An engrossing and haunting experience that successfully melds crafted period drama with an unsettling outback mystery, Picnic at Hanging Rock is filled with palpable dread and rich iconography that is delivered with spellbinding artistry by director Peter Weir.
Picnic at Hanging Rock was indeed the film that introduced Peter Weir to the world stage, and ushered in the Australian New Wave of cinema from which a number of notable filmmakers and talent from Down Under made their mark in Hollywood and beyond.
Adapted from the classic Australian novel by Joan Lindsay, Picnic at Hanging Rock is a disturbing mystery that tells the story of the disappearance of three students and one teacher from a prestigious all girl college, who vanished into thin air while on a field trip at Hanging Rock, Victoria, on Valentine’s Day, 1900.
The films tranquil and mysterious scenery brings forth an ambience that is quite startling, and Weir’s strong ability in establishing mood creates a sense of dread that is palpable. This is heightened by Russell Boyd’s illuminating photography, and the successful collaboration of Bruce Smeaton’s gothic compositions and Gheorghe Zamfir’s pan flute melodies that has created a striking score.
Due to its abundance of young talent (including early performances by Jackie Weaver and John Jarrett) the acting on hand can be raw but is good overall. Special mention should be given to English actress Rachel Roberts for her powerful portrayal of Mrs. Appleyard, the girls’ headmistress who is forced to close due to bad publicity and succumbs to alcoholism to combat her self-imposed guilt.
The films real strength is its story, especially the paranormal connotations attached to it. The fact that there is no clear resolution only strengthens its chilling demeanor since the power of the imagination is a much more effective tool than any clear-cut conclusion.
There have been several theories as to what happened to these characters, the latest and most popular that of alien abduction. However, an ending was published in 1987 as “The Secret of Hanging Rock” and let us say thank God it was not a part of the movie.
An extremely creepy mystery thriller, Picnic at Hanging Rock remains a moody, enigmatic masterpiece of Australian cinema.