It was produced by the Shanghai Film Studio and directed by Xie Jin, starring Zhu Shimao.
In autumn of 1980, an elderly Chinese American entrepreneur, Xu Jingyou ( Liu Qiong), returns to China, and finds his son, Xu Lingjun ( Zhu Shimao), a herdsman working in Chilechuan Ranch in northwestern China.
But his fellow ranchers, especially Grandpa and Grandma Dong and Guo Zi, give him the courage and strength to carry on.
He recalls his past at the ranch and his wife's trust in his returning, which consolidates his decision to stay in China.
The Herdsman film won Best Supporting Actor ( Niu Ben) and Best Editing ( Zhou Dingwen) in 1983 at the 3rd Golden Rooster Awards.