Is Picnic at Hanging Rock the best Australian movie?

Question

I think so. The storyline is so eerie and the actors are awesome.
i have seen also Dead Calm with a very young Nicole Kidman and Ballroom but among these Picnic is the best Aussie movie I've seen so far.
What do you think about?

Answer 1

I liked that movie a lot. The book was good too. There's always been some mystery surrounding "Picnic at Hanging Rock", like 'Was it a real story? Did it actually happen?'

If you haven't read the book I recommend it. Here's a link to its Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picnic_at_Hanging_Rock

Answer 2

Great movie. But I don't think it's the best. If I had to pick I'd go for Gallipoli.

If you like Aussie movies try Rabbit Proof Fence. It's nothing like the above but it's very good and deals with the whole aboriginal issue, like in Once Were Warriors.

Answer 3

If you liked Picnic at Hanging Rock, I think you'd like Nicolas Roeg's Walkabout, too ... and Peter Weir (Picnic) has made a lot of good movies.

"The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" is both hilarious and touching. I (oddball that I am) often quote a line from it: "I your wife, see?!" (See, this guy wakes up with a whopping hangover and a Phillipina firecracker is on the other side of the bed....)

Answer 4

You maybe just like Peter Weir (as you chose 2 of his films).

Australia has an active film industry and high quality film and acting schools. Why do you think so many Hollywood movies star Aussie actors....because they went to NIDA, The Nation Institute of Dramatic Arts.

As for movies, there are a large number of Australian movies that are worth considering, but Picnic at Hanging Rock is a unique and special movie that has a unique place in World Cinematic history. Though if you can check out some of the following.

1. The cars that ate Paris...Peter Weirs first movie. It is about a town that has only one industry, causing car crashes and using the crashed cars for spare parts.

2. Bliss...based on the book by the award winning Australian author. About a marketing executive that things he has died and gone to hell, but really he is just relooking at his life.

3. Babe....you might not realise it but, Australian Director, Australian Actors, filmed in Australia with Australian made special effect.

4. Shine....though I generally thought this movie was over rated.

5. Mad Max...because when the gangs take over the road, Mel Gibson will blame the jews for causing all the fuss. Actually it is one of the greatest low budget films ever made...but I am a fan of low budget film making. Plus Mad Max is actually an anti car film....made by a Doctor shocked at the number of injuries caused by wankers in fast cars. He went on to make Babe and Happy Feet...go figure.

6. The year my voice broke/Flirting....sensitive hearting warming realistic films about being a teenager in rural Australia...by the man who made Mad Max

7. The Proposition....The script is written by Nick Cave...and finally Australia does a western genre movie right and still makes it Australian.

8. My Brilliant Career....I have never seen it, my friends loved this movie and I loved the book. Sam Neil is in it.

9. Romper Stomper....Russel Crowe didn't need to act for this movie, they just painted on some neo-nazi tattoos and made fun of him until he looked very angry and started hitting other actors. This is a no holds barred look at neo-nazis...it is not pro neo nazi...but it not anti neo nazi. It made lots of people in Australia shave their heads....the bastards.

10. The Matrix...because as a former Sydney Sider I could play spot the locations in Sydney....I am sure it is the Sydney Freemason society building in the background as Morpheas talks to Neo in the Agent training program, and check out the Australian actors doing bad American accents.

There are a lot of bad Australia films...but a lot of quality as well. Even in Australia it is hard to get DVDs of most of them, but the good ones are worth checking out.

I don't think Picnic at Hanging Rock is that great, and having been to Hanging rock, none of us disappeared mysteriously. But it is a special movie with a unique place in cinema history.

Answer 5

It's fantastic, but don't overlook Baz Luhrmann. He's amazing!