I've enjoyed highlighting and remembering all the Australian classics I've read over the years in preparation for November's AusReading Month.And Flashback Friday has been a great motivator to get me to do one a week at least - thanks Lisa.
This weeks FF needs no introduction...well not in Australia anyway.
Not only is Picnic At Hanging Rock a popular classic book from the 60's it is also an iconic Australian movie from the 70's.
In the 80's a resurgence of interest occurred when the 'secret' final chapter was published for the first time.
Lindsay created a story set at the turn of the previous century with a distinct true crime feel.
The day was Valentine's Day - a hot summer's day - and a group of school girls and their teachers went for a picnic to Hanging Rock in Victoria.
A number of the girls disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
The ending is deliberately ambiguous and has been highly debated over the years.
However in 1987, for those of us who had come of age with the book believing that it might have been based on real events, we were shocked to discover that there had been a chapter cut from the original book at the publishers request.
Lindsay had died in 1984, and the story went around that she refused to allow the final chapter to be published until after her death.
I personally was devastated to find out that the whole story was pure fiction from start to finish.
The final chapter revealed a time warp, supernatural ending that was far less satisfying than the ambiguity of old. The success of both book and movie hinged on the possibilities of truth, mystery & suspense.
The 1975 movie was directed by Peter Weir. It was beautifully shot, the tension and drama were exquisitely crafted and it starred a who's who of Australian tv and theatre at the time. The pan-pipe music is still haunting and evocative even if the acting looks & sounds a little dated.
It is now possible to view the movie each Valentine's Day in the picnic grounds at the base of Hanging Rock. Naturally, it is screened after twilight!
If you'd like see a few pics of the real Hanging Rock click here to go to my other blog, Four Seasons. We had a family holiday there in 2007.
This is such a spooky classic - I haven't read the 'new' chapter yet (and maybe I shouldn't!).
ReplyDeleteI read the final chapter when it came out, but hated losing the sense of mystery! I've managed to banish its contents from my memory bank :-)
DeleteI saw the movie years ago, but I haven't read the book. It would be incredible to see the movie at the actual rock.
ReplyDeleteI visited the rock a few years ago - it was amazing, but didn't see the movie as we were there in broad daylight !
DeleteI was going to school in Australia at the time when all the controversy over the final chapter was in the media, but I hadn't read the book and didn't really understand why readers were upset (actually, I still haven't read the book!). I remember the movie was shown at school so students could relate to what everyone was talking about. The movie really is beautiful and the mystery so intriguing!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how well the movie has held up over the years. The image of the girls disappearing through the rocks is burnt onto all our psyches!
DeleteI've never heard of this title, will have to check it out! It sounds very interesting :)
ReplyDeleteMy Friday Book Memes
I'm so glad to have recently read this one. I'd love to go to see the rock someday. And I must rewatch the movie, I haven't seen it since the 70s.
ReplyDeleteI'm relieved to tell you that I just finished Picnic at Hanging Rock...and really enjoyed it. It was a reread, and I didn't like it the first time. I was dreading telling you I didn't like it, but crisis averted, it was MUCH better this time around. Whew! No you won't disavow me! :)
ReplyDeletePhew! I'm glad we can still be blogging buddies!
Delete