Picnic At Hanging Rock: The Director's Cut

[KENTA]

Originally Posted by Alkaline

It's in a standard case; no slip and no booklet. Also the case is "U.S. style" slimmer BD case rather than the thicker standard UK case.

Did your copy arrive looking like a used blu-ray, too?
It wasn't wrapped in plastic which I find extremely odd.

[Alkaline]

Originally Posted by KENTA

Did your copy arrive looking like a used blu-ray, too?
It wasn't wrapped in plastic which I find extremely odd.

Mine did, actually. Every now and again I will receive BDs/dvds I've ordered "new" from Amazon.uk without plastic and with clear signs of handling. In the case of Picnic there were a few minor scuffs on the case (resembling shelf wear) but the disc was pristine, with one or two fingerprints on the edges maybe. UK distributors/retailers seem to have policies on this that differ from the States. There's seemingly no rhyme or reason to it; i.e. there's no one distributor I've noticed always lacks wrapping, etc.

[Moviefan1203]

Which Blu-ray release is better the UK or Australian? Or are they the same?

[Alkaline]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Which Blu-ray release is better the UK or Australian? Or are they the same?

UK has all the Aus extras, plus a few more interviews. They seem to use the same transfer. Both have lossless audio. UK also has english subs. Both are good but the UK offers the (slighty) more complete package.

[Mrs Incredible]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

Well, I finally bought this blu-ray. I've never seen the film before and I'm glad I did. I like this Australian classic more than Walkabout.

Picnic Hanging Rock is a great Australian film! This is one of the best films about symbolism regarding loss of innocence, sex, and relationships. If I ever taught English or film or psychology, I would love to have a class study this film, as well as The Holy Mountain. Both films are actually simple and full of interesting symbolism to a point where it's not pretentious. There is nothing that mysterious about this "mystery film." The surface story or the "case not getting solved" doesn't matter - it's what's behind the story that counts.

What I like about Picnic at Hanging Rock, as well as The Holy Mountain, is that they both don't sacrifice the entertainment factor in order to be arty or symbolic.

The movie may feel a little long, but it's not a slow film. The way it's filmed is actually very exciting, especially with the great musical score. And a whole slew of attractive actresses doesn't hurt as well!

The blu-ray is perfect. I wish that all old movies could get such good blu-ray releases as this one.

Have you picked up My Brilliant Career? It is a very nice region free transfer from the US. Right up there along with PAHR as a couple of my fave Aussie films.

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by Alkaline

UK has all the Aus extras, plus a few more interviews. They seem to use the same transfer. Both have lossless audio. UK also has english subs. Both are good but the UK offers the (slighty) more complete package.

Thanks man.

[rezpekt]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Which Blu-ray release is better the UK or Australian? Or are they the same?

UK: better artwork, more extras and probably cheaper.

[RYJAPE21]

Any Region-Free versions of this film?

[Adam_ME]

Originally Posted by Alkaline

Mine did, actually. Every now and again I will receive BDs/dvds I've ordered "new" from Amazon.uk without plastic and with clear signs of handling. In the case of Picnic there were a few minor scuffs on the case (resembling shelf wear) but the disc was pristine, with one or two fingerprints on the edges maybe. UK distributors/retailers seem to have policies on this that differ from the States. There's seemingly no rhyme or reason to it; i.e. there's no one distributor I've noticed always lacks wrapping, etc.

I got mine yesterday from Amazon UK and it was unsealed. That's happened twice with them. The other time was when I ordered Olivier's Hamlet on Blu-ray.

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by Adam_ME

I got mine yesterday from Amazon UK and it was unsealed. That's happened twice with them. The other time was when I ordered Olivier's Hamlet on Blu-ray.

Adam - you may have noticed "that" user has been banned (for completely frivolous reasons might I add) but "I" will be glad to reply to ya. Yeah, as I mentioned I've received quite a few unsealed dvds/bds from amazon uk, and at this point I don't really think twice about it. As long as the actual discs show no signs of wear or mishandling, which has been the case so far, I'm happy.

[No1Mugster]

Not Amazon's fault, got mine from Play.com and it was not sealed.

[Adam_ME]

Originally Posted by Bad Sandwich

Adam - you may have noticed "that" user has been banned (for completely frivolous reasons might I add) but "I" will be glad to reply to ya. Yeah, as I mentioned I've received quite a few unsealed dvds/bds from amazon uk, and at this point I don't really think twice about it. As long as the actual discs show no signs of wear or mishandling, which has been the case so far, I'm happy.

Yeah, I'm ok with it too. It's not like I'm gonna go through the trouble of returning the disc to the UK(especially these days with Royal Mail's issues). But I do find it odd that a "new" Blu-ray is unsealed.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Adam_ME

Yeah, I'm ok with it too. It's not like I'm gonna go through the trouble of returning the disc to the UK(especially these days with Royal Mail's issues). But I do find it odd that a "new" Blu-ray is unsealed.

The practice has been around for many years. Way back in 1999 the overwhelming majority of the discs the from the now defunct UK vendor Bensonsworld.co.uk would arrived without shrinkwrap. With other words, it is not Amazon's fault, this is simply how a lot of distributors ship their product to Amazon's warehouse.

Again, the practice has been around for well over 10+ years.

Pro-B

[kashif]

Originally Posted by joie

My copy arrived without cellophane, too, from Amazon.uk. The disc looked new and the case wasn't scratched.

As far as picture quality goes, there is fading along the right edge, which is noticeable in dark scenes. A fogged negative?

There is a cut (about 7:00 (?)) where the girls are inside, then go outside. At that cut, there is some audio and video instability.

It would be preferable to have both the theatrical and director's cuts, because the theatrical release is what got written about and talked about.

The aspect ratio should be 1.85:1 instead of 1.78:1.

All in all, it's a good movie to see. I wasn't disappointed.

As far as the movie's "mystery" goes:

[Show spoiler]If the movie were based on a true story, then the girls were never found because the search wasn't exhaustive. That it is fiction makes poor storytelling a possibility.

Is this movie worth a blind buy?

[Templar]

Originally Posted by kashif

Is this movie worth a blind buy?

Yes, very much so. Brilliant movie that will be worth your time.

[kashif]

Originally Posted by Templar

Yes, very much so. Brilliant movie that will be worth your time.

Thanks

[nuttyhotspurs]

ive just recieved this from Amazon UK and mine was also unsealed in a Slimmer case. Im guessing all UK releases were in this type of case?

[malcy30]

Originally Posted by nuttyhotspurs

ive just recieved this from Amazon UK and mine was also unsealed in a Slimmer case. Im guessing all UK releases were in this type of case?

Yes same with mine bought on release.
Some companies in the UK like Second Sight, Acorn Media and ITV routinely don't seal their DVDs and BDs. is nothing to be suspicious of. Presume it saves them a few pence at manufacture.

[beadelf]

Ive never seen this film and interested in it.

what do people think of it? is it worth purchasing as a blind buy?

I also see it removes 8 mins from the theatrical cut. is that a good or a bad thing

[nuttyhotspurs]

Originally Posted by malcy30

Yes same with mine bought on release.
Some companies in the UK like Second Sight, Acorn Media and ITV routinely don't seal their DVDs and BDs. is nothing to be suspicious of. Presume it saves them a few pence at manufacture.

was yours in a slimmer case aswell?