The Shepherd of the Hills


1h 50m 1964

Brief Synopsis

Daniel Howitt, a kind and gentle stranger among the mountain folk of the Missouri hills, is befriended by the Matthewses, an Ozark family. Years earlier, his son Howard deserted Old Matt Matthews' daughter, Maggie, who died in childbirth. Daniel now hopes to expiate his son's betrayal. Sammy Lane, a...

Film Details

Also Known As
Thunder Mountain
Release Date
Jan 1964
Premiere Information
Springfield, Missouri, opening: 15 Apr 1964
Production Company
Macco Productions
Distribution Company
Howco International
Country
United States
Location
Branson, Missouri, United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright (New York, 1907).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 50m

Synopsis

Daniel Howitt, a kind and gentle stranger among the mountain folk of the Missouri hills, is befriended by the Matthewses, an Ozark family. Years earlier, his son Howard deserted Old Matt Matthews' daughter, Maggie, who died in childbirth. Daniel now hopes to expiate his son's betrayal. Sammy Lane, a backwoods girl, and Young Matt Matthews are in love, but Sammy is pledged by the code of the hills to marry Ollie Stewart, a country boy turned city sophisticate. At a party celebrating his return, Ollie overhears Wash Gibbs and Jess Lane, members of the Bald Mountain gang, drunkenly brag about robbing the Roark County Bank; in the course of the crime Wash killed a teller. The sheriff, alerted by Ollie, forms a posse and surrounds the gang at their hideout. Although wounded in a shoot-out, Wash escapes and stumbles upon Pete Matthews, Daniel's young runaway grandson. As Wash holds Peter hostage, Howard emerges from the darkness and kills Wash. Fatally wounded during the confrontation, Howard tells Pete to show Daniel the gold he has mined during his years in seclusion. After confessing his son's guilt, Daniel is forgiven by Old Matt. The gold is used to help the drought-stricken community, while Young Matt and Sammy prepare to marry, having learned from Daniel that the only code that binds is love.

Film Details

Also Known As
Thunder Mountain
Release Date
Jan 1964
Premiere Information
Springfield, Missouri, opening: 15 Apr 1964
Production Company
Macco Productions
Distribution Company
Howco International
Country
United States
Location
Branson, Missouri, United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright (New York, 1907).

Technical Specs

Duration
1h 50m

Quotes

Trivia

Notes

Filmed in and around Branson, Missouri. Earlier screen versions of Wright's novel released in 1928 and 1941. Rereleased as Thunder Mountain; running time: 108 min.