Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)

[iamnoone]

So what was that non-US release that included the superior uncut theatrical version? I always held off buying it thinking Criterion would finally do it right on blu here in the US, but now that I know they're not doing it right, I'd like to hunt down that foreign release. Was it the UK 3-DVD set that's available on amazon.co.uk? And I assume the theatrical version hasn't seen a Blu release anywhere? I'll still buy the Criterion Blu as I love this film, but I will do it during the B&N 50% off sale as I can't fathom spending more than that on this edited version.

[MechaGodzilla]

Out of curiosity, what about the theatrical version is it that makes it superior to those of you that prefer it? I'm not disagreeing, I've only seen the shorter director's cut myself so I'm genuinely curious. Want to know if I'm missing out.

[kuro_sawa]

Originally Posted by iamnoone

So what was that non-US release that included the superior uncut theatrical version? I always held off buying it thinking Criterion would finally do it right on blu here in the US, but now that I know they're not doing it right, I'd like to hunt down that foreign release. Was it the UK 3-DVD set that's available on amazon.co.uk? And I assume the theatrical version hasn't seen a Blu release anywhere? I'll still buy the Criterion Blu as I love this film, but I will do it during the B&N 50% off sale as I can't fathom spending more than that on this edited version.

The UK region B blu ray would be hard for criterion to top, other than including the theatrical cut as well or seamless branching. I do not know if their DVD was the theatrical cut as I didn't own it, but the Criterion bd release seems to be director approved only while the uk blu ray is the director approved cut with snuck in bits as extras I guess. The theatrical cut is there but through the menu in the deleted scenes.

[Scoot79]

Originally Posted by iamnoone

So what was that non-US release that included the superior uncut theatrical version? I always held off buying it thinking Criterion would finally do it right on blu here in the US, but now that I know they're not doing it right, I'd like to hunt down that foreign release. Was it the UK 3-DVD set that's available on amazon.co.uk? And I assume the theatrical version hasn't seen a Blu release anywhere? I'll still buy the Criterion Blu as I love this film, but I will do it during the B&N 50% off sale as I can't fathom spending more than that on this edited version.

Yes, it's my understanding that only the 3 disc UK DVD includes the original 114 minute theatrical cut from 1975. Strangely enough, the UK Blu-ray includes those seven minutes of deleted footage only in the extras section, separate from the film itself. Unfortunately, the Aussie Blu-ray doesn't include those seven minutes in any capacity.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by Scoot79

Yes, it's my understanding that only the 3 disc UK DVD includes the original 114 minute theatrical cut from 1975. Strangely enough, the UK Blu-ray includes those seven minutes of deleted footage only in the extras section, separate from the film itself. Unfortunately, the Aussie Blu-ray doesn't include those seven minutes in any capacity.

Thanks! Off to buy that UK DVD-set version now! Although I'd prefer Blu, I'd much rather have the movie intact instead of the cut scenes included as extras. Not sure why Weir seems to be so adamant about his revision. This is not Star Wars with billions of fans so why does he think he has to retool it for the masses? Even if he changes his mind about his work, let the original version live on. I'm sure Criterion wanted to do this right, but their hands were most likely tied by Weir's demands.

[Scoot79]

Originally Posted by iamnoone

Thanks! Off to buy that UK DVD-set version now! Although I'd prefer Blu, I'd much rather have the movie intact instead of the cut scenes included as extras. Not sure why Weir seems to be so adamant about his revision. This is not Star Wars with billions of fans so why does he think he has to retool it for the masses? Even if he changes his mind about his work, let the original version live on. I'm sure Criterion wanted to do this right, but their hands were most likely tied by Weir's demands.

I think you're right. Unfortunately for me, I'm not able to play region locked discs or PAL DVDs, so the UK releases are not an option for me. At least the Aussie BD has the Dream within a Dream documentary. For having to wait 16 years for a decent release in the US (since the non-anamorphic DVD was released in 1998) this upcoming release from Criterion sure seems like a missed opportunity in the extras department.

• No 114 minute theatrical cut
• No separate deleted scenes
• No Dream within a Dream documentary
• No commentary track with Peter Weir

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by Scoot79

Yes, it's my understanding that only the 3 disc UK DVD includes the original 114 minute theatrical cut from 1975. Strangely enough, the UK Blu-ray includes those seven minutes of deleted footage only in the extras section, separate from the film itself. Unfortunately, the Aussie Blu-ray doesn't include those seven minutes in any capacity.

I'm guessing this is because the extra scenes were only available in SD. Currently, on this page the Criterion is listed as the extended cut (115 min), while all the other blu ray releases are 107 mins. Also, someone asked if the Criterion DVD was the theatrical cut. It wasn't.

The UK release will be tough to beat. It has everything, other than the theatrical cut. The video and audio quality appear to be superb and it has a high bit rate. I know the Criterion will be the same. But the list of extras on the UK to me is more impressive than the Criterion so I will be getting the UK release.

This German 1 x BD & 3 x DVD release seems to have the theatrical cut as well on a DVD:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Picni...Blu-ray/44544/

It also has all the extras from the UK. But I doubt that the blu ray is as good as the UK because the German is single layered, and it doesn't have English subtitles.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

Out of curiosity, what about the theatrical version is it that makes it superior to those of you that prefer it? I'm not disagreeing, I've only seen the shorter director's cut myself so I'm genuinely curious. Want to know if I'm missing out.

It's just several character bits that make the film as good as it was. Maybe not critical, but they are not superfluous either, making their deletion sort of mind boggling. The scenes belong in the film and make it the classic it was when first released. In any event, if you only know the edited cut, you won't know the difference anyway and it's still a great film regardless.

[iamnoone]

Originally Posted by I KEEL YOU

The UK release will be tough to beat. It has everything, other than the theatrical cut. The video and audio quality appear to be superb and it has a high bit rate. I know the Criterion will be the same. But the list of extras on the UK to me is more impressive than the Criterion so I will be getting the UK release.

But if I get the 3-disc DVD release from the UK, and also the Criterion Blu, that will be the best of both worlds, right? The original uncut version on DVD and all the excellent extras from the UK, and then the Criterion Blu version of the shorter cut of the film.

[ravenus]

^ Unless you're region locked you're probably wasting money on the Criterion release. I got the UK Second Sight BD some years ago (for some 8 GBP) and ALSO kept the theatrical cut from their 3-DVD edition. But that's really more for completist purposes, I prefer Weir's leaner director's cut, it is truer to the mystical air that permeates the film once the titular rock is reached. The UK BD kicks the pants off the suggested specs for the Criterion release. Dream Within A Dream was one of the best retrospectives made, featuring insightful and anecdote-laden interviews with most of the principal crew and cast (including the ever-lovely Anne-Louise Lambert aka Miranda).

[thebard]

Originally Posted by iamnoone

But if I get the 3-disc DVD release from the UK, and also the Criterion Blu, that will be the best of both worlds, right? The original uncut version on DVD and all the excellent extras from the UK, and then the Criterion Blu version of the shorter cut of the film.

Originally Posted by ravenus

^ Unless you're region locked you're probably wasting money on the Criterion release. I got the UK Second Sight BD some years ago (for some 8 GBP) and ALSO kept the theatrical cut from their 3-DVD edition. But that's really more for completist purposes, I prefer Weir's leaner director's cut, it is truer to the mystical air that permeates the film once the titular rock is reached. The UK BD kicks the pants off the suggested specs for the Criterion release. Dream Within A Dream was one of the best retrospectives made, featuring insightful and anecdote-laden interviews with most of the principal crew and cast (including the ever-lovely Anne-Louise Lambert aka Miranda).

I'll probably go one of these routes. I've already ordered the 3-disc dvd; about $20 USD shipped.

[DarknessBDJM]

Already own it twice over (Australian blu-ray and German Peter Weir blu-ray boxset). The a/v would have to be really good for me to get this. I prefer the director's cut (a greater sense of the unknown and mystery, and a bit more like a dream), but the deleted scenes as extras would have been appreciated.

[Alfredlynch]

Here is hoping for a blu-ray of The Last Wave, as well.

[wolffuncut]

Glad I have the UK BD inc 2hours "Dream Within A Dream" as Extra.
Sorry Criterion that but that´s low!

[benbess]

Originally Posted by Alfredlynch

Here is hoping for a blu-ray of The Last Wave, as well.

+1

I've loved both of these movies since I was a teenager. And I'm almost 50 now, and so that's a long time....

[dissention]

I'm curious as to what version of the novel will be included, the original release or the restored release from '87?

[sheri1983]

Never saw the movie, but i hear your admiration and think to own the criterion but in what category this movie horror or thriller or nonlinear?

[lolwut]

This is awesome news! Great atmospheric film.

I'm wondering if it can get much better than the 5-star UK package. That seems to have all you'd need. I have the UK disc but haven't popped it in.

[benbess]

Originally Posted by sheri1983

Never saw the movie, but i hear your admiration and think to own the criterion but in what category this movie horror or thriller or nonlinear?

Not horror.

More mystery, suspense and nonlinear....I think it's based on something similar that "really happened" in some way or another.

[I KEEL YOU]

Originally Posted by wolffuncut

Glad I have the UK BD inc 2hours "Dream Within A Dream" as Extra.
Sorry Criterion that but that´s low!

Maybe the fact that they left it out has something to do with their policy of presenting all extras in 1080i. And since this one was 1½ hours long, it would've taken a lot of space and they would've been forced to make it a 2 BD and maybe 3 DVD set instead of 1 BD and 2 DVD.