Tracker (2002)

88% of critics liked it
(33 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(1,052 ratings)

Experimental director Rolf DeHeer's film The Tracker depicts a controversial moment in the Australian justice system, in doing so taking on a popular topic among Australian filmmakers--the complicated and too often racist relationship between Aboriginals and locals. When an Aboriginal tracker (David… More Experimental director Rolf DeHeer's film The Tracker depicts a controversial moment in the Australian justice system, in doing so taking on a popular topic among Australian filmmakers--the complicated and too often racist relationship between Aboriginals and locals. When an Aboriginal tracker (David Gulpilil) leads the manhunt for a fugitive native, a series of atrocities are performed on the ancient tribe by a sadistic policeman participating in the search party. The line between savage and civilian is blurred beyond recognition when Fanatic (Gary Sweet), the policeman, massacres a large group of peaceful Aboriginals. It eventually becomes clear that the tracker, who purposely keeps the Aboriginal a half-day ahead of the search party, is in control of the operation and has his own mysterious agenda. DeHeer takes a unique approach in the direction of this film; opting to show graphic paintings by artist Peter Coad during violent moments in lieu of filming bloody scenes among the actors. The drama itself is often contradicted by haunting, plaintive songs with lyrics written by DeHeer himself. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Rolf de Heer
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Art House & International, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 12, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Sep 27, 2005
Studio: ArtMattan Productions

Critic Reviews

Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times
A high-minded film that at times verges on didacticism, The Tracker is redeemed by its adherence to a simple yet distinctive approach to storytelling and its uniformly strong acting.
David Stratton, Variety
An imposing film that tackles a serious theme with dignity and even audacity and that features production values of the highest quality.
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle
See the film mainly for the quiet and powerful work of Gulpilil in the title role.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
As the scorned but ever-resourceful guide, Gulpilil has the richest role and makes the most of it.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The Tracker is one of those rare films that deserves to be called haunting.
Richard James Havis, Hollywood Reporter
The Tracker has the punch of a good Western with a clean and direct script plus an adventurous use of songs and folk paintings.
Jules Brenner, Filmcritic.com
strangely awkward in terms of film pacing
Doug Cummings, Filmjourney
[T]he film emphasizes its fable qualities and sets the stage for its moral structure, which hinges on the merging of power and racism and the possibility of resistance.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
[D]rags you across acres of despair, a harsh landscape of the angry, terrified side of human nature...
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Daily News
De Heer doesn't want the violence to distract from the sadness and the substance of the movie's mythic history lesson. It's an inventive idea, one that probably doomed the movie's commercial prospects here in the States.
Ernest Hardy, L.A. Weekly
An engrossing study of race and history in Australia.
Jay Antani, Slant Magazine
The Tracker is the first significant movie to find its way into American theaters in 2005.
Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals
Specially composed songs makes the study of men driven by primitive cruelty and ruthless justice something of a tone poem.
Nick Carter, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Combines a classic movie-Western setting and narrative with a Heart of Darkness-like morality play.
Kent Turner, Film-Forward.com
Interspersed with moments of great suspense, the tragic cat-and-mouse survival adventure overshadows the heavy-handed didacticism.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
Too often, The Tracker explains when it would be better to suggest.
Harry Haun, Film Journal International
An obvious, hot-coal piece of politically correct agitprop.

Read all 17 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Raymond W

Tracker is a haunting, and engrossing film that showcases the beautiful talent of David Gulpilil in the title role, and uses music to help tell the story, but it may prove to be overused by some.
Robert F

Simple story, good cinematography, let down by an overuse of music.

Cast

David Gulpilil
as Tracker
Gary Sweet
as Fanatic
Damon Gameau
as Follower

Grant Page
as Veteran
Noel Wilton
as Fugitive

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started

Tracker (2002)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Raymond W

Robert F

Cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!