The Shepherd of the Hills

1941

The Shepherd of the Hills

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58%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 113

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The Shepherd of the Hills Photos

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Movie Info

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..

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Action & Adventure, Classics, Drama, Western
Directed By:

Henry Hathaway
Written By:

Grover Jones, Stuart Anthony
In Theaters:

Jul 18, 1941 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Feb 17, 1998
Runtime:

98 minutes
Studio:

Paramount Pictures

Cast

John Wayne
as Young Matt

Betty Field
as Sammy Lane

Beulah Bondi
as Aunt Mollie

Harry Carey
as Daniel Howitt

James Barton
as Old Matt Matthews

Samuel S. Hinds
as Andy Beeler

Marjorie Main
as Granny Becky

Ward Bond
as Wash Gibbs

Marc Lawrence
as Pete Matthews

John Qualen
as Coot Royal

Fuzzy Knight
as Mr. Palestrom

Tom Fadden
as Jim Lane

Olin Howland
as Corky

Dorothy Adams
as Elvy Royal

Vivita Campbell
as Baby Royal

Fern Emmett
as Mrs. Palestrom

John Harmon
as Charlie

Selmer Jackson
as Doctor

Charles B. Middleton
as Blacksmith

Bob Kortman
as Hand

Hank Bell
as Man with Mustache

William Haade
as Bald Knobber

Selmar Jackson
as Doctor

Henry Brandon
as Bald Knobber

Jim Corey
as Bald Knobber

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Critic Reviews for The Shepherd of the Hills

All Critics (3)

The Shepherd of the Hills doesn't always work. But when it does, it's as pretty a bluegrass poem as has ever been written.

Dec 28, 2018 | Rating: 5/10 | Full Review…

Nathanael Hood
The Retro Set
One of John Wayne's better films before he became a star due to Henry Hathaway's solid direction, Duke's own acting, and strong supporting cast.

Dec 28, 2007 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
Well-acted, especially by Wayne.

Sep 9, 2005 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (3)

Audience Reviews for The Shepherd of the Hills

Apr 25, 2014

The Duke is a bit more introverted in this than was usual, delivering a quiet strong piece of work. Solid supporting work from the rest of the cast and beautiful Technicolor photography.

jay n Super Reviewer