The Legend of Tom Dooley is a 1959 American Western film directed by Ted Post and starring Michael Landon, Jo Morrow, Jack Hogan, Richard Rust, Dee Pollock and Ken Lynch.

The ballad, as sung by The Kingston Trio, was a big hit in 1958 and is the theme song of the film.

[1] The movie's plot is consistent with the lyrics of the song, but otherwise bears little resemblance to the actual murder case.

Dooley is declared to be a murderer, but he returns to his hometown, hoping to marry his fiancée, Laura Foster (Morrow).

Dooley is locked up in the town jail after a quick trial, in which he is sentenced to be hanged in the morning, but escapes with the help of one of his Confederate Army friends, "Country Boy".