The film begins with a shot of Shane riding across the countryside on his horse. We then watch a young boy, Joey Starrett, take aim at a deer just before it runs off, startled by Shane's horse. Joey runs to tell his father, Joe Starrett, that a man is coming; Joe responds, "Well, let him come." Shane rides up, and the family stops to watch him. Joe and Shane talk, then Shane talks to Joey about his habit of watching people.

Joe offers Shane some water, but Shane is spooked when he hears Joey cock his gun. Joey's mother, Marian, reprimands Joey for pointing a gun at Shane. Joey explains that he just wanted Shane to see his rifle, and Shane admits that he can "shoot a little." They hear horses galloping in the distance, and Joe suddenly pulls his rifle on Shane because...