Review of Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) by Darryl S — 22 Jul 2012

Probably one of the more confusing and least enjoyable Australian films I've seen, this one takes 1970s bad filmmaking schlock and displays it proudly. There is no resolution to this story, no reason given, no ulterior connections, no deeper meaning whatsoever.

I've heard that the original author had written that this was a story about a gateway to another dimension that was opened by mischievous spirits/aliens. If you watch the movie thinking that, you'll probably be far more entertained than I was.

This film is, in my opinion, a complete missed opportunity for really spooky and haunting cinema; instead, it's a terrible movie that is only remembered because of the director and childhood memories that some viewers will associate with, "Matilda! Matilda!".