Three white hunters and an aboriginal tracker are combing Australia for another aboriginal accused of killing a white woman. Mostly on horseback, the nameless white hunters have their tracker walk on foot doing his work. The most aggressive white man is played by Gary Sweet. Sweet's authoritarian is a blinded racist who deems himself and his race superior to the aboriginals and unflinchingly shoots women and children without remorse. His methods infuriate the Tracker David Gulpilil and we can see that the aboriginal will eventually get payback when the time is right. Damon Gameau portrays the green, newly enlisted soldier a bit in over his head, but at least feels somewhat humane to the aboriginal race even stopping Sweet from continuing his slaughter of a family of women and children. Grant Page portrays an older gentleman none too pleased to having been volunteered for this mission of retrieving the supposed aboriginal killer. He clearly makes it known to Sweet how he disapproves of his situation. As they journey onward there will come a point of reckoning as The Tracker, who had been chained by Sweet and led around like a slave often tugging on him like a mutt, will quietly get his revenge. The Tracker is all smiles, but in moments when can see the wheels turning as he keeps the white men distanced from the quarry buying time for him.
I felt this was more a meditation and indictment on racism toward the aboriginal people. Certinly through the artwork present throughout, and sad melody that accompanies the film, we get a feeling of what the harshness must've been like. The always reliable Gulpilil has the ability to prove that less is more through his subtle performance. The harsh environs of Austrailia again is put to good use.
I felt this was more a meditation and indictment on racism toward the aboriginal people. Certinly through the artwork present throughout, and sad melody that accompanies the film, we get a feeling of what the harshness must've been like. The always reliable Gulpilil has the ability to prove that less is more through his subtle performance. The harsh environs of Austrailia again is put to good use.