I love it when you watch a movie expecting it to be pretty poor and it turns out to be a good wee movie. This film meets all the criteria for a nice easy to watch film, great actors, beautifully shot and a few twists in the plot.
Temuera Morrison plays Keremara a Maori wrongly accused of a crime, he has no option to go on the run as he will be hanged under British justice. Ray Winstone plays Van Diemen a war weary Boer newly arrived from South Africa after the Boer War, his reputation is well known by the British for tracking and fighting.
Van Diemen takes up the chase for Keremara along with the British soldiers, will Keremara be caught, will he be killed by Van Diemen or will he find true justice. I found myself really caring about both the main characters and what the outcome for both of them.
The first 15 minutes are slow but once the focus is on Keremara and Van Diemen the movie comes into it's own, well worth a watch folks.
34 Reviews
Enjoyable - good dialogue, some laughs.
SmokeyTee28 September 2011
The cat and mouse/hunter-prey theme is pretty well rought but this film adds a convincing human element to a film that might otherwise get caught up in the landscape or action.
The early scenes and some of the supporting cast are a little lackluster, and reminded this viewer how difficult it is for New Zealand films to escape a sort of provincialism (for want of a better word) that can often be detected in kiwi films trying to be 'international'. Winstone, Morrison and Andy Anderson as the colonial tracker all stand out in this.
The film has plenty of action and fistycuffs and ballyhoo but the focus is firmly on the tension of the hunt and the connection that forms between Winston and Morrison's characters.
Without adding a spoiler I will say the ending, while not disappointing, might have been 'more'. You make your own mind up!
The early scenes and some of the supporting cast are a little lackluster, and reminded this viewer how difficult it is for New Zealand films to escape a sort of provincialism (for want of a better word) that can often be detected in kiwi films trying to be 'international'. Winstone, Morrison and Andy Anderson as the colonial tracker all stand out in this.
The film has plenty of action and fistycuffs and ballyhoo but the focus is firmly on the tension of the hunt and the connection that forms between Winston and Morrison's characters.
Without adding a spoiler I will say the ending, while not disappointing, might have been 'more'. You make your own mind up!
The Stunning Landscape Ends Up Becoming The Star
Theo Robertson19 June 2013
Keremea a Moari sailor finds himself being falsely accused of murder in New Zealand at the turn of the 20th Century so flees in to the countryside hotly pursued by a posse led by Arjen Van Diemen a veteran of the Boer war
Reading the above synopsis the premise is one that's very familiar , almost too familiar . In many ways it resembles that of a revisionary Western in the tradition of CHATO'S LAND where whites pursue the noble savage and as the story unravels white men are portrayed as being less noble and more savage than their prey . Certainly the audience are under no illusion who to root for but unfortunately the film suffers from a seen it all before feel . It's a common feeling on this page that TRACKER is a film that isn't as good as it could have been but it's impossible to do anything radically different with this type of story
One aspect that is very noticeable is the landscapes . It was common in 1970s Antipodian cinema to to have sweeping rural locations for settings . Later on Australian cinema seemed to locate to urban locations to tell a story where as New Zealand seemed happy to keep its output in a rural setting . Of course LORD OF THE RINGS needed a landscape of wide open spaces but you can see any director quickly falling in love with the country with its beautiful vistas of coastline , forests , mountains and rivers . Here director Ian Sharp seems hypnotised by the countryside , so much so that the hypnotic beauty of the natural countryside ends up becoming the star of TRACKED and overwhelms the narrative
Reading the above synopsis the premise is one that's very familiar , almost too familiar . In many ways it resembles that of a revisionary Western in the tradition of CHATO'S LAND where whites pursue the noble savage and as the story unravels white men are portrayed as being less noble and more savage than their prey . Certainly the audience are under no illusion who to root for but unfortunately the film suffers from a seen it all before feel . It's a common feeling on this page that TRACKER is a film that isn't as good as it could have been but it's impossible to do anything radically different with this type of story
One aspect that is very noticeable is the landscapes . It was common in 1970s Antipodian cinema to to have sweeping rural locations for settings . Later on Australian cinema seemed to locate to urban locations to tell a story where as New Zealand seemed happy to keep its output in a rural setting . Of course LORD OF THE RINGS needed a landscape of wide open spaces but you can see any director quickly falling in love with the country with its beautiful vistas of coastline , forests , mountains and rivers . Here director Ian Sharp seems hypnotised by the countryside , so much so that the hypnotic beauty of the natural countryside ends up becoming the star of TRACKED and overwhelms the narrative
Low budget Kiwi Western
tieman6422 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
"Tracker" finds actor Ray Winstone playing Arjan, a veteran tracker hot on the heels of Kereama (Temuera Morrison), a fugitive on the run. Much of the film consists of a cat and mouse game between predator and prey, Kereama doing his best to outsmart and avoid Winstone's seasoned huntsman. Unusual for such cat and mouse chase movies ("The Hunted", "The Fugitive", "US Marshals", "First Blood", "Chain Reaction" etc) the action takes place in early 20th century New Zealand, director Ian Sharp treating us to scene after scene of jaw-dropping natural scenery, our scampering cast often dwarfed by mountains, waterfalls and vast undulating grasslands (shades of Michael Mann's "Last of the Mohicans").
Strictly speaking the movie may not be a western, but as its set in 1903, takes place on the British frontier and possesses a number of the signifiers typical of the western genre (the arrival of civilisation, an expansive wilderness, gunslingers, trackers, cowboys, horsemen, private justice, nomadic wanderers, bearded wild-men, clashes between white men and indigenous locals etc) we might call it a Kiwi Western. The Western genre is itself filled with similar bounty-hunter tales. Some recent ones: "True Grit", "Seraphin Falls", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" etc.
The film tries to be political. Kereama is Maori, a native of New Zealand, and Arjan is a Dutch settler from South Africa, both men at one point persecuted by the British Empire (The Boer Wars and New Zealand Land Wars). The film ends with a bit of three-way atonement, the Dutch, British and Maori learning to forget and forgive their bloody past histories. For the most part, however, the film is stripped down, sparse, wordless, and content to unfold on an archetypal level. Winstone's your classic monosyllabic maverick, his silence masking some deep past pain (the slaughter of his family).
The film sports a contrived opening, some hokey character interactions and was shot on a very low budget with a tiny crew. The film's script is at times obvious, but such archetypal tales rely on a certain amount of familiarity. Think of "Tracker" as a very good B-movie genre flick.
7.9/10 – Worth one viewing.
Strictly speaking the movie may not be a western, but as its set in 1903, takes place on the British frontier and possesses a number of the signifiers typical of the western genre (the arrival of civilisation, an expansive wilderness, gunslingers, trackers, cowboys, horsemen, private justice, nomadic wanderers, bearded wild-men, clashes between white men and indigenous locals etc) we might call it a Kiwi Western. The Western genre is itself filled with similar bounty-hunter tales. Some recent ones: "True Grit", "Seraphin Falls", "The Outlaw Josey Wales", "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" etc.
The film tries to be political. Kereama is Maori, a native of New Zealand, and Arjan is a Dutch settler from South Africa, both men at one point persecuted by the British Empire (The Boer Wars and New Zealand Land Wars). The film ends with a bit of three-way atonement, the Dutch, British and Maori learning to forget and forgive their bloody past histories. For the most part, however, the film is stripped down, sparse, wordless, and content to unfold on an archetypal level. Winstone's your classic monosyllabic maverick, his silence masking some deep past pain (the slaughter of his family).
The film sports a contrived opening, some hokey character interactions and was shot on a very low budget with a tiny crew. The film's script is at times obvious, but such archetypal tales rely on a certain amount of familiarity. Think of "Tracker" as a very good B-movie genre flick.
7.9/10 – Worth one viewing.
Suspense filled artwork of New Zealand's beauty
studio-163-12324710 October 2011
Having been promised a movie like 'The Fugitive' on the DVD cover, I was not disappointed with this low budget action thriller set in early 20th century New Zealand. The film was a sequence by sequence, parallel to the vastly superior Fugitive, yet still kept me entertained. The film even has a replica fugitive jumping vast distance into the water, not pulling the impact of the fugitive, but still extremely entertaining to see Dr. Hone Ropata stick out his tongue as he falls.
The acting in the film is generally very good. Ray Winstone pulls a great South African accent, occasionally a little rough to understand but constantly a believable and understandable effort. Gareth Reeves also stands out as an exceptional English soldier, standing up amongst the great of Winstone and cementing his nature of a chameleon actor. Mark Mitchinson also stands out as truly despicable villain, a archetypical antagonist, who unfortunately does not give a satisfying conclusion to his arc in the story. The only lowlight in this stellar cast is unfortunately, the usually very talented Temuera Morrison. His lackluster performance is way behind his past standouts as Hone Ropata, Jake the Muss and Jango Fett, making his apparently intimidating character seem vastly inferior and weak standing next to the wonderful Winstone. When emotional scenes are called upon, Morrison seems to shout in a grisly voice, instead of actually acting and it is hard to sympathize for the character without feelings of melodrama seeping in, with only the well written script being an indication of how the viewer should feel.
The film is superbly directed, with every establishing shot a wonderfully beautiful shot of New Zealand landscapes, putting across the setting and giving viewers an idea of the characters anguish and backstory. At times the audio is hard to understand but generally the film is well edited and enjoyable to view. The direction is great and the film, though nothing compared to the Fugitive, is a enjoyable watch.
The acting in the film is generally very good. Ray Winstone pulls a great South African accent, occasionally a little rough to understand but constantly a believable and understandable effort. Gareth Reeves also stands out as an exceptional English soldier, standing up amongst the great of Winstone and cementing his nature of a chameleon actor. Mark Mitchinson also stands out as truly despicable villain, a archetypical antagonist, who unfortunately does not give a satisfying conclusion to his arc in the story. The only lowlight in this stellar cast is unfortunately, the usually very talented Temuera Morrison. His lackluster performance is way behind his past standouts as Hone Ropata, Jake the Muss and Jango Fett, making his apparently intimidating character seem vastly inferior and weak standing next to the wonderful Winstone. When emotional scenes are called upon, Morrison seems to shout in a grisly voice, instead of actually acting and it is hard to sympathize for the character without feelings of melodrama seeping in, with only the well written script being an indication of how the viewer should feel.
The film is superbly directed, with every establishing shot a wonderfully beautiful shot of New Zealand landscapes, putting across the setting and giving viewers an idea of the characters anguish and backstory. At times the audio is hard to understand but generally the film is well edited and enjoyable to view. The direction is great and the film, though nothing compared to the Fugitive, is a enjoyable watch.
great Winstone and Morrison
SnoopyStyle15 November 2020
The Boer War has ended. Arjan van Diemen (Ray Winstone) arrives in New Zealand. The soldiers are returning home but he's a former Boer soldier who lost everything. Three drunken white soldiers find a white woman with a Maori man. The white men start a beating and one of them accidentally kills another. The innocent Maori is accused of murder and becomes a hunted man. Arjan joins the hunting party for the reward.
For the longest time, I struggle to formulate Arjan's journey. I don't think that this movie ends perfectly but it ends well enough. One way to help is not to show the inciting incident. His innocence or guilt can be achieved in other ways. The arrival to that opinion can parallel Arjan's journey. It's harder to pinpoint his thinking unless it's laid bare. I do like the finger idea but it's a little rushed. They should reveal his finger premise from the very beginning. All in all, this is a riveting chase movie with two great actors and a few minor problems.
For the longest time, I struggle to formulate Arjan's journey. I don't think that this movie ends perfectly but it ends well enough. One way to help is not to show the inciting incident. His innocence or guilt can be achieved in other ways. The arrival to that opinion can parallel Arjan's journey. It's harder to pinpoint his thinking unless it's laid bare. I do like the finger idea but it's a little rushed. They should reveal his finger premise from the very beginning. All in all, this is a riveting chase movie with two great actors and a few minor problems.
"I'm just trying to uphold the law."
classicsoncall24 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Films like this don't seem to garner much favor by IMDb viewers, judging by this one's low score as I write this. I think that has to do with pacing and the fact that this isn't an action film per se, but more of a psychological cat and mouse game between the two protagonists. This was my first look at Ray Winstone and Temuera Morrison, and I thought both acquitted themselves well throughout their challenging ordeal. Arjan van Diemen (Winstone) eventually comes to respect and trust the man who's accused of murder (Morrison), and decides to thwart the posse dead set to capture him.
The one thing you have to overlook though, is how any human being can withstand the brutal punishment both men suffered during their physical bouts against each other, and the rugged terrain they encountered while tumbling down hillsides and getting thrown around in bruising rapids. Stuff like that is never properly addressed, and you have to take it on faith that bodies were built to handle that kind of abuse.
I will say that seeing how Kereama survived was more of a twist than the one with van Diemen mutilating himself to save the Maori. After the fact one might question how he hid the disfigurement from the rest of the posse, but it did make for a story resolution that cemented Arjan's admiration for a man who's honor and life was at stake, and who could have killed him at various times during the chase, but didn't. Well done and nicely filmed.
The one thing you have to overlook though, is how any human being can withstand the brutal punishment both men suffered during their physical bouts against each other, and the rugged terrain they encountered while tumbling down hillsides and getting thrown around in bruising rapids. Stuff like that is never properly addressed, and you have to take it on faith that bodies were built to handle that kind of abuse.
I will say that seeing how Kereama survived was more of a twist than the one with van Diemen mutilating himself to save the Maori. After the fact one might question how he hid the disfigurement from the rest of the posse, but it did make for a story resolution that cemented Arjan's admiration for a man who's honor and life was at stake, and who could have killed him at various times during the chase, but didn't. Well done and nicely filmed.
A beautiful movie without a huge budget
rickcop26 November 2023
The film takes place in the early twentieth century, immediately after the Boer War. A ship with volunteer soldiers who fought on the side of Great Britain in the war returns to New Zealand. Former farmer Van Diemen sails there with them. At the same time an excellent tracker, and the worst enemy of the British troops. Unexpectedly, he gets a job exactly according to his profile. Namely, together with an English detachment, to track down a fugitive Maori accused of murdering a soldier.
The entire film is filmed in New Zealand nature. Its nature is very pure and beautiful. Lush flowing meadows, dense dark forests, sonorous forest rivers are very pleasing to the eye. It's like I'm watching Lord of the Rings all over again.
Of course, this film cannot be called a blockbuster. The budget is quite small and it shows. There are no stunning effects or special plot intricacies in it. Everything is quite predictable (although the ending will add its own intrigue), but still, I found this film to be quite enjoyable and interesting.
The entire film is filmed in New Zealand nature. Its nature is very pure and beautiful. Lush flowing meadows, dense dark forests, sonorous forest rivers are very pleasing to the eye. It's like I'm watching Lord of the Rings all over again.
Of course, this film cannot be called a blockbuster. The budget is quite small and it shows. There are no stunning effects or special plot intricacies in it. Everything is quite predictable (although the ending will add its own intrigue), but still, I found this film to be quite enjoyable and interesting.
Old school action with a heart
george-williams-122 April 2011
I saw Tracker at a preview screening a few days back and wasn't sure what to expect - The idea of Ray Winstone attempting a South African Accent in particular made me nervous. And it does get off to a slowish start. But...
As soon as the chase is underway the film really opens out. Moments of genuine threat, tension and some really quite crunchy violence are counterbalanced by a pervading air of melancholy - hunter and hunted have both lost everything - and an increasing dramatic weight to the story as they find common ground whilst engaged in a high risk game of cat and mouse.
It's not the most psychologically complicated movie in the world, basically being a boys own action film, but it's made well, with obvious love and attention to detail plus two towering central performances from the leads. And it has a heart. By the time the film reached it's climax I was properly choked up and genuinely on the edge of my seat.
And Ray did a good job with the accent after all.
As soon as the chase is underway the film really opens out. Moments of genuine threat, tension and some really quite crunchy violence are counterbalanced by a pervading air of melancholy - hunter and hunted have both lost everything - and an increasing dramatic weight to the story as they find common ground whilst engaged in a high risk game of cat and mouse.
It's not the most psychologically complicated movie in the world, basically being a boys own action film, but it's made well, with obvious love and attention to detail plus two towering central performances from the leads. And it has a heart. By the time the film reached it's climax I was properly choked up and genuinely on the edge of my seat.
And Ray did a good job with the accent after all.
It works despite familiar storyline
jordondave-2808529 November 2022
(2010) Tracker
THRILLER ADVENTURE/ HISTORY
Set during the early 1900's, a farmer from South Africa who also happens to be an experienced 'tracker,'hence the title, Van Dieman (Ray Winston) decides to move and set up shop at New Zealand after losing his family during the Boer war. Meanwhile, a Maori aboriginal, Keremara (Temuera Morrison) becomes falsely accused of killing one of the officers in a barn while making out with a prostitute, forcing him to go on the run. Without proper shoe ware, he eventually gets himself captured but not from the posse orchestrated from the leading officer but from Van Dieman. And it was at this point viewers find out that both men have more in common than they think.
Upon watching this appears to be a movie made from a short story as the story moves rather quickly centering on the relationship between it's 2 leading actors of Winstone and Morrison. And it does this by imposing some improbabilities such as when Keremara attempt to escape from Van Dieman but the reason it was done like that was to show their eventual rapport with one another leading up to a somewhat unexpected satisfying conclusion.
Set during the early 1900's, a farmer from South Africa who also happens to be an experienced 'tracker,'hence the title, Van Dieman (Ray Winston) decides to move and set up shop at New Zealand after losing his family during the Boer war. Meanwhile, a Maori aboriginal, Keremara (Temuera Morrison) becomes falsely accused of killing one of the officers in a barn while making out with a prostitute, forcing him to go on the run. Without proper shoe ware, he eventually gets himself captured but not from the posse orchestrated from the leading officer but from Van Dieman. And it was at this point viewers find out that both men have more in common than they think.
Upon watching this appears to be a movie made from a short story as the story moves rather quickly centering on the relationship between it's 2 leading actors of Winstone and Morrison. And it does this by imposing some improbabilities such as when Keremara attempt to escape from Van Dieman but the reason it was done like that was to show their eventual rapport with one another leading up to a somewhat unexpected satisfying conclusion.
A visually attractive, if listless chase film set in New Zealand
dharmendrasingh18 April 2011
Archetypal Londoner, Ray Winstone plays Arjan Van Diemen, a staunchly anti-British character, who fought against the Brits in the Second Boer War. He's come to New Zealand to confront them for scorching his farm and murdering his family. Instead of receiving retribution or an apology, he is invited to track a Maori on the run for the (false) charge of killing a British soldier. The reward is 100 sovereigns alive, 25 dead.
The casting director can't have had many names in the hat for the role of Kereama, so Kiwi Temuera Morrison seems stereotypical. But for a man who I still remember for T.V.'s 'Shortland Street', Morrison more than holds his own. Winstone's presence doesn't faze him. The plot ensures he is integral and not just a brown-skinned irrelevance, and he demonstrates an impressive Maori lexicon to prove it. It's not a natural pairing, but they have unmistakable chemistry. Both are educated, worldly and principled. They have a mutual respect.
Winstone's rotund frame (he's a Boer, but looks more like a bear) suits his weathered character in a way that it hasn't in his recent tough-guy roles. To track Kereama he has to be agile, self-sufficient and able to summon his skills as a South African bushman. He shows in a gritty, punch-up that he still has the moves. And he pulls off a convincing accent.
What stood out for me was New Zealand. Cinema has scarcely photographed a more magnificent land. The mountain ranges, woodlands, lakes and rivers are a pleasure to behold. You can watch 'Tracker' just for the scenery; it really is that attractive.
What spoiled it was the constant to-ing and fro-ing. Van Diemen loses Kereama every time he catches him, though their constant reintroductions allow them to size each other up a bit more. Kereama expostulates 'We both hate the British'. 'I don't hate the British', Van Diemen defies, 'I hated my God, for a time'.
I didn't understand why Van Diemen accepts the task. Money can't be his motivation because that would undermine his case for what the British did to him. Winstone's passion didn't come through for me, and Morrison's sudden embracing of Maori customs and incantations, including a flaccid enactment of the Haka while on the run seemed forced.
There's some fun action, however, set against beautiful, sweeping vistas, but ultimately I wasn't moved enough to believe in the characters or their motivations.
www.scottishreview.net
The casting director can't have had many names in the hat for the role of Kereama, so Kiwi Temuera Morrison seems stereotypical. But for a man who I still remember for T.V.'s 'Shortland Street', Morrison more than holds his own. Winstone's presence doesn't faze him. The plot ensures he is integral and not just a brown-skinned irrelevance, and he demonstrates an impressive Maori lexicon to prove it. It's not a natural pairing, but they have unmistakable chemistry. Both are educated, worldly and principled. They have a mutual respect.
Winstone's rotund frame (he's a Boer, but looks more like a bear) suits his weathered character in a way that it hasn't in his recent tough-guy roles. To track Kereama he has to be agile, self-sufficient and able to summon his skills as a South African bushman. He shows in a gritty, punch-up that he still has the moves. And he pulls off a convincing accent.
What stood out for me was New Zealand. Cinema has scarcely photographed a more magnificent land. The mountain ranges, woodlands, lakes and rivers are a pleasure to behold. You can watch 'Tracker' just for the scenery; it really is that attractive.
What spoiled it was the constant to-ing and fro-ing. Van Diemen loses Kereama every time he catches him, though their constant reintroductions allow them to size each other up a bit more. Kereama expostulates 'We both hate the British'. 'I don't hate the British', Van Diemen defies, 'I hated my God, for a time'.
I didn't understand why Van Diemen accepts the task. Money can't be his motivation because that would undermine his case for what the British did to him. Winstone's passion didn't come through for me, and Morrison's sudden embracing of Maori customs and incantations, including a flaccid enactment of the Haka while on the run seemed forced.
There's some fun action, however, set against beautiful, sweeping vistas, but ultimately I wasn't moved enough to believe in the characters or their motivations.
www.scottishreview.net
Absorbing, character driven adventure drama.
aforandromeda30 November 2014
Boer War veteran Arjan Van Diemen (Ray Winstone), an Afrikaner who has lost everything at the hands of the British, including his family and farm, lands in New Zealand. A superb tracker and thorn in the side of the British during the war, Van Diemen nevertheless is facing an uncertain future. Ironically, he accepts an offer from former foe Major Pritchard Carlysle (Gareth Reeves) to help hunt down and apprehend a fugitive Maori sailor (Temuera Morrison) who has been accused of murder. Venturing deep into the dominion from the coast, Arjan soon finds himself struggling with not only a formidable quarry, but also his own conscience.
Somewhat overlooked upon release and since, Tracker really does deserve a more elevated status. With a well written script and to the point story line, the film quickly demand the viewer's attention. The characters are well fleshed out, with interesting and sympathetic back stories. Veteran director Ian Sharp handles the tale very well indeed, showing strong technical ability and a polished style but without the need for flashy gimmicks or pointless editing. Crucially, he lets the story flow seamlessly and brings out the best in his talented cast.
Performances are truly excellent throughout, with both Winstone and Morrison utilising their considerable screen presences to great effect without ever becoming overbearing. Winstone, a truly underrated actor in my opinion, brings Van Diemen's inner turmoil and sorrow subtly home, as well as providing a convincingly thick Afrikaans accent. Morrison is equally as good as a man beset by his own demons, eliciting sympathy and respect without overacting. The leads are well supported by the rest of the cast, with Reeves as the respectful Major and Andy Anderson as local tracker Bryce being particular highlights.
Of course, the other star of the show is the wonderful New Zealand scenery. The locations are quite simply breathtaking. Harvey Harrison's cinematography is extraordinary well judged, with each scene set against tremendous backdrops that give Tracker a look and feel like few other movies. Mixed with subtle post-production, you quickly find yourself eagerly awaiting the next stunning location.
The only real criticism to make is that the story arc is sometimes predictable, however this is a minor quibble as Tracker is an exceptionally well made and beautifully shot piece of work. Add in it's splendid performances and you have a truly absorbing, well told and refreshingly unpretentious dramatic adventure that deserves to find itself a greater audience.
Somewhat overlooked upon release and since, Tracker really does deserve a more elevated status. With a well written script and to the point story line, the film quickly demand the viewer's attention. The characters are well fleshed out, with interesting and sympathetic back stories. Veteran director Ian Sharp handles the tale very well indeed, showing strong technical ability and a polished style but without the need for flashy gimmicks or pointless editing. Crucially, he lets the story flow seamlessly and brings out the best in his talented cast.
Performances are truly excellent throughout, with both Winstone and Morrison utilising their considerable screen presences to great effect without ever becoming overbearing. Winstone, a truly underrated actor in my opinion, brings Van Diemen's inner turmoil and sorrow subtly home, as well as providing a convincingly thick Afrikaans accent. Morrison is equally as good as a man beset by his own demons, eliciting sympathy and respect without overacting. The leads are well supported by the rest of the cast, with Reeves as the respectful Major and Andy Anderson as local tracker Bryce being particular highlights.
Of course, the other star of the show is the wonderful New Zealand scenery. The locations are quite simply breathtaking. Harvey Harrison's cinematography is extraordinary well judged, with each scene set against tremendous backdrops that give Tracker a look and feel like few other movies. Mixed with subtle post-production, you quickly find yourself eagerly awaiting the next stunning location.
The only real criticism to make is that the story arc is sometimes predictable, however this is a minor quibble as Tracker is an exceptionally well made and beautifully shot piece of work. Add in it's splendid performances and you have a truly absorbing, well told and refreshingly unpretentious dramatic adventure that deserves to find itself a greater audience.
'Tracker' leads to little more than wasted time
natw11 May 2012
I didn't think it was possible, but I finally watched a Ray Winstone movie that wasn't very good. "Tracker" has a fine premise and could have provided a valuable history lesson, as few Americans (myself included) have little knowledge of the Boer Wars. However, despite the gorgeous New Zealand scenery, the plot, direction and acting are fairly lame. Temuera Morrison, playing the native Maori being tracked, overacts to an embarrassing degree and even Winstone - one of my favorite non-American actors - seems to be doing little more than going through the motions. The plot is predictable, the dialog stilted and the movie itself does little more than take up time.
This is a brilliant movie. I highly recommend it
moonrabbit-264-26905412 January 2012
I am not sure what the complaints are all about. The acting is brilliant, the story line holds together just fine. The scenery is fantastic. It is culturally and historically sensitive.
The back and forth in the story between the Tracker and the Maori escapee is reminiscent of another great movie, Hell in the Pacific, which starred Toshiro Mifune and Lee Marvin. Each of them would get the upper hand from time to time.
This movie had me on the edge of my seat and the twist at the end had me gasping. I cannot say enough about this movie. All I can say is watch it!
The back and forth in the story between the Tracker and the Maori escapee is reminiscent of another great movie, Hell in the Pacific, which starred Toshiro Mifune and Lee Marvin. Each of them would get the upper hand from time to time.
This movie had me on the edge of my seat and the twist at the end had me gasping. I cannot say enough about this movie. All I can say is watch it!
A movie very much like "Serephim Falls". Good movie, good acting. You must be in the mood for this one. I say B-
cosmo_tiger4 August 2011
"They're gonna hang me for something I didn't do." Arjan (Winstone) is hired to track down and kill Kereama (Morrison) who is accused of murdering a soldier. When Arjan finally finds him Kereama swears he is innocent, when Arjan begins to believe him he is stuck in a bad spot. Kill him or be killed himself. This is a good movie, but very slow moving. The best thing I can say about this is that if you liked "Serephim Falls" you will love this one as well. It centers around the two main characters and what the deal with in one trying to do his job and the other convincing him he is wrong. The acting is very good and the scenery is outstanding. If you are looking for a movie to just put in and watch, this is not it. This is definitely one to pay attention to. Overall, a good movie, but very slow moving and not much action. I guess this is a western, but again it's a western the same way "Serephim Falls" is. Both good, but must be in the mood for them. I give this a B-.
Would I watch again? - Probably not.
Would I watch again? - Probably not.
Very poor, faux worthy nonsense.
denzil-0943413 October 2017
The opening titles give the clue. All the finance has come from one state funded quango or another. This means one thing only: Every money making production company on earth has passed on the script. With good reason. It's lame.
The photography and locations are lovely but the locations are nonsense. The act on which the plot depends happens in a port of arrival to NZ. The rest of the action, which is in a day's walk of said port is in the mountains and fjords of the SW S Island. That is impossible.
Then we come to casting. My first impression was, Why cast Ray Winstone as a Boer if he can't get within a mile of the accent? After about 20 minutes the answer is clear. Nobody else would do it. It's one of the weakest scripts I've ever suffered. Perhaps Ray doesn't gamble as responsibly as he would have us believe.
The photography and locations are lovely but the locations are nonsense. The act on which the plot depends happens in a port of arrival to NZ. The rest of the action, which is in a day's walk of said port is in the mountains and fjords of the SW S Island. That is impossible.
Then we come to casting. My first impression was, Why cast Ray Winstone as a Boer if he can't get within a mile of the accent? After about 20 minutes the answer is clear. Nobody else would do it. It's one of the weakest scripts I've ever suffered. Perhaps Ray doesn't gamble as responsibly as he would have us believe.
awesome little movie
pa6312 January 2018
could have been much better
afastyorker28 April 2011
The movie poster looks great, and i was drawn to watching this movie as i assumed it will be a very well thought out movie. However the backbone to the movie is a very poor storey line. The screen play is rushed, some of the camera work is very good, but some are also very bad. A river crossing scene is done very badly, and doesn't go well with the flow of the movie. The acting is pretty poor, Winston was the right choice for the part, but his South African accent is way too strong, and it is quite hard to understand him at times. Overall the movie is way below par, it could have been much better with a better storey line, and cast!
No gimmicks. Just excellent story-telling rich with moral dilemmas.
euanthes19 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Telling a story about the inherent contradictions in both indigenous and colonial cultures and their practices is hardly an easy aim which all too often ends up recklessly spinning off into unfair stereotyping or outright cliché - either quick to villainize colonialists as imperialists who have no sense of moral uprightness and cast the repressed indigenous peoples of some region as morally perfect peoples living in a utopian integration with nature ... or the other way: the way conquerers often told the story lauding the good empire and denigrating the savages. This movie commits neither error. It explores the stereotypes and the moral highs and lows of both groups.
I don't think I've seen a more probing and honest film about this sort of subject since Last of the Mohicans (Michael Mann). Though the production quality and budget are not near what they are in a Mann film, there is something actually brilliant about how this film is done WITHOUT the loads of cash which would typically ensure a production like this to be at very minimum, eye-candy watchable. It is a far greater accomplishment and leaves me bewildered why Ian Sharp and Nicholas van Pallandt aren't getting more credit than seems to be showing up here at IMDb.
Maori of New Zealand and bushmen of South Africa (though not directly represented in the film) comprise indigenous groups which have had extensive experience with British colonization for a couple centuries and form a layer of history beneath all of the action taking place in this film. The protagonist, Arjan van Dieder (Ray Winstone), plays a similar sort to his role in Cold Mountain as a man with a tough shell from a poisoned and violent past yet with a softer underbelly that could be at times vulnerable to coaxing. Keremea (Temuera Morrison) is the counterpoint to the protagonist (and nearly a second protagonist). The actor plays a Maori which is fitting enough since he IS one. The two actors play perfectly off one another's grit and tenderness.
There is one scene I would like to spoil though because the writing/direction is utterly impeccable. At the peak of the film there is a "discovery" which borders on psychologically cathartic and metaphysically salvific: at the cave/fire the fugitive & the tracker share a moment of sorrow separated in time and space but united where the solution to the fated, irresolvable moral entanglement is actually creatively worked out inside. This scene is incredibly powerful and proves this film to be written in a uniquely philosophical way meant to address the role of risk (to the point of self-sacrifice) and creativity (to the point of self- mutilation) when dealing with what seem to be insoluble ethical knots.
The scenery throughout the whole film is itself a character and would've been worthwhile without the incredible story-telling!
I don't think I've seen a more probing and honest film about this sort of subject since Last of the Mohicans (Michael Mann). Though the production quality and budget are not near what they are in a Mann film, there is something actually brilliant about how this film is done WITHOUT the loads of cash which would typically ensure a production like this to be at very minimum, eye-candy watchable. It is a far greater accomplishment and leaves me bewildered why Ian Sharp and Nicholas van Pallandt aren't getting more credit than seems to be showing up here at IMDb.
Maori of New Zealand and bushmen of South Africa (though not directly represented in the film) comprise indigenous groups which have had extensive experience with British colonization for a couple centuries and form a layer of history beneath all of the action taking place in this film. The protagonist, Arjan van Dieder (Ray Winstone), plays a similar sort to his role in Cold Mountain as a man with a tough shell from a poisoned and violent past yet with a softer underbelly that could be at times vulnerable to coaxing. Keremea (Temuera Morrison) is the counterpoint to the protagonist (and nearly a second protagonist). The actor plays a Maori which is fitting enough since he IS one. The two actors play perfectly off one another's grit and tenderness.
There is one scene I would like to spoil though because the writing/direction is utterly impeccable. At the peak of the film there is a "discovery" which borders on psychologically cathartic and metaphysically salvific: at the cave/fire the fugitive & the tracker share a moment of sorrow separated in time and space but united where the solution to the fated, irresolvable moral entanglement is actually creatively worked out inside. This scene is incredibly powerful and proves this film to be written in a uniquely philosophical way meant to address the role of risk (to the point of self-sacrifice) and creativity (to the point of self- mutilation) when dealing with what seem to be insoluble ethical knots.
The scenery throughout the whole film is itself a character and would've been worthwhile without the incredible story-telling!
NZ tourism commercial?
mrjlkelly23 November 2013
Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood but I just couldn't enjoy this film no matter how hard I tried. I felt this movie had all the artistic merit of a NZ tourism commercial. When I read about the cast and story I was ready to get down to business because if Ray Winstone is in a film I'm ready to at least give it the time of day. By about the half hour mark I was beginning to question Ray's involvement. Temuera Morrison is an actor who can display rather marvelous psychotic abilities, but his acting range is rather limited beyond that, and that was a big let down for me. I found him more and more annoying as the film progressed.
Overall I just couldn't get into The Tracker, it's greatest crime in my opinion is that it is a very ordinary film. If it was indeed cut down to a 40 second NZ tourism commercial, it may very well have been a success.
Overall I just couldn't get into The Tracker, it's greatest crime in my opinion is that it is a very ordinary film. If it was indeed cut down to a 40 second NZ tourism commercial, it may very well have been a success.
beautifully shot, great actors, a real film without the hype.
new_def_media-42-6794311 May 2011
I saw this film for the second time last night and fell in love with it all over again. If you want to lose yourself in a beautifully directed film with the most spellbinding scenery and cinematography, then this movie is a must. Ray Winston keeps that special something that we all love and expect from his acting, the support is by the by, as the two main character make the movie and i would have been happy with just the two of them in the movie. The drawing together of the two main characters story is a stroke of genius, with some very comical moments that made me laugh out loud. You soon learn to love the characters and feel emotional for the pain and suffering they have both experienced and had to learn to overcome. Thanks for a real non-hyped, relaxing film that will stay fresh for years to come.
Looks lovely but not much in it and a glaring blunder
iainspaton-114-78931223 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Good characters, and a wonderful setting. Ray Winstone looks good as a grizzled Boer, the Maori fugitive conveys his conflicted upbringing very well, and the British Empire characters are convincing enough. However, the relationship between the tracker and the tracked is quite stilted and wooden, unfolding predictably through various twists of fate and escape attempts. The motivation for the tracker in releasing the prisoner towards the end is not quite clear ... it would have been better if he had cynically taken the reward and *then* released the prisoner. This is all mitigated by the great setting and wonderful imagery of the New Zealand wilderness, but the story falls apart at the climactic scene through a fairly basic continuity blunder at the end when Winstone has dry clothes despite jumping into a pool...this also undermines the critical twist. Definitely worth watching if you like outdoors movies, as it deservedly scores highly on scenery, but it could have been a far better film with attention to plot and dialogue.
Competent but ultimately unconvincing
perkypops27 December 2011
There are many things to like about this film. The cinematography is wonderful; the story is simple; the acting is creditable. But sadly, for me, it is let down by a very unconvincing relationship between the "tracker" and the "tracked", both of whom work hard to shift the balance but, in my opinion, do not ever do so.
The plot is familiar. "Savage" in the form of a returning Maori (Morrison) kills soldier in apparent self defence and runs. He is tracked by van Diemen (Winstone) a Boer with his own fish to fry and some disturbed and disturbing British soldiers. There is a promising start to the chase, but, as the "game of cat and mouse" should hot up it seems to cool off, evaporate and lose its way.
Perhaps it gets bogged down in detail about what the players are doing in New Zealand in the first case and why they are fighting their corners. Whatever it is that flaws the early promise the film unravels and we are left with a rather predictable ending, and anti-climax, and no real resolution to the "game".
I am sure there are much better scripts than this to transfer into film. Indeed much better use could and should have been made of this script.
Disappointing.
The plot is familiar. "Savage" in the form of a returning Maori (Morrison) kills soldier in apparent self defence and runs. He is tracked by van Diemen (Winstone) a Boer with his own fish to fry and some disturbed and disturbing British soldiers. There is a promising start to the chase, but, as the "game of cat and mouse" should hot up it seems to cool off, evaporate and lose its way.
Perhaps it gets bogged down in detail about what the players are doing in New Zealand in the first case and why they are fighting their corners. Whatever it is that flaws the early promise the film unravels and we are left with a rather predictable ending, and anti-climax, and no real resolution to the "game".
I am sure there are much better scripts than this to transfer into film. Indeed much better use could and should have been made of this script.
Disappointing.
And the winner is!.........
davyd-022371 January 2019
Take your pick!....scenery-wonderful, Winstone and Morrison a wonderful combination on screen. Plot and storyline really well interwoven and a supremely wonderful finale. Got this as a Christmas gift having viewed it when on TV, fabulous the 2nd time around. Brits do not come out of this well, but everyone plays their part to make this a most enjoyable, entertaining and very different type of film...Highly recommended
For a few sovereigns more.
Someguysomwhere24 April 2011
A former soldier of the Boer war arrives in New Zealand (1903) for reasons unknown (vacation?). Shortly thereafter a British soldier is killed in a conflict with a Maori (native New Zealander) when the soldier and his drinking buddies discover the Maori with a white woman in a barn. The Maori at the time was on a break from a whaling ship on which he served as a harpooner. On learning of the killing, the commander of the soldiers quickly organizes a hunting party with a tracker. He also enlists the aid of the Boer guy that may or may not be on vacation to assist his tracker. There is a nice reward of 100 sovereigns for the Maori alive and 25 dead. This guy needs the money, folks. No other reason to help the British soldiers. And so off they go into the wild.
This movie is a little over an hour and a half but feels like two. This is because of the time spent with dull tracking of quarry and dull conversations with quarry. Who doesn't like a good chase or hunt? But in order to have that you have to find what the hunter and hunted are doing interesting. So (1) you need to get a real sense of their cleverness or ingenuity in trying to capture and avoid capture. And (2) there has to be a heightening of suspense based on a closing of the gap between them and a real sense of their desperation or motivation to succeed as a result; --whatever the cost.
But in this movie I never felt that (1) anyone was being particularly cunning. They did the standard things we've all seen before; broke a branch to make it look like this is where someone went and backtracked over tracks to misdirect. This might have been clever at one time but now it's standard practice even for morons. And (2) I felt the tracking or pursuit in this movie was too leisurely; with the pursuer acting like he was just out for a stroll and not hunting a dangerous killer and the pursued acting like he was playing a little game of hide and seek with an old friend and not in peril for his life. The relationship between these two men bordered on comedy which made me think that maybe the producers should have just said "F!!ck it!" and gone that route. Perhaps they intended --at least in part-- that the movie be a "character study" of the two men; learning what motivated them and who they were thru civil conversation. In other words: Even though I've got a rope around your neck that doesn't mean we can't share. Love, Boloxxxi.
This movie is a little over an hour and a half but feels like two. This is because of the time spent with dull tracking of quarry and dull conversations with quarry. Who doesn't like a good chase or hunt? But in order to have that you have to find what the hunter and hunted are doing interesting. So (1) you need to get a real sense of their cleverness or ingenuity in trying to capture and avoid capture. And (2) there has to be a heightening of suspense based on a closing of the gap between them and a real sense of their desperation or motivation to succeed as a result; --whatever the cost.
But in this movie I never felt that (1) anyone was being particularly cunning. They did the standard things we've all seen before; broke a branch to make it look like this is where someone went and backtracked over tracks to misdirect. This might have been clever at one time but now it's standard practice even for morons. And (2) I felt the tracking or pursuit in this movie was too leisurely; with the pursuer acting like he was just out for a stroll and not hunting a dangerous killer and the pursued acting like he was playing a little game of hide and seek with an old friend and not in peril for his life. The relationship between these two men bordered on comedy which made me think that maybe the producers should have just said "F!!ck it!" and gone that route. Perhaps they intended --at least in part-- that the movie be a "character study" of the two men; learning what motivated them and who they were thru civil conversation. In other words: Even though I've got a rope around your neck that doesn't mean we can't share. Love, Boloxxxi.
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