Tracker Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A grumpy ex-Boer war guy gets hired to track a Maori dude in beautiful New Zealand, only to find out they have more in common than hating the British, leading to a game of ‘who can lose a finger most dramatically?’.

🍿 Tracker: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Arrival in New Zealand

In 1903, following the end of the Boer War, Afrikaner veteran Arjan van Diemen arrives in New Zealand. Having lost his family and farm to the British, he seeks a new life but carries deep resentment towards his former adversaries. His reputation as a formidable tracker precedes him, drawing the attention of the British military present in the colony.

A Man Accused

Simultaneously, a Maori man named Kereama is falsely accused of murdering a British soldier. The incident occurs after a confrontation with drunken soldiers. Despite his innocence, Kereama is forced to flee into the rugged New Zealand wilderness, becoming the target of a manhunt by the British authorities.

The Hunt Begins

Major Pritchard Carlysle, a British officer aware of van Diemen’s tracking skills, enlists him to join the search party. Offered a substantial reward for Kereama’s capture (dead or alive), van Diemen agrees, seeing an opportunity for financial security in his new land. The chase leads van Diemen deep into the stunning, but challenging, landscapes of New Zealand.

Hunter and Hunted Connect

As van Diemen relentlessly pursues Kereama, a complex dynamic develops between the two men. Through capture and escape cycles, they begin to understand each other’s histories, motivations, and shared experiences of loss and mistreatment at the hands of the British Empire. This mutual understanding challenges van Diemen’s initial objective.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Arjan van Diemen (Ray Winstone): A skilled Boer War veteran tracker haunted by loss, reluctantly hired by the British to pursue a Maori fugitive in New Zealand.
• Kereama (Temuera Morrison): An innocent Maori man wrongly accused of murder, who uses his knowledge of the land to evade the British search party.
• Maj. Pritchard Carlysle (Gareth Reeves): The pragmatic British Major who hires the veteran Boer tracker to capture the accused Maori man.
• Saunders (Mark Mitchinson): A prejudiced British Sergeant who falsely accuses the Maori man of murder and is driven by animosity.
• Bryce (Andy Anderson): A local tracker assisting the British search party in their pursuit, whose skills are surpassed by van Diemen.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Arjan van Diemen: “I came to find out why New Zealanders crossed two oceans to help the British burn down my farm.” – Explaining his presence in New Zealand to a customs official, revealing his deep-seated grievance against the British.
• Kereama: “To know your enemy, you have to know his God.” – Recounting wisdom from his grandfather after surprising Van Diemen by knowing a biblical passage.
• Arjan van Diemen: “It was a sin to kill and this stopped good men from sinning.” – Explaining the brutal practice of cutting off captured officers’ trigger fingers during the Boer War as a twisted form of mercy.
• Kereama: “Shoot me… so I don’t die like my grandfather.” – Asking Van Diemen for a quick death when they are cornered by the British posse, fearing capture and dishonor.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,500,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $54,437

💥 Tracker Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘Tracker’ expecting a straightforward chase movie, but it ended up being more of a character study wrapped in stunning landscapes. I gotta say, the New Zealand scenery is absolutely incredible – like, distractingly beautiful. There were moments I just forgot about the plot and stared at the mountains. The real heart of the movie is the relationship between Ray Winstone’s gruff tracker and Temuera Morrison’s fugitive. Seeing these two, from such different worlds but with shared traumas, slowly build respect was genuinely moving. Their conversations felt earned, even when they were trying to capture or escape each other. Yes, it gets slow sometimes, and some of the side stuff with the British soldiers felt a bit weak compared to the main duo. But the core performances kept me hooked, especially heading into that intense ending. It’s not a non-stop action flick, but if you appreciate strong acting and epic views, give it a shot.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of historical dramas and Westerns”
  • “Viewers who appreciate stunning cinematography and natural landscapes”
  • “Audiences interested in character-focused stories and unlikely bonds”
  • “Fans of Ray Winstone and Temuera Morrison”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence (contains intense action sequences and brutal confrontations)”
  • “Historical themes of colonialism and conflict”
  • “Mature themes (prostitution mentioned, loss of family)”

Professional Reviews

• Review Excerpt: “Tracker offers breathtaking New Zealand scenery that practically steals the show. The core dynamic between Ray Winstone and Temuera Morrison is its strongest element, building a compelling, if slow-burn, connection. While some plot points feel familiar and supporting characters are thin, the film provides a visually stunning and emotionally resonant journey focused on its two leads.
• Review Excerpt: “Despite a promising premise and gorgeous locations, ‘Tracker’ struggles with pacing issues and a somewhat predictable narrative arc. Winstone and Morrison deliver solid performances, finding moments of real connection, but the overall experience feels a bit listless. It’s a film that’s easy on the eyes but doesn’t always grip the viewer as tightly as its ‘cat and mouse’ setup suggests.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were captivated by the stunning New Zealand landscape, calling it a character in itself.: The performances and evolving relationship between the two lead actors, Ray Winstone and Temuera Morrison, were widely praised as the film’s strongest point.

The film’s exploration of themes like justice, prejudice, and shared trauma resonated with the audience.: While some found the pace slow, others appreciated the deliberate speed and focus on character development over non-stop action.

Overall Consensus: Tracker is a visually striking historical drama elevated by strong lead performances and a compelling central relationship, though its deliberate pacing and familiar plot structure may not appeal to all.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Despite its visually striking landscapes, the film was made on a relatively low budget of approximately $6.5 million.”
• “Filming took place entirely on location in New Zealand, primarily in the scenic Otago region, known for its rugged mountains and stunning natural beauty.”
• “Director Ian Sharp and cinematographer Harvey Harrison aimed to make the New Zealand landscape a ‘character’ in the film, showcasing its vastness and challenging terrain.”
• “Ray Winstone, a British actor, worked to adopt a convincing Afrikaans accent for his role as Arjan van Diemen.”
• “Temuera Morrison, who plays Kereama, is of Maori descent, adding authenticity to the portrayal of his character.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tracker?

As a film released in 2011, ‘Tracker’ may be available on various digital platforms. You can typically find it to rent or buy through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play, depending on your region. Check these platforms for the most current availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tracker, you might like these similar films:

• Hell in the Pacific (1968): Features a similar core dynamic of two enemies, isolated in a challenging environment, forced to interact and develop a complex relationship.
• Seraphim Falls (2006): A period Western-style film focusing on a relentless pursuit through a harsh wilderness, exploring themes of survival, morality, and the changing dynamic between hunter and hunted.
• The Last of the Mohicans (1992): Set in a historical frontier period, features a compelling chase through breathtaking wilderness landscapes and deals with themes of cultural clash and survival against colonial forces.
• The Proposition (2005): An Australian ‘Western’ set in a colonial era, exploring brutal justice, moral compromises, and tense relationships within a harsh, beautiful landscape.
• Walkabout (1971): A cult classic involving city dwellers lost in the Australian wilderness who encounter and are helped by an Aboriginal boy, highlighting themes of survival, cultural difference, and communication barriers in a stark, beautiful setting.

🛒 Tracker Related Products

• Once Were Warriors (Blu-ray/Digital): Experience another powerful Temuera Morrison performance in this acclaimed New Zealand drama, known for its raw emotional intensity.
• New Zealand: A Photographic Journey: A stunning collection of photographs showcasing the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand, similar to those featured prominently in the movie.
• Ray Winstone Collection (Various Films): A digital bundle or collection featuring some of Ray Winstone’s most memorable performances across his diverse filmography.
• Historical Compass with Leather Pouch: A functional replica compass with an antique finish, perfect for anyone interested in the tools used by trackers in historical settings.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tracker features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

MONSTER TRUCKS | “Driving on the Roof” Clip | Paramount Movies

Ever wondered how a monster truck with an actual monster under the hood tackles obstacles? You HAVE to see this clip! It’s pretty wild how they use Creech here – definitely not something you see every day!

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