Rent Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

3.6 of 5 from 205 ratings
1h 42min
Rent Picnic at Hanging Rock Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
  • General info
  • Available formats
Synopsis:
On Saturday 14th February 1900 a party of schoolgirls from Appleyard College took a trip to Hanging Rock near Mt. Macedon in the state of Victoria. During that idyllic sun-drenched afternoon some of the party left the rest of the group and having climbed higher, stopped to rest and fell asleep. They awoke as though still in a dream and silently ventured further through a passage in the imposing rock face. Some of the girls were never seen again.
Actors:
, , , , , , , Frank Gunnell, Karen Robson, Jane Vallis, Christine Schuler, , , , Janet Murray, Vivienne Graves, Angela Bencini, Melinda Cardwell, Annabel Powrie,
Directors:
Producers:
Hal McElroy, Jim McElroy
Writers:
Joan Lindsay, Cliff Green
Others:
Russell Boyd, Greg Bell, Judy Dorsman, Dan Connelly
Studio:
Second Sight Films
Genres:
Classics, Drama
Collections:
Back to School: Best Films Featuring Teachers, Female Filmmakers Who Changed French Cinema, Films & TV by topic, Films by Genre
Countries:
Australia
Awards:

1977 BAFTA Best Cinematography

BBFC:
Release Date:
30/06/2008
Run Time:
110 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 2.0, English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Mixed
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • 'A Dream Within a Dream* (113 mins) - The making of the film featuring interviews with cast and crew
  • 'A Recollection - Hanging Rock 1900* - A 1975 on-set documentary featuring interviews with author Joan Lindsay, Peter Weir and key cast members
  • Joan Lindsay interview - An interview with the author from 1974
  • Audio interview with Karen Robson (Irma)
  • 'Hanging Rock and Martindale Hall: Then and Now' - A tour of the film's principal locations
  • 'The Day of Saint Valentine' - The first screen adaptation of the novel made in 1969 by 13 year old Tony Ingram, with commentary from the director
  • Scenes deleted for The Director's Cut
  • Stills and Poster gallery - Accompanied by an excerpt from the novel read by actor Helen Morse
Disc 1:
This disc includes:
- Director's Cut
Disc 2:
This disc includes:
- Original Version
Disc 3:
This disc includes special features
BBFC:
Release Date:
26/07/2010
Run Time:
102 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1, English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, English LPCM Stereo
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.78:1 / 16:9
Colour:
Colour
Bonus:
  • A dream within a dream: The making of the film featuring interviews with cast and crew
  • A recollection – Hanging rock 1900: A 1975 on-set documentary featuring interviews with author Joan Lindsay, Peter Weir and key cast members
  • Joan Lindsay interview – An interview with the author from 1974
  • Audio interview with Karen Robson (Irma)
  • Hanging rock and martindale hall: Then and now – A tour of the film's principal locations
  • The day of Saint Valentine – The first screen adaptation of the novel made in 1969 by 13 year old Tony Ingram, with commentary from the director
  • Scenes deleted for The director's cut
  • Stills and poster gallery – Accompanied by and excerpt from the novel read by actor Helen Morse
BBFC:
Release Date:
01/05/2023
Run Time:
107 minutes
Languages:
English DTS-HD Master Audio 1.0 Mono, English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles:
English Hard of Hearing
DVD Regions:
Region 0 (All)
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 1.66:1
Colour:
Colour
BLU-RAY Regions:
(0) All
Bonus:
  • A new audio commentary by film academics Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson
  • A Dream Within a Dream: feature-length documentary
  • Finding the Light: a new interview with Russell Boyd
  • A Lovely Day for a Picnic: a new interview with Actor Karen Robson
  • Crashing Through Boundaries: a new interview with Camera Operator John Seale
  • Something Beyond Explanation: Thomas Caldwell on 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'
  • An interview with author Joan Lindsay
  • A Recollection: Hanging Rock 1900
  • Outtakes
  • Original long trailer
Disc 1:
This disc includes the following:
- Director's Cut
- Special Features
Disc 2:
This disc includes the following:
- Theatrical Cut
- Special Features

More like Picnic at Hanging Rock

Reviews (5) of Picnic at Hanging Rock

A Mystery wrapped around an Enigma - Picnic at Hanging Rock review by CP Customer

Spoiler Alert
25/07/2008

Peter Weir 'Picnic on Hanging Rock' is one of the most hypnotic and haunting films ever to come from Australia.

It concerns the vanishes of three girls during an afternoons picnic and the people who become obsessed by the incident.

The film is tense and really gets under your skin. I loved the music that created a tangible atmosphere, accompanied by sublime visuals that pulled me into the story.

When the credits rolled I was felt thoroughly satisfied. Though to be warned it's not a hollywood film so don't expect ever question to be left answered - but this added to the enjoyment.

4 out of 4 members found this review helpful.

Disappointing - Picnic at Hanging Rock review by KN

Spoiler Alert
11/02/2019

As a lover of Australian films of that era I found this disappointing. Mysterious disappearances should be more enigmatic and atmospheric. I found this didn’t have either of these attributes. There’s nothing really wrong with the film I just didn’t engage with it

0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

46 years on... - Picnic at Hanging Rock review by TE

Spoiler Alert
16/07/2021

Despite having one of the great film titles (taken from the earlier novel) 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' has not really stood the test of time (at least not for me).

It's sense of mystery is heavily diluted by the affected, highly stylised way that the young women talk to each other. The undertones of repressed sexuality are there, but everything is done with a heavy touch and the core enigma feels plain lifeless and wishy-washy. Do we care what happened to the girls?

Emotional hysteria in girls' boarding schools has become something of a cinematic cliche. Peter Weir may have got into this sub-genre earlier than others, but there are many better films from this vibrant period for Australian cinema.

0 out of 1 members found this review helpful.

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