Still hanging on

by RICHARD JONES

ALTHOUGH many filmgoers mistakenly believe it's based on a true story, iconic Australian movie 'Picnic At Hanging Rock' is actually based on the 1967 Joan Lindsay novel.

Lovers of the 1975 Peter Weir classic, ethereally filmed on location at the Rock north of Melbourne, can catch screenings at arthouse cinemas across the nation from time to time.

'Picnic At Hanging Rock' cinematographer Russell Boyd won the 1975 BAFTA award for his work on the film which depicts how three schoolgirls and a teacher mysteriously disappear during a picnic excursion at the Rock.

It's St Valentine's Day in 1900 and the bushland setting hums in the heat of a central Victorian summer.

Miranda (Ann-Louise Lambert) and three friends set off on a walk after lunch. One friend Edith (Christine Schuler) returns, distraught that the others have gone off, climbing higher up the ridges after they had all enjoyed a cat-nap in the sun.

Perhaps spooked by the Rock's ambience or maybe expecting the worst experienced science teacher Miss McCraw (Vivean Gray) races off as well.

Rachel Roberts turns in an outstanding role as the financially and morally beleaguered private school headmistress Mrs Appleyard. Roberts took the role on short notice at Weir's urging when actress Vivien Merchant was unavailable.

French teacher Mademoiselle de Poitiers (Helen Morse) offers solace to her pupils and a brief explanation to Mrs Appleyard about the day's events when the depleted party eventually returns to the school.

And soak up the talent of long-time Australian actor John Jarratt. He's local Woodend lad Albert Crundall who undertakes two thorough searches of the Rock himself.

You have to pinch yourself to realise that 30 years on Jarratt plays the slasher in one of the latest movies set in the outback, Wolf Creek.

Another iconic Australian film is the Paul Cox classic, 'Lonely Hearts'.

It tells the story of 55-year-old suburban piano tuner Peter (Norman Kaye) and 30-year-old dowdy office clerk Patricia (Wendy Hughes).

They meet through a dating agency and Cox charts their awkward love affair through many twists and turns.

The film was shot in Melbourne and also features Julia Blake and Chris Haywood in supporting roles. Film and media aficionado Philip Adams was the executive producer of 'Lonely Hearts'.

4 October 2006

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