Tracker (2010) Plot Summary & Timeline

The film opens with a poignant reminder that the Boer War, fought between 1899 and 1902, marked the first time New Zealanders volunteered to fight overseas, with approximately 6,000 men joining the British forces against the Boer settlers in South Africa. After the war’s conclusion, many defeated Boers—having lost their families and farms—sought new beginnings by joining returning soldiers in search of fresh land and opportunities. This historical context sets the stage for a story deeply rooted in themes of conflict, loss, and the quest for redemption.

In 1903, at a bustling New Zealand harbor, Major Pritchard Carlysle is introduced as a meticulous and authoritative figure. During his breakfast, he reviews the docking list and is immediately taken aback upon noticing the name Arjan van Diemen, played by Ray Winstone. Curious and somewhat cautious, Major Carlysle instructs his aide to have customs officials stop van Diemen for questioning. When the customs officer approaches, van Diemen’s gaze drifts momentarily to three young girls standing nearby, illustrating his reflective and perhaps haunted demeanor.

The tension escalates quickly when Sergeant Saunders—a veteran soldier who recognizes van Diemen from the South African conflict—intercepts the aide and, furious, confronts van Diemen. Recognizing the infamous “butcher of British soldiers,” Saunders pulls a gun, disarms, and arrests him, marching him off to see Major Carlysle. The Major, visibly unsettled by van Diemen’s presence, orders Saunders to return the gun and offers a polite, yet tense, apology, reflecting on how some still do not understand that the war has ended. Carlysle then reveals that he previously spent two years attempting to track down van Diemen in the Transvaal but, now recognizing him, sincerely hopes he can find peace with a new farm.

The story then shifts to the rural setting of a stable, where Kereama, portrayed by Temuera Morrison, a Maori man, is engaged in a tender moment with Lucy, a local prostitute. Kereama is shown with a pouch around his neck containing dust from his grandfather’s homeland, symbolizing his deep cultural roots and connection to his heritage. He is respectful and supportive of Lucy, building her self-esteem and suggesting that she would be considered a princess in his culture. Their quiet intimacy contrasts sharply with the violence soon to unfold.

Later, a drunken Saunders, along with two corporals, stumbles out of a bar and notices the stable lights. Sensing an opportunity, Saunders intervenes in a conflict between Kereama and the soldiers, which quickly turns violent. Despite initial physical dominance, Kereama defends himself fiercely in his native tongue, and Lucy tries to intervene. In the chaos, Saunders attempts to kill Kereama with a pitchfork but accidentally fatally wounds his own corporal instead, leading to panic and false accusations. Lucy, bruised and frightened, confirms the soldiers’ story, though suspicion lingers among the authorities.

Major Carlysle arrives on the scene, unimpressed with the soldiers’ account, and orders a search for Kereama. He enlists a local tracker named Bryce, refusing the use of bloodhounds, claiming he does not want to turn the pursuit into a blood sport. Carlysle also offers van Diemen a monetary reward—100 sovereigns—for capturing Kereama alive or 25 sovereigns if dead, emphasizing the importance of the mission. Van Diemen, aware of Kereama’s skills as a harpoonist, investigates and learns that Kereama left his whaling ship just before the hunt begins.

The search intensifies as the party travels down the beach, with Bryce initially following the wrong trail, believing Kereama intends to escape via a ship. Recognizing this mistake, van Diemen heads inland alone, where he picks up the correct trail. The pursuit culminates in the capture of Kereama the following morning, leading to a tense and meaningful exchange. Kereama, after being overpowered, shares with van Diemen that his sole purpose is to restore his family’s honor—mirroring the Boer fighters’ shame—by returning home and fighting for freedom. Their conversation reveals van Diemen’s personal pain, shown through his family photographs and guarded responses about his deceased wife and children, which he dismisses with a curt explanation of farm burnings and hardships during the Boer War.

Amidst the rugged wilderness, Kereama overpowers van Diemen during a river encounter but ultimately spares him from drowning. Their subsequent dialogue reveals a shared understanding of loss and retribution. Kereama exposes how his grandfather was shamefully defeated, and they discuss the brutal reality of war, including van Diemen’s own brutal acts—cutting off the trigger fingers of captured British officers as a form of grim respect.

As the terrain becomes more treacherous, the search team demonstrates relentless determination. Major Carlysle sends soldiers back to base for more supplies, illustrating the prolonged and exhausting nature of their hunt. Tensions escalate when Saunders smirks at Kereama, risking a dangerous escalation, especially with van Diemen involved. That evening, van Diemen secretly feeds Kereama meat, and their dialogue deepens the plot’s emotional core. They reflect on what they fought for, with Kereama sharing how he watched his grandfather and others suffer at the hands of the British, fueling his desire for revenge and justice.

Kereama escapes again, aided by van Diemen who, recognizing the danger, carefully stages a false trail to buy him time. The climax intensifies when van Diemen tracks Kereama to his ancestral cave. Inside, van Diemen kneels outside with his Bible and family portrait, praying quietly for strength. Kereama, inside, emerges after the prayer, and together they leave the cave, with van Diemen now shielding Kereama from danger. In a profound moment, Kereama asks van Diemen to shoot him to avoid dying like his grandfather. Van Diemen hesitates but ultimately complies, shooting Kereama at a waterfall after a heartbreaking farewell.

The scene cuts to the search party finding Kereama’s body. Van Diemen, standing solemnly by the waterfall, presents a bloodied bandage containing an index finger to Major Carlysle, claiming it as a trophy and a mark of respect for Kereama’s courage. Saunders, enraged, demands vengeance, but van Diemen’s display of strength and restraint ensures order. The military officer commands that Kereama’s body be buried, acknowledging his bravery.

Back at base, Major Carlysle observes a man with a head injury, then realises that Kereama is still alive, initiating a secret manhunt across ports and whaling stations for the Māori, with orders to capture him alive. The story then shifts to a beach, where passengers await a launch to Australia. Van Diemen sits apart from the crowd, receiving a modest reward from Carlysle, who confirms that Kereama survived. Flashbacks reveal that van Diemen intentionally shot to miss during the waterfall confrontation to let Kereama escape, later pistol-whipping him into the pool and planting a knife near his body.

The final scenes show van Diemen on a launch, gazing at his family’s photograph with a tear running down his face, symbolizing his peace after years of internal conflict. Meanwhile, Carlysle, riding away, orders heightened vigilance against the Māori with a missing index finger—an ominous sign of Kereama’s continued freedom and resilience.

As the story concludes, Kereama arrives at a station, where officials scrutinize his papers and subtle signals hint that he remains under surveillance. Despite his attempts to hide, it becomes clear that the fight for justice and identity is ongoing, leaving a lasting impression of sacrifice, reconciliation, and the enduring struggle for freedom.