Picnic at Hanging Rock (Widescreen)

Sound intriguing enough? This film asks more questions that it answers, inviting the viewer to dream up their own explanation for what happened to the girls. According to the Joan Lindsay novel's "missing chapter", the girls were sucked down a wormhole (or something), but I think both Lindsay and Weir were wise to leave this out. Which perhaps adds to the mystique.

In all its nebulous beauty, the film actually does a remarkable job of capturing a resplendent mood. The Australian vistas are even more evocative than that of "The Piano" -- ethereal and brooding. This curious rock that hangs over the film with its menacing presence is given almost mythical status, and even to the viewer on the other side of the screen seems oddly alluring.

Personally I'd have liked the ending to be a bit different, but hey, the movie is hauntingly memorable, and if it's any consolation, it's not until after the movie you may wish for a more clear-cut resolution.

Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles   Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?

Signaler ce commentaire

This film, often mistakenly belived to be based on a true story, which it is not, is set on Valentine's day in the year 1900.
This film is based on the book by Joan Lindsay.

A group of adolescent girls go on a boarding school trip to Hanging Rock, a volcanic outcropping in southern Australia. 3 of the girls and one of the teachers climb to the top and vanish. a week later one of them is found but not a trace remains of the others.

The linear notes by Vincent Canby that come with the DVD say it best. "Horror need not always be a long-fanged gentleman in evening clothes or a dismembered corpse or a doctor who keeps a brain in his gold fish bowl."

This film remains one of my favorite "horror" movies. Even with no on screen deaths or bodies, it remains one the most frightening PG rated films.

The film leaves more questions than answers.

A remark made to one of the girls before she vanished, "You look like a Botticelli angel" by a classmate, could be an indication that the girls are not of this world but would not explain why one of them returns unharmed.

The girls' spellbound trance-like state as they ascend to the summit could indicate that they are drawn to the top by a "Pied Piper" kind of entity.

The musical score of this film adds to its incredible storyline and has a great effect on the viewer. I love the music in this film but unfortunately there is no soundtrack available.

This is one of my favorite movies and is very mystifying and though-provoking.

This is also the first English language film in the Criterion collection to include English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impared.

Sadly the Criterion edition curently has no audio commentary, and the only special feature is the theatrical trailer. I certainly hope that they will release a new version with commentary as this film certainly deserves the treatment.

Aidez d'autres clients à trouver les commentaires les plus utiles   Ce commentaire vous a-t-il été utile ?

Signaler ce commentaire