what scene are you referring to because I don't recall anything like that....
He catches a boy and drags him away. John Wayne and the boys catch up and rescue him, but he was clearly beaten and abused. This was the early seventies. Everything was edgy. As I said, this was the movie in which John Wayne finally died in the end, rescuing the boy if I recall correctly. And it was long hair that did for him. That was a UGE event. Had never happened before.
FUnny you mention Dern playing a good guy. Turns out there are a few. And in one case, Coming Home, he kind of turns into the heavy but with good cause seeking as he comes home to find his wife sleeping with Jon Voight.
Silent Running...
Family Plot