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Poster for Picnic at Hanging Rock

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Seen it?

1975 | 107 min | Drama, Mystery

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes) and people are still talking about it. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Lion or Walkabout, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 47 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG: a parent's death or loss. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1975: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

In the early 1900s, Miranda attends a girls boarding school in Australia. One Valentine's Day, the school's typically strict headmistress treats the girls to a picnic field trip to an unusual but scenic volcanic formation called Hanging Rock. Despite rules against it, Miranda and several other girls venture off. It's not until the end of the day that the faculty realizes the girls and one of the teachers have disappeared mysteriously.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.2 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Best Cinematography. Also nominated for 2 more BAFTAs.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $5 million worldwide on a $460K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactVery strong

    About 326K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Peter Weir

  • Rachel RobertsMrs. Appleyard
  • Dominic GuardMichael Fitzhubert
  • Helen MorseMlle. de Poitiers
  • Jacki WeaverMinnie
  • Anne-Louise LambertMiranda
  • Christine SchulerEdith
  • Karen RobsonIrma
  • Margaret NelsonSara
  • Jane VallisMarion
  • Vivean GrayMiss McCraw