Betrayed, rejected, his family slaughtered, a heartbroken mountain man escapes to the Vietnam War. Transformed by the vicious jungle, he returns, swapping moonshine for marijuana, to settle an old score.

SYNOPSIS:

Synopsis follows: this screenplay is adapted from Steve Earle's excellent song of the same name and has not, as yet, been endorsed by Steve. Negotiations remain open.

In the Appalachians, the boy JJ, only son of dirt poor hillbillies, lives with GRANDADDY, Uncle STEVE, MOMMA and little sister CASSIE. They run moonshine into town, whose SHERIFF hates them, accepts their bribes, but sabotages their truck, killing John Snr and Grandaddy. Steve survives. JJ buries the bodies, but not his hate. Family and business survive until, as a young man, mixed race love for KARA forbidden, he runs away to the Army and Vietnam.

Completely at home in the war, JJ takes charge of his naive platoon, and keeps them alive. Recruited as an assassin behind enemy lines, he meets secret agent BILLY. Saving Billy's life in a firefight, they become friends. JJ is rewarded with inclusion into Billy's post Army marijuana scheme. Meanwhile, Cassie struggles to write JJ, telling of their Momma's demise from moonshine, the Sheriff's continued vendetta, and Steve's ultimate incarceration.JJ receives the letters, but never reads them. He brings Billy home, to find his family broken, but at least he can now have Kara. The dope farm plan moves into action, until the Sheriff finds out and contacts the DEA. They despise the Sheriff and, after seeing JJ and Billy's service records, sympathize and leave. Business flourishes. One day, Kara is alone in town. The Sheriff decides to hassle her: more than JJ can stand. He rescues Kara, threatens the Sheriff, retreats to the homestead.

That night, JJ, Billy and Cassie arm themselves. Jungle traps are made and set. JJ and Billy head out to face the lawmen. Morning finds the Sheriff having fallen from a cliff and bled to death. Or did he? JJ is jailed. Cassie visits him to let him know Billy has fled, and she and Kara need him out. He's found not guilty and lives the rest of his days a quiet mountain man.

Billy surfaces in Californian real estate.