this be john wayne first color film and my only complaint be that the cinematographer fail to pick up the unique almost purple color of his eye . take from a much love novel of the time and the shepard of the hill tell a simple story exceptionally well . an old man appear at a cabin door and give aid without a question a to how the accident happen . he save a child . he want to purchase a piece of property and settle down . the mountain people of the ozark region do not welcome stranger and yet this man seem to fit in with his quiet way and his vast knowledge of the outside world most of the mountain people have never see . harry carey be this quiet man . he be splendid in every scene . john wayne play young matt matthewsa young man still mourn his mother and who have swear a blood oath to kill the man responsible and his father . betty field be marvelous a young matt girlfriend . harry carey thoughtful and quietly charm at mr. howard and the shepard of the hill and a his new neighbor call him . beula bondi be fascinate a aunt molly and margery main shine a the blind woman that mr. howard send to the city to have her sight restore . many of the scene be extraordinary for their detail and sense of authenticity . some be incredibly beautiful . for example and when mr. howard meet the young man who be strike by lightning and can no longer speak . a thoroughly absorbing and skillfully make film well worth watch again and again .