Where the Red Fern Grows (1974)

This is a great film about the adventurous story of a young boy and his dream for his own red-bone coonhound hunting dogs. Set in the Ozark Mountains during the Great Depression, Billy Coleman works hard and saves his earnings for two years to achieve his dream of buying two red-bone coonhound pups. He develops a new trust in God as he faces overwhelming challenges in adventure and tragedy roaming the river bottoms of Cherokee country with Old Dan and Little Ann. The story follows the inseparable trio as they romp relentlessly through the Ozarks, trying to tree the elusive ghost raccoon. Their efforts prove victorious as they win the coveted gold cup in the annual coon hunting contest, capture wily ghost coons, and bravely fight a mountain lion. Through these adventures Billy realizes the meaning of true friendship, loyalty, and more.