Backbencher

The Tracker is a film based in 1922 Australia. It features a group of white men searching for a Aborigine who is accused of killing a white woman. The group is led by a very experienced Aborigine man who at times seems to simply be following his nose in his pursuit of the accused man. The leader of the group, a fanatical white man, is deeply racist and has no sympathy for the aborigines. At one point early in the film he kills an entire tribe of Aborigines simply because he wants to send a message to them that crimes by tribesman will not be tolerated. His extreme hatred of "blacks" causes his followers to begin to doubt his sanity and question his leadership. After angering the tribe they are pursued by unseen aborigines who first kill their pack horse then wounds the older man. Thinking his compatriots wounds are slowing them down the leader again resorts to murder to achieve his goal when he puts the older man out of his misery. All this is noted by the Tracker who takes revenge into his own hands by turning the tides on the leader and hanging him for the murder or innocent people. The remaining white man, a young soldier and the tracker manage to find the accused aborigine amongst another tribe who captures and punishes him for raping one of their own. Satisfied by this the Tracker and the young soldier part ways.

This film offered great insight into the racist beliefs held by whites in the early 20th century. The leader of the group treats the aborigines he comes across and almost subhumans who need to be protected from themselves and arent worth the trouble they can cause. The Tracker, for his part, seems to take this hatred in stride until he finally takes his revenge. Throughout the film he seems to admit his peoples short comings but takes pride at the end of the film with how his people handle the wanted man. Australia's role in this film is played out across the outback, where the harsh desert landscape and lack of food and water makes the trek after the man deadly if not for the help of their native guide. I enjoyed this film and thought it was a great resource for anyone who wants to gain understanding for the racism that was rapant in 1920's Australia, as well as before and after that decade.