wright - Book Author
