History Film / PicnicAtHangingRock

* OneNameOnly: All other major characters have surnames, but Miranda's is noticeably avoided in the book.

* CulturalCringe: The whole point of the boarding school is to train the girls to behave like proper ''English'' ladies.

* RedOniBlueOni: Michael (Blue) is young but still full of BritishStuffiness. His Australian valet Arthur (Red) is a quintessentially unrefined [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrikin larrikin]].

Originally a novel by Joan Lindsay, published in 1967, and adapted into a classic Australian mystery/drama film, released in 1975 and directed by Creator/PeterWeir.

''Picnic at Hanging Rock'' tells the story of an ill-fated outing undertaken by Australian girls enrolled at an exclusive finishing school. The students of Appleyard College are permitted to spend Valentine's Day at Hanging Rock, collecting information for an essay to be written upon their return. After being granted permission by their French mistress, four girls -- Miranda, Marion, Irma and Edith -- set off to explore the upper slopes of the rock. Wandering through the maze-like tunnels, Edith discovers that the others appear to have fallen into a trance; the trio have, as one, removed their shoes and stockings, and proceed to drift into another narrow passage. Fearful, Edith runs back to get help. Mathematics teacher Miss [=McCraw=] heads up to fetch them, however, teacher and students disappear without a trace.

The film features visually hypnotic photography by Oscar winner Russel Boyd and a haunting score by Bruce Smeaton, and established Weir as a major international talent.

* NeverFoundTheBody: The three girls and the teacher who disappeared at the rock are never found.

%%* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Miranda and Mlle. de Poitiers.

In 2018 a miniseries adaptation of the book was released, starring Creator/NatalieDormer as Mrs. Appleyard.

!!Examples specific to the miniseries:

* AmbiguouslyEvil: Mrs. Appleyard is out for herself above all, but how much empathy she has for others is confusing.
** The teachers are all women who would be otherwise unemployable due to scandalous backgrounds or limited intelligence. Is this because she wants them to be beholden to her, or because she sympathises with their situations? [[spoiler: Or is she afraid to hire anyone too respectable, who might see through her disguise?]]
** Does she try to protect Miranda to save her reputation and future, or the school's, or both? Does she try to break her spirit for the same reason? Does she care about the missing girls, or only about the scandal they caused her?
** She bonds with Sara over her time in the orphanage, and then beats her. [[spoiler: And might have killed her. Accidentally. Or not.]]
** She [[spoiler: stole her fortune from Arthur, but didn't intend to kill him.]]
* ArcWords: "Free"
* AttemptedRape: Miranda defends herself from one. Painfully.
* BiTheWay: [[spoiler: Irma shows attraction to both Miranda and Michael.]]
* ConArtist: From the very beginning it is made clear to the viewer that Hester Appleyard is not the honorable widow she pretends to be, though her past takes some time to be unraveled. [[spoiler: While we see her as a lower-class orphan raised into some kind of thief, it's not entirely clear all the parts she played in scams, or the exact nature of her relationship with Arthur.]]
* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler: Possibly Sara, though her fate is unclear. Hester, on the other hand, very clearly jumped to her death.]]
* FakeAristocrat: Irma, as the one student who ''actually'' comes from high society, can easily tell that [[spoiler: Mrs. Appleyard]] does not, due to her failure to follow precise dinner protocols.
* HalfBreedDiscrimination: Marion is the illegitimate daughter of a white judge and an aboriginal woman.
* [[ImpaledPalm Impaled Foot]]: Miranda drives a pitchfork through the foot of the man who tried to take advantage of her.
* JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope: Mrs. Appleyard walks an ambiguous line until [[spoiler: you begin to realise she's lying about Sara's disappearance.]]
* LineOfSightName: [[spoiler: "Mrs Appleyard" was the mascot of a brand of soap.]]
* PalmBloodletting: Appears twice in important scenes of bonding among the main trio. First, Miranda's hands are caned until they bleed, and the other girls soothe her. [[spoiler: Later, there's a scene where all three slice their palms with rose thorns in order to swear a BloodOath.]]
* [[ParentalIncest Step-Parental Incest]]: [[spoiler: Irma's stepfather made some sort of advances on her, which is why her mother sent her away.]]
* NoPeriodsPeriod: Averted, Edith's first period (and her limited understanding of the subject) is responsible for her being out of sorts on the day of the picnic.
* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: Every major character at Appleyard College is a misfit unwanted by their families or society in general.
* TheReveal: What was inside the little box that Sara stole from Mrs. Appleyard, which made her so upset? [[spoiler: It wasn't what was inside it at all, it was the box itself.]]
* SanitySlippage: Mrs. Appleyard is plagued by visions of her dead husband Arthur [[spoiler: (although she didn't actually know he was dead at the time)]] and later, maggots [[spoiler: after Sara's death]].
* SelfHarm: Sara's legs are covered with self-inflicted scratches. [[spoiler: She may have killed herself, in the end, though it's never clear, and slightly more likely that Hester knocked her out the window, accidentally or otherwise.]]
* TeacherStudentRomance: Between [[spoiler: Marion and Miss [=McCraw=]]].
* VomitIndiscretionShot: The series likes to throw some shock imagery, including the vomiting of Miranda's attempted assailant and a close-up view of [[spoiler: the man defecating on the school carpet in revenge]].

* SanitySlippage: Mrs. Appleyard is plagued by [[{Hallucinations}} visions]] of her dead husband Arthur [[spoiler: (although she didn't actually know he was dead at the time)]] and later, maggots [[spoiler: after Sara's death]].

** Does she try to protect Miranda to save her reputation and future, or the school's, or both? Does she try to break her spirit for the same reason?

* TeacherStudentRomance: Between [[spoiler: Marion and Miss =McCraw=]].

A classic Australian mystery/drama film, released in 1975 and directed by Creator/PeterWeir.

Set in 1900 and based on the novel by Joan Lindsay, ''Picnic at Hanging Rock'' tells the story of an ill-fated outing undertaken by Australian girls enrolled at an exclusive finishing school. The students of Appleyard College are permitted to spend Valentine's Day at Hanging Rock, collecting information for an essay to be written upon their return. After being granted permission by their French mistress, four girls -- Miranda, Marion, Irma and Edith -- set off to explore the upper slopes of the rock. Wandering through the maze-like tunnels, Edith discovers that the others appear to have fallen into a trance; the trio have, as one, removed their shoes and stockings, and proceed to drift into another narrow passage. Fearful, Edith runs back to get help. Mathematics teacher Miss [=McCraw=] heads up to fetch them, however, teacher and students disappear without a trace.

!!This film provides examples of:

* BuryYourGays: Sara, who clearly was in love with beautiful Miranda, flings herself out a window of the college.

* DanBrowned: Supposed quotations from the "actual" police reports of the time are referenced in the novel, which went unquestioned by many readers.

** YMMV: Edith has a whiny, non-adventurous personality and is less smart than the other girls, which may have more to do with the Rock's rejection of her than her appearance.

* HaveAGayOldTime: In the book, Miranda's AffectionateNickname for Sara is "Pussy".

* KarmicDeath: [[spoiler: Mrs. Appleyard and, in the novel, Miss Lumley.]]

* MaybeMagicMaybeMundane: In the book, odd things happen with time during the picnic. No one's watch works correctly. Things take longer than they should or happen much more quickly than seems possible. None of it is so far out there that it is unrealistic, but it is just weird enough for the audience to consider the possibility that the supernatural may have been involved in the girls' disappearance. [[spoiler: This is pushed firmly into supernatural territory by ''The Secret of Hanging Rock'', as summarized [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_of_Hanging_Rock here]].]]
* MindScrewdriver: Twenty years after the original novel was published, a bonus chapter explaining what happened to the disappeared women was released. [[spoiler:Turns out they turned into lizards and disappeared into a timewarp leading into the Rock.]]

* OneNameOnly: All other major characters have surnames, but Miranda's is noticeably avoided in the book. The film uses "Miranda St Clare" on her [[FaceOnAMilkCarton MISSING poster]].

* OutOfCharacterAlert: In the book, Mlle de Poitiers realises Sara is in danger because she never would have left Miranda's portrait behind.

* RevisedEnding: The novel's final chapter was deleted, then published separately in 1987 as ''The Secret of Hanging Rock''.

* TheUnsolvedMystery: We never learn how or why the girls vanished. The novel did have a chapter that explained it but the publishers decided to keep it a mystery in most editions.

* WhereAreTheyNow: [[spoiler:The last chapter of the novel mentions that the Appleyard college the house is based in burned down a year after the events of Hanging Rock. Michael has settled down in a property of his own in North Queensland. Edith died in Melbourne few years after leaving the college, while Irma is living in Europe and married to a French count. Albert, Mme De Poitiers and Mr. Whitehead will live a long life.]]

Set in 1900 and based on the novel by Joan Lindsay, ''Picnic at Hanging Rock'' tells the story of an ill-fated outing undertaken by Australian girls enrolled at an exclusive finishing school. The students of Appleyard College are permitted to spend Valentine's Day at Hanging Rock, collecting information for an essay to be written upon their return. After being granted permission by their French mistress, four girls -- Miranda, Marion, Irma and Edith -- set off to explore the upper slopes of the rock. Wandering through the maze-like tunnels, Edith discovers that the others appear to have fallen into a trance; the trio have, as one, removed their shoes and stockings, and proceed to drift into another narrow passage. Fearful, Edith runs back to get help. Mathematics teacher Miss [=McCraw=] heads up to fetch them, H
however, teacher and students disappear without a trace.

Set in 1900 and based on the novel by Joan Lindsay, ''Picnic at Hanging Rock'' tells the story of an ill-fated outing undertaken by Australian schoolgirls enrolled at an exclusive finishing school. Students of Appleyard College are permitted to spend Valentine's Day at Hanging Rock, collecting information for an essay to be written upon their return. After being granted permission by their French mistress, four girls - Miranda, Marion, Irma and Edith - set off to explore the upper slopes of the rock. Wandering through the maze-like tunnels, Edith discovers that the others appear to have fallen into a trance; the trio have, as one, removed their shoes and stockings, and proceed to drift into another narrow passage. Fearful, Edith runs back to get help. Mathematics teacher Miss [=McCraw=] heads up to fetch them, H

Set in 1900 and based on the novel by Joan Lindsay, ''Picnic at Hanging Rock'' tells the story of an ill-fated outing undertaken by Australian schoolgirls enrolled at an exclusive finishing school. Students of Appleyard College are permitted to spend Valentine's Day at Hanging Rock, collecting information for an essay to be written upon their return. After being granted permission by their French mistress, Miranda, Marion, Irma and Edith set off to explore the upper slopes of the rock. Wandering through the maze-like tunnels, Edith discovers that the others appear to have fallen into a trance; the trio have, as one, removed their shoes and stockings, and proceed to drift into another narrow passage. Fearful, Edith runs back to get help. Mathematics teacher Miss [=McCraw=] heads up to fetch them, H

Set in 1900 and based on the novel by Joan Lindsay, ''Picnic at Hanging Rock'' tells the story of an ill-fated outing undertaken by Australian schoolgirls enrolled at an exclusive finishing school. Students of Appleyard College are permitted to spend Valentine's Day at Hanging Rock, collecting information for an essay to be written upon their return. After being granted permission by their French mistress, Miranda, Marion, Irma and Edith set off to explore the upper slopes of the rock. Wandering through the maze-like tunnels, Edith discovers that the others appear to have fallen into a trance; the trio have, as one, removed their shoes and stockings, and proceed to drift into another narrow passage. Fearful, Edith runs back to fetch help, Mathematics mistress Miss [=McCraw=] heading up to fetch them. However, teacher and students disappear without a trace.

* RomanticTwoGirlFriendship: The film opens with the schoolgirls exchanging passionate valentines. Sara has a very obvious crush on Miranda.

* LongLostSibling: Sara and Albert. They both come from the Ballarat orphanage, but Albert aged out of the system and Sara (almost 10 years younger than yer brother) was eventually adopted by a rich man.

* MindScrewdriver: Twenty years after the original novel was published, a bonus chapter explaining what happened to the disappeared women was released. [[spoiler:Turns out they turned into animals and disappeared into the Rock.]]

* WhereAreTheyNow: [[spoiler: The last chapter of the novel mentions that the Appleyard college the house is burned down an year after the events of Hanging Rock. Michael has settled down in a property ofhis own in North Queensland. Edith died in Melbourne few years after leaving the college, while Irma is living in Europe and married a French count. Albert, Mme De Poitiers and Mr. Whitehead will live a long life.]]

* AllLoveIsUnrequited: Sara to Miranda, Irma to both Mlle. de Poitiers and Michael, Albert to Irma, and Michael to Miranda. Mlle. de Poitiers and her fiance, and Tom and Minnie end up with the ones they love.

%%* MindScrewdriver
%%* MissingWhiteWomanSyndrome

%%* NotSoStoic: Mrs. Appleyard sets an example of perfect self-control, until she doesn't.

%%* OrphansOrdeal: Sara.

* RescueRomance: Most of people in town assume that is what's going on between [[spoiler: Michael and Irma, but since he was really looking for Miranda instead, it doesn't pan out.]]

%%* SuicideIsPainless: [[spoiler: Sara walks a fine line between this and DrivenToSuicide.]]

%%* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth: One theory regarding the reason some people disappeared and some didn't. %% (What distinguishes the people that disappeared from those that didn't?)

%%* VillainousBreakdown: Keep your eye on Mrs. Appleyard's drinking habits, along with her hair.

%%* DownerEnding: Besides Miss [=McCraw=], Marion, and Miranda vanishing forever, there's more.

%%* DrivenToSuicide: [[spoiler: Sarah.]] And eventually [[spoiler: Miss Appleyard becomes an implied one.]]
%%* TheDulcineaEffect: Miranda to Michael.

%%* LoveAtFirstSight: Michael falls for Miranda immediately.

** In the deleted scenes from the ending [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hChZEMQXFg the ghost of Sara appears]] - she could be a vengeful spirit or Mrs Appleyard's hallucination.

* ReCut: Weir's director's cut removes a few scenes. (Sadly, ''only'' the director's cut is available in America, one of the few times TheCriterionCollection has really dropped the ball. Many viewers find the original theatrical cut to be superior. There is a UK DVD available with both versions of the film.)

* NeverFoundTheBody: The two girls and the teacher who disappeared at the rock are never found.

A classic Australian mystery/drama film, released in 1975 and directed by Peter Weir.

The film features visually hypnotic photography by Oscar winner Russel Boyd and a haunting score by Bruce Smeaton, and established Weir as a major International talent.

[[quoteright:310:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/17596172_1839.jpg]]