| Director | Stephen Johnson |
|---|---|
| Genre | action film |
| Runtime | 104 min |
| Country | Australia |
| Box office | $2.3 million |
In 1919, a community of Yolngu people in Arnhem Land are massacred in a police operation to punish unrelated Aboriginal men for killing a cow. Only two survive the attack: a warrior, Baywara, and his nephew, Gutjuk. World War I veteran and policeman, Travis, saves and takes Gutjuk to the East Alligator River Mission Outpost, handing him over to Claire. Travis abandons his job in disgust.
Twelve years later, policemen Moran and Eddy reapproach the guilt-ridden Travis, insisting that he must hunt down a mob led by Baywara that has recently terrorised white settlements. Travis takes Gutjuk, now eighteen years old and called ‘Tommy’ in the mission, with him in an attempt to make peace with Baywara. Moran sends Eddy and Walter, a "half-caste", after them.
Once Baywara and his group are found, Grandfather Darrpa agrees to make peace negotiations with Moran back at the mission. The meeting is abruptly interrupted by news that Baywara has attacked another station. Gutjuk rescues Gulwirri, a young woman with Baywara's group, from getting assaulted by white stockmen.
Gutjuk and Gulwirri meet Baywara at the site of the 1919 massacre. Thinking that he is about to kill Gutjuk, Travis shoots Baywara. This triggers another series of killings, with Travis also shooting Walter to save Gutjuk. Now realising who was responsible for the murder of his family, Gutjuk shoots Travis, wounding but not killing him.
Gutjuk creates a distraction by burning the church and attacks the mission settlement. There is a stand-off; Travis shoots Moran, then Claire shoots Eddy. Moran's nephew, Bruce, aims at Gutjuk, but Travis takes the bullet and dies. Gutjuk and Gulwirri ride off on a piebald horse.