Rent Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

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

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.

Aussie Masterpiece. - Picnic at Hanging Rock review by Steve

Languorous arthouse enigma often rated the best film ever made in Australia. Which is fair enough. What most resonates is the romantic aura of gauzy nostalgia- set in 1900- merged with a vague impression of supernatural threat. This is mainly achieved through the stunning cinematography.

And the sound mix also captures the numb serenity of a hot summer’s day, augmented by the ambient soundtrack and strange atmosphere of the locations. Plus the period costumes and set decor. This is an eerily beautiful film. The cast of girls who go missing on a school picnic, feel insubstantial, ephemeral. Lost in a trance of unconscious ritual.

Peter Weir skilfully employs all the tools of cinematic art to suggest a series of themes which are never quite resolved: the sexual vulnerability of the unwary children; the incongruity of aristocratic privilege in a wild and enchanted landscape; and a sense of humanity, transient against the vastness of prehistory.

The Aboriginal people hardly feature, but their absence haunts the film. The events are presented as a true story, though it is adapted from a novel (by Joan Lindsay). It feels authentic, yet magical. Almost horror. Almost science fiction. This is the masterpiece of the Aussie New Wave.

A Mystery Drama, Beautiful, Enigmatic and Very Original - Picnic at Hanging Rock review by GI

This mystery drama with subtle hints of horror and a surreal and mystical vibe has garnered much admiration over the years despite a controversial ending. It remains a key Australian film and one that hooks you and keeps you attentive despite its quite languid narrative. The opening screen information strongly suggests the film is based on real events when, in fact, it's an adaptation of a novel and completely fictional and even knowing this the plot arc leaves you with an unsettled feeling that this may have actually happened. Part of the reason for that is the film asks more questions than it answers and it captures that aura of strange magic that oozes from the land and in particular the 'hanging rock' of the title. It's also an immensely beautiful film both visually and sensually, with a never revealed sexual tension running through it. The story is set in 1900 at a prestigious girls preparatory school. One valentines day a group of the girls are allowed to go on a picnic into the bush at Hanging Rock accompanied by two of their teachers. When three of the girls and a teacher mysteriously disappear no trace of them can be found despite a large scale search. The effects of the mystery has an effect on the owner and head teacher, Miss Appleyard (Rachel Roberts), the other girls and teachers and a local man (Dominic Guard) who is determined to find the missing party. The sensual beauty and enigmatic atmosphere of the film are enhanced by the beautiful soundtrack and the soft focus cinematography. This is rather a clever and mystifying film that is worth viewing a few times to try and unravel the imagery and riddles that the narrative sets for the viewer. It's unusual but a delight.