Watch The Tracker

The Tracker is a 2002 Australian movie directed by Rolf de Heer and starring David Gulpilil, Gary Sweet, and Damon Gameau. This powerful drama is set in the outback of Australia in 1922, and it tells the story of a group of white lawmen who are on a mission to capture an Aboriginal man accused of murdering a white woman. The Tracker is a visually stunning movie with breathtaking landscapes that highlight the beauty of the Australian outback. The movie follows a group of four men: an experienced tracker named The Tracker (David Gulpilil), a police officer named The Fanatic (Gary Sweet), a calm and laid-back officer named The Veteran (Damon Gameau), and a new recruit named The Follower (Grant Page). The four men are tasked with tracking down an Aboriginal man named Sam Kelly (Noel Wilton), who is accused of murdering a white woman.

The Tracker is the driving force behind the group, using his knowledge of the land and his tracking skills to lead the group through the harsh terrain. The Fanatic is convinced that Sam Kelly is guilty and wants nothing more than to see him punished, going so far as to use abusive tactics to try and get information out of the Aboriginal people they meet along the way. The Veteran is more level-headed and tries to keep the peace between the Fanatic and the Tracker, while the Follower is a young and inexperienced member of the group who is just trying to keep up.

The journey is long and arduous, and tensions are high among the group as tempers flare and suspicions grow. Along the way, they encounter a variety of colorful characters, including an Aboriginal family who takes them in for the night, and a group of men who are searching for a lost herd of cattle.

The Tracker is a movie that explores the complex and often fraught relationship between white Australians and Aboriginal Australians. The characterization is well-done, with each member of the group representing a different viewpoint. The Tracker is the voice of the Aboriginal people, and his calm and measured approach is in contrast to the Fanatic's aggressive and abusive tactics. The Veteran represents the more moderate viewpoints, while the Follower is simply trying to do his job and survive the journey.

The themes of racism and colonialism are explored in depth throughout the movie, and it is clear that the director is not afraid to grapple with these difficult issues. The Tracker is not an easy movie to watch, as it is gritty and realistic in its portrayal of the harsh conditions of life in the outback at this time. However, it is an incredibly powerful movie that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it.

One of the standout aspects of The Tracker is the incredible performance by David Gulpilil, who plays the titular role. Gulpilil is known for his work as an actor and a dancer, and his portrayal of The Tracker is both nuanced and incredibly moving. He perfectly captures the character's quiet strength and his deep connection to the land, making him the heart and soul of the movie.

Despite being released almost 20 years ago, The Tracker remains a relevant and thought-provoking movie that is worth watching for anyone interested in Australian history, the treatment of Aboriginal people, or powerful drama in general. With its stunning visuals, incredible performances, and themes that are still relevant today, it is a true masterpiece of Australian cinema.

The Tracker is a 2002 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 71.