Shepherd of the Hills (1927)

Synopsis
Previously filmed in 1920, Harold Bell Wright's "backwoods" novel Shepherd of the Hills was remade in 1928. The story is motivated by a drought which threatens the well-being of every resident of an Ozark ranching community. Into this situation steps the Shepherd of the Hills (Alec B. Francis), a charismatic preacher with a checkered past. Somehow the future of the community is in the hands of local hell-raiser Matt (John Boles), who, unbeknownst to himself, is the Shepherd's grandson. The problem: Young Matt is foresworn to kill the man who did wrong to his mother, and this "curse" overrides any inherent goodness in the boy. Shepherd of the Hills was remade in 1941 with John Wayne and Harry Carey, then again in 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide