Classic DVD: Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975)

October 22, 2010 in Film | Permalink

Anne-Louise Lambert, who played Miranda, still acts in film and television and is also a psychotherapist.

A beautiful enigma, Peter Weir’s drama, Picnic at Hanging Rock tells the story of a fin de siècle school outing in Australia that turns into a baffling, lingering nightmare.

On Valentine’s Day 1900, girls from a remote boarding school enjoy an afternoon excursion to Hanging Rock, a volcanic formation that’s one million years old. The stern headmistress describes the rock’s creation in almost sexual terms, stressing the viscous nature of the eruption. When a small group of girls and a teacher hike closer to the natural landmark, all is well. When they vanish without a trace, panic ensues. Rescue parties have limited success and return with further mystery.

“I’d give my head to know what happened up there,” says a doctor, who’s been brought in to make sure that a rescued girl hasn’t been molested and is still “intact.” But what chance does his head full of logic have against the intractability of nature, whether it’s ants encroaching on a picnic blanket, volcanoes erupting unexpectedly or the raging hormones of adolescence. (Available from Netflix and other outlets.)

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