The Hunter (2011)

Martin, a mercenary, is sent from Europe by a mysterious biotech company to the Tasmanian wilderness on a hunt for the last Tasmanian tiger.

Director:

Daniel Nettheim

Writers:

Alice Addison (screenplay), Wain Fimeri (original adaptation)

Stars:

Willem Dafoe, Sam Neill, Morgan Davies

4 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview:
Willem Dafoe	...	Martin
Frances O'Connor	...	Lucy
Sam Neill	...	Jack
Morgan Davies	...	Sass (as Morgana Davies)
Finn Woodlock	...	Bike
Jacek Koman	...	Middleman
Callan Mulvey	...	Rival Hunter
John Brumpton	...	Publican
Dan Wyllie	...	Pool Player
Sullivan Stapleton	...	Doug
Jamie Timony	...	Free
Dan Spielman	...	Simon
Maia Thomas	...	Shakti
Marc Watson-Paul	...	Jarrah

Storyline

The independent and lonely hunter Martin David is hired by the powerful biotech company Red Leaf to hunt down the last Tasmanian tiger. Red Leaf is interested in the DNA of the animal and Martin travels to Tasmania alone. He poses as a researcher from a university and lodges in the house of Lucy Armstrong. Martin learns that Lucy's husband has been missing for a long time and he befriends her children, Sass and Bike. When Martin goes to the village, he has a hostile reception from the locals. Along the days, Martin spends his days in the Tasmanian wilderness chasing the Tiger and becomes closer and closer to the Armstrong family. But Red Leaf wants results no matter the costs.

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Plot Keywords:

tasmanian tiger | wilderness | tasmania | mercenary | hunter | 

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Taglines:

Some Mysteries Should Never Be Solved

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

14A

Did You Know?

Trivia

The source novel by Julia Leigh won the French Prix de l'Astrolabe Étonnants Voyageurs as well as a British Betty Trask Award. The book was also a New York Times notable book of its year as well as being short-listed for a number of literary prizes. It has been translated into nine languages and published in all major territories. This film was made 12 years after the movie's source book was first published in 1999.

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Goofs

As Martin is driving towards Jarrah's house there is a GPS located on the dashboard in front of him. When he turns on the road towards the house, the GPS is now located on the left side of the dashboard location were it was before.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Martin David: Who's he?

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Soundtracks

Gloria in Excelsis Deo
from "Gloria in D Major, RV 589"
Written by Antonio Vivaldi

User Reviews

An Intelligent Eco-Thriller with Terrific Performances

Opening (coincidentally) during the San Francisco International Film Festival, "The Hunter" would fit right in among the 175 films being shown there. This Australian film, filmed mostly in Tasmania, stars the great character actor Willem Dafoe (in a rare leading role) as Martin David, the title character. David is engaged by a multinational corporation to track down the last surviving "Tasmanian Tiger" so that they may have exclusive rights to its DNA. David must do this under the noses of environmentalists trying to stop deforestation and the locals whose jobs and livelihoods rely on it.

Masquerading as a scientist doing research, Martin finds himself quartered at the house of a local activist's widow (Frances O'Connor) and her two children (Morgana Davies and Finn Woodlock.) Slowly, he finds himself entwined in their lives and finds a disturbing connection between his current employer and the late activist. Martin's contact in the community (Sam Neill) is wary of their growing relationship and sets things in motion that will have a devastating impact on all involved.

This is a beautiful, exciting film with nuanced performances from all the players. Dafoe's character doesn't say much, but his cragged face is as expressive a tool as his voice. Lengthy scenes are often dialogue-free, letting the surroundings and Martin's actions speak for themselves in a visual language. The juvenile performers are quite good, and Sam Neill is a welcome presence in any film.

Part character study, part eco-thriller, the film does not beat you over the head with its environmental message. It manages to present somewhat of a balanced view of the debate between economy and environment (at least with regards to the problems of the locals. Multinational Corporations are ALWAYS evil.) PETA may take exception to Martin's final actions with regards to his original assignment, but after some thought they might be hard pressed to come up with any better solution. It's the kind of film that leads to great discussion and debate afterwards.

www.worstshowontheweb.com

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 2011 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Le chasseur

Filming Locations:

Central Plateau, Tasmania, Australia

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,032, 8 April 2012

Gross USA:

$176,669

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,680,778

Company Credits

Production Co:

Porchlight Films, Screen Australia, Screen NSW

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1