Picnic at Hanging Rock

On Valentine's Day in 1900, students at an Australian girls' boarding school set out for a picnic at Hanging Rock, a striking volcanic rock formation. After venturing away from the group, several girls and one of their teachers vanish; searches turn up no explanation. Peter Weir directed the film, which was adapted by screenwriter Cliff Green from Joan Lindsay's novel. It was Weir's second feature, following The Cars That Ate Paris in 1974 and preceding The Plumber in 1979.

The cast includes Rachel Roberts as the school's headmistress, Vivean Gray as a teacher, Helen Morse as a French mistress, Kirsty Child, Tony Llewellyn-Jones and Jacki Weaver. The film runs 107 minutes and was produced in Australia by companies including the South Australian Film Corporation and the Australian Film Commission, with Hal McElroy and Jim McElroy as producers. It belongs to the drama and mystery genres.

On IMDb it holds a 7.4 rating from around 45,000 votes, while on TMDB it stands at 7.2 from roughly 900 votes. A critics' rating of 8.5 from 54 reviews places it above both audience scores. The contrast suggests a film that reviewers have long regarded more warmly than the broader viewing public, though audience approval remains solid.