Review of Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) by Matthew M — 19 Mar 2006

In music, cinematography and atmosphere it is unexcelled. But what really separates it from other great movies is its capacity to evoke a sense of wonder. Clues are thrown in at just the right moments to keep the interest going, but the mystery of the Rock is maintained throughout, and therefore lingers on in the audience's mind long after the initial viewing.

For me these are made all the better by my extensive perusal of the works of Lovecraft, Poe, Machen and Blackwood, many of which deal with things lurking beneath the earth, spirit worlds pressing upon our own, etc.

In short, this is, in my ever-so humble opinion, the best movie of all time - or at least that I have seen.