Tracks

robyn davidson has gone largely unnoticed in this country (america). she is an accomplished writer who was named the most important female adventurer/explorer of the 20th century by national geographic. thank goodness the movie was produced by australian interests instead of hollywood (who wanted to cast ms. roberts, of "pretty woman" fame). wia wasikowska is spot-on perfect.

I love true adventure, and encouraged by "The King's Speech" which impressed me deeply, I made my choice. You get a a realfeel of the plodding nature of this trek; as Robyn, the protagonist said, it was as if she just kept moving her feet and the earth turned under her. Back in the late 70's, Robyn Davidson, a white young woman in Australia, who has always felt happier with animals than with people, tired of her generation's mores, tired and bored with odd jobs and purposelessness, decides to trek across the Australian desert from a midcontinental point about 1600 miles west, to the ocean. There are thriving populations of feral camels (!) in the desert, which decides her to learn camel care and training, so she can capture and train her own wild beasts. This part of the movie is very interesting, educative and inspiring. She is not afraid of them, works hard to learn , handles them well and respects their limits. One of her mentors gives her a rifle to take, which she refuses at first, but he insists, saying "When you are out there, and a bull camel is charging toward you, don't think, just shoot to kill." You can see she would rather not, but when the actual incident occurs, your hair stands up and you start to edge back in your chair, feeling the utter malignant intention and discernable power of the three bulls charging her, one of which is in full weight and maturity. If she didn't have that gun, you just know they would have kicked, tromped, bit and tossed past death her, her dog, and her camels (which had to be hobbled at rest times). I felt utter relief that she was a good shot, despite no apparent experience. The travelogue aspect of the film was worthwhile; my idea of inland Australia was very limited; many scenes were beautiful, but many were monotonous and repetitious too. The latter is not judgemental, justdescriptive. What bothered me however, was the irony that though she was not comfortable or happy around people, she would not have lived through the trip without their help! She was disdainful and unhappy with the photographer doing his job, but he wasa caring person, and did many things to help, one of the most important of which was planting water containers at intervals through the severely waterless part of the desert. She thought she could make it through without help, that she would find solutions off the cuff. I didn't sense or hear gratitude for the help she received, although she was generally accepting and sometimes affectionate.The other point was that I wanted to believe in her competence, but, it was inconsistent, so I never felt really at ease that shewould make it through. For about the second half of the movie, her character did not inspire me. Her courage and doggedness, and determination to WALK herself, leading the camels, instead of riding them is amazing; but the gist of the movie is the plodding nature of the trek. Often she failed to cover her head or body to protect it from burning. I needed to see her exercise self care.To not do that made me think she didn't really value herself. Nor did I ever see her looking around, taken in by the amazing life around her. In conclusion, the trip was anamazing one, but I didn't feel amazement during the watching of it, which took away a large amount of pleasure and I award 4 stars mostly for the cinematography and geography.

I had just heard of this story last yesterday. My Uncle being an avid reader, has read many books. While talking to him about my future journeys, and all the incredible documentaries that I have watched recently, he told me about a book. He said it was his favorite book that he ever read. He didn't know the name, but he said it was a story about a women who walked across Australia with the support of Camels. Sometime later I got in my vehicle and headed for work (food delivery). The the past few days I have been listening to a book via Audible about a journey along the Pacific Crest Trail, called The Trail Provides. Shortly after I left, something happened that was quite amazing. The part of story I was on was about the adventurists being stuck at a shelter due to snow in the Sierra's. It mentioned that someone had fortunately logged into Netflix. The movie Wild came up as a recommendation, but the vote was to watch something else. Then the real life guy, Author, and Narrator of the book said they found a movie about a women who walked across Australia with her dog and 4 Camels. The movie was called Tracks. I was completely amazed that this movie was mentioned in a random book I downloaded on Audible. The gap between first hearing about this story, and hearing it mentioned in a book was quite small. I knew I had to watch it. I called my Uncle to tell him about this odd occurrence, and he too thought it was awesome. Now that I have watched the movie, I am even more inspired to push my limits even further. I am so amazed by the people who embrace this life and live with everything they got. I have yet to listen to this book, but know I know what incredible story I am downloading next. As for the movie: Easy 5 Stars. Note: Movie is no longer on Netflix

Mia Wasikowska in one of her earliest films, playing Robyn Davidson, and follows Robyn's remarkable solo camel trek across Australia's harsh and unforgiving interior in 1977, then 27-year-old Robyn set out on a 2700km journey with four camels and her dog. When she wrote an article about her adventure, it generated so much interest she wrote a book that became an instant bestseller.What a remarkable and uncompromising film this is, Mia magically portrays Robyn's free spirit in her need to be solitary on her journey and her determination and vulnerability as she works her way into obtaining the camels and dealing with the difficulties of that long trek across Australia.If anyone has ever felt the need to escape the maddening crowd and strike off on your own, this shows the highs and lows of that experience and reflected something deep within my own psyche, when i found crowds of people oppressive.I never did get that far, and this film and Robyn Davidson's books and photo albums show just how much it takes to strike out and go your own way. Highly recommended, and don't expect a nice easy ride on a camel, just expect a glimpse at the truth, and wonder how you wold have dealt with that challenge?

If you love dogs or camels get this. If your inspired by people who break boundarious and attempt the seamingly impossible then get this. A slow unravelling story, like the 2001 a space Odesy equivalent for overland journeys. I appreciate that others say the book better explains the back story but books and films can't illuminate such a journey in the same way. I'm going to get the audible version if the book but this film stands alone. I've walked 631 miles in 7 weeks on a trek and the daily repetition, though unique, is captured beautiful. Atmospheric music and stunning scenery, filmed brilliantly.

Could have been better. I was hoping the film the film would give a clearer insight into why the central character felt the need to go on such an arduous trek across the outback, what was driving her, what kept her going etc These things were glossed over or not made very clear. The result is that one is left watching an apparently unlikeable (because we dont get to know her) main character, and left confused as to why she is doing it all. I think I will read the book!

The film itself was a lttle slow from what could have been more involved the film skipped over issues; like the survival element and was a bit unrealistic in parts with sessions of no sun protection, no hat ...but a soft watchable good feel film and an insight into the Australian outback.. could do better

I read about Mia Wasikowska, the lady who took camels across an Australian desert, in a weekend supplement of my newspaper. It sounded a fascinating story, so I pre-ordered the DVD and watched it on holiday, before which it had just arrived. I wasn't disappointed, as it was true to the story I'd read in the magazine and was truly enjoyable. It's a film I'll watch again and again over time.