Picnic at Hanging Rock Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Peter Weir's "Picnic at Hanging Rock," supervised by Weir himself, is an outcome of meticulous restoration and high-definition transfer. This transfer, sourced from a 35mm interpositive and created on a Spirit DataCine, showcases commendable clarity and detail. Encoded with MPEG-4 AVC at 1080p resolution and presented with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio, the film exhibits stable and natural-looking colors without noticeable color boosting. The daylight scenes display particularly pleasing depth, with a range of soft and warm hues—blues, browns, greens, reds, yellows, and grays—retained perfectly. Despite minimal noise correction to preserve grain authenticity, the organic look remains consistent.

While not flawless, as is often the case with a 39-year-old film, the Blu-ray shows minimal imperfections. Some light noise and fleeting issues like minor instability during static shots or crossfade transitions are present but do not detract significantly from the viewing experience. The occasional shakiness seen in early scenes is not pervasive and does not persistently interrupt the film's immersion. A noteworthy element is the intentional soft focus implemented using nets (even pantyhose) by the cinematographer to achieve a dream-like atmosphere; this decision enhances the film's ethereal aesthetic while leaving certain shots strikingly sharp.

Restoration efforts have effectively removed most scratches and debris, maintaining excellent consistency in colors and contrast throughout. No tools for edge-enhancement or DNR have been employed, ensuring the preservation of celluloid grain. The Criterion team, leveraging Pro Tools HD and iZotope RX 3 for additional restoration, guarantees an engaging visual experience free from serious transitions or stability issues. This meticulously restored Region-A locked Blu-ray version will require compatible region-free players for proper access but delivers a visually satisfying experience true to Weir's artistic vision.

The audio presentation of the Blu-ray release of "Picnic at Hanging Rock" features a single English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track and optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. The lossless 5.1 track delivers a nuanced range of dynamics that significantly enhance Gheorghe Zamfir's legendary score, particularly during the pan-flute solo at the beginning. Dialog is consistently crisp, stable, and clean with no reports of distortions, pops, cracks, or audio dropouts, thus providing an overall solid aural experience.

However, the 5.1 surround elements may not fully meet expectations for immersive audio. The sound is predominantly front-heavy, mimicking a 2.0 mix rather than utilizing the full potential of 5.1 channels. Surround channels are rarely engaged, except in isolated scenes like the search party at Hanging Rock, where vocal effects momentarily branch out to the rear speakers. Despite this, the audio quality remains strong, with most vocals appearing clear and balanced—even if several scenes suffer from slightly blown-out voices. The score is a highlight, with moments of gentle piano melodies and bass-heavy eerie compositions that aim to deepen the film's atmosphere, albeit occasionally accompanied by less effective thumping sounds reminiscent of pre-subwoofer LFE.

In summary, while the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track excels in clarity and dynamic range, its underutilized surround channels and front-heavy focus might leave those seeking a more enveloping audio experience somewhat wanting. Nevertheless, the technical sound details and the music score provide enough strength to maintain an engaging audio presentation overall.

The Blu Ray extras for "Picnic at Hanging Rock" exhibit meticulous curation and provide deep, analytical insights into the film's production and legacy. Highlights include a thorough introduction by film scholar David Thomson, offering significant contextual analysis recorded exclusively for Criterion. Additionally, the documentary "Everything Begins and Ends" assembles key cast and crew interviews to explore the intricacies of the film’s production. Director Peter Weir’s archival interview delves into his creative process and experiences adapting Joan Lindsay’s novel. The inclusion of Weir's 1971 film "Homesdale" provides further context to his directing style. Supporting these video features are a comprehensive booklet with essays and a paperback edition of Lindsay's novel, offering a well-rounded and enriching experience for enthusiasts and scholars alike.

Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: Original trailer for Picnic at Hanging Rock.
• David Thomson Introduction: Film scholar David Thomson discusses the film's themes.
• Everything Begins and Ends: Documentary with cast and crew insights.
• A Recollection… Hanging Rock 1900: Documentary on the film's production history.
• Peter Weir: Archival interview with director Peter Weir.
• Homesdale: Peter Weir's 1971 film.
• Booklet: Essays by Megan Abbott and Marek Haltof.
• Book: A new paperback edition of Joan Lindsay's novel.

Peter Weir's "Picnic at Hanging Rock" (1975) is a seminal piece of cinema that carved out a space for Australian film on the world stage. Based on Joan Lindsay's novel, the narrative unfolds on February 14, 1900, where schoolgirls from Appleyard College visit Hanging Rock, only for several to mysteriously vanish. Weir masterfully leverages the film's dreamlike quality through meticulous use of light, color, and subtle slow-motion techniques, creating a hauntingly immersive experience. The cinematography, which won a Saturn Award, employs a poetic visual language that frames the Australian landscape as both enchanting and foreboding.

The movie adeptly balances its plot between eerie mystery and symbolic exploration, invoking multiple interpretations from supernatural phenomena to tragic crimes. These open-ended interpretations add layers of depth, making the film continuously intriguing if somewhat frustrating. The absence of resolution is central to the narrative, leaving audiences with an indefinable unease and myriad possibilities about the fate of the girls. This sense of ambiguity, coupled with Gheorghe Zamfir’s emotionally charged pan-flute soundtrack, amplifies the film's ethereal atmosphere.

Despite these attributes, "Picnic at Hanging Rock" is not without its flaws. The narrative’s momentum falters after the girls’ disappearance, resulting in a somewhat disjointed second half. Character motivations remain elusive, and consequential events lack adequate exploration. However, it's this very ambiguity and narrative daring that cement the film's place in Criterion’s Collection. This Blu-ray release by Criterion not only presents the film with painstakingly restored visuals and audio but also supplements it with an array of insightful features, enriching both existing fans and new viewers’ understanding of this enigmatic cinematic gem.

Peter Weir's "Picnic at Hanging Rock" arrives late to Blu-ray in the U.S., but the wait has proven worthwhile thanks to Criterion's exceptional technical presentation. This hauntingly beautiful film, often hailed as the most influential Australian film ever made, is presented in its Director's Cut. This version is slightly shorter than the original theatrical release but retains all its enigmatic and atmospheric charm. The package is supplemented with a strong selection of special features, including both new and archival material that offer in-depth insights into the film's creation and impact.

The Blu-ray packaging itself is noteworthy, featuring an attractive and sturdy case that houses the three-disc release, as well as a paperback edition of Joan Lindsay's novel, which had been out of print in the U.S. The video quality is impressive, showcasing Weir's meticulous direction and capturing the ethereal beauty of the Australian landscape with stunning clarity. However, the front-heavy audio mix leaves something to be desired, as it tends to limit the overall sound experience.

In conclusion, "Picnic at Hanging Rock" on Blu-ray by Criterion is a highly recommended release for fans and collectors alike. Whether or not this meditative and beautifully directed film is one you'll revisit frequently remains subjective, but its significance to the medium is unmistakable. The combination of excellent video quality, comprehensive special features, and the inclusion of the much-sought novel makes this release a must-have for any serious film enthusiast.