Silent outtakes and unused material taken during the filming of Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975, directed by Peter Weir).

The clip includes scenes from the original ending showing Mrs Appleyard (Rachel Roberts), the principal of Appleyard College, climbing Hanging Rock, retracing the steps of the missing schoolgirls and encountering a vision of orphan Sara Waybourne (Margaret Nelson).

Excerpts are taken from reels of 35mm silent colour outtakes, trims of scenes and additional unused material acquired from Martin Sharp, who was credited on the film as 'Artistic Advisor to the Director’.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Silent outtakes and unused material taken during the filming of Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975, directed by Peter Weir).

The clip includes: Miranda (Anne Lambert) collecting flowers on the morning of the picnic; a schoolgirl at the window in a shot inspired by photographer David Hamilton; two schoolgirls applying rose petals as lipstick before the picnic; a melancholy Rosamund (Ingrid Mason) playing the piano after the schoolgirls’ disappearance while Sara (Margaret Nelson) watches; and Sara seated in the college grounds.

Excerpts are taken from reels of 35mm silent colour outtakes, trims of scenes and additional unused material acquired from Martin Sharp, who was credited on the film as 'Artistic Advisor to the Director’.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Silent outtakes and unused material taken during the filming of Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975, directed by Peter Weir).

The clip includes: Miranda (Anne Lambert), Edith (Christine Schuler), Marion (Jane Vallis) and Irma (Karen Robson) pausing while exploring Hanging Rock; two takes of the four schoolgirls circling a boulder; Irma sitting in an alcove as the other girls pass by; and two takes of Michael (Dominic Guard) gazing at Appleyard College, watched by Albert (John Jarratt) and Colonel and Mrs Fitzhubert (Peter Collingwood and Olga Dickie).

Excerpts are taken from reels of 35mm silent colour outtakes, trims of scenes and additional unused material acquired from Martin Sharp, who was credited on the film as 'Artistic Advisor to the Director’.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

The original 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' trailer which screened ahead of the film’s Australian cinema release in August 1975. It features narration by Sydney radio presenter John Laws.

On Valentine's Day 1900 a party of schoolgirls went on a picnic to Hanging Rock. Some were never to return... 

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Anne Louise Lambert, who played Miranda in Picnic at Hanging Rock, provided the NFSA with the following notes on her costume: 'The daisy pattern in the lace trim of the dress was Miranda’s favourite flower. The butterfly-buckle was selected because like her, their lives are beautiful and brief.’

Judith Dorsman was the chief costume designer for Picnic. She was only 26 years old at the time the film was released and collaborated with Wendy Stiles (director Peter Weir’s wife, working under her maiden name) with assistance from Mandy Smith. 

Click 'View More' below to see a 360-degree view of the costume.

Notes by Jenny Gall and Stephen Groenewegen

Helen Morse’s Mademoiselle Dianne de Poitiers, the French and Dancing mistress at Appleyard College, is a model of grace and elegance. She wears a high-throated Edwardian gown of cream silk, with a modest train. The bodice is decorated with a confection of lace, and the dress is perfectly matched at the picnic with parasol, straw boater and shoes.

Judith Dorsman was the chief costume designer for Picnic at Hanging Rock. She was only 26 years old at the time the film was released and collaborated with Wendy Stiles (director Peter Weir’s wife, working under her maiden name) with assistance from Mandy Smith. 

Helen Morse was nominated for Best Actress at the 1976 AFI Awards for her leading roles in Picnic at Hanging Rock and also Caddie, and won the award for the latter role. 

Click 'View More' below to see a 360-degree view of the costume.

Notes by Jenny Gall and Stephen Groenewegen

There is no pretty summer dress for orphan Sara, played by Margaret Nelson, who is forbidden from attending the picnic in Picnic at Hanging Rock. 

Sara’s costumes are plain and her hairstyles severe. The starched pinafore covers a practical school uniform skirt and blouse. The ensemble conveys no sense of the wearer’s body shape and is without personal touches or decoration.

Judith Dorsman was the chief costume designer for Picnic. She was only 26 years old at the time the film was released and collaborated with Wendy Stiles (director Peter Weir’s wife, working under her maiden name) with assistance from Mandy Smith. 

Click 'View More' below to see a 360-degree view of the costume.

Notes by Jenny Gall and Stephen Groenewegen

In this clip, film critic and presenter Bill Collins reports from the 1976 Cannes Film Festival for a Channel 7 TV special called Australia in Cannes.

On the beach, Bill discovers director Peter Weir playing his part in a memorable stunt to promote Picnic at Hanging Rock. Jack Thompson is there, along with a picnic party of young women in white dresses.

The clip also includes director Fred Schepisi and cast members Nick Tate and Arthur Dignam talking about The Devil’s Playground.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Prop 'Missing' poster on noticeboard. NFSA title: 481095

Actor Helen Morse interviewed by Margaret Leask in 2015.

Actor John Jarratt interviewed by Alec Morgan in 2013

Michael (Dominic Guard) is drawn to Appleyard College because of its association with Miranda.

French one-sheet poster.

On St Valentine’s Day 1900, three schoolgirls from an exclusive English-style boarding school go missing, along with a teacher, at Hanging Rock, in central Victoria.

In this clip, Michael Fitzhubert (Dominic Guard) has spent the night on Hanging Rock, looking for clues. When his servant Albert (John Jarratt) finds him the next day, he is exhausted and unable to speak. As he’s stretchered off the mountain, he hands Albert a tiny piece of a girl’s dress. Albert returns to the spot and finds missing schoolgirl Irma (Karen Robson).

This 1978 poster for the Polish release of Picnic at Hanging Rock (Piknik pod wiszacą skałą) has an ethereal quality that foreshadows the film's events.

The interpretation is folksy and bold. Danuta Bagińska-Andrejew captures the dreamlike mood of Peter Weir’s film. Rather than highlight the imminent dangers and eerie qualities of the Australian bushland, Miranda's portrait is rendered as a graceful, gothic vision. 

See more Polish Film Posters in the NFSA collection and read more about Polish film poster art.

Printed card announcing that shooting of 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' has commenced.

The girls encircle the rock. L-R: Irma Leopold (Karen Robson), Marion Quade (Jane Vallis), Miranda (Anne Lambert) and Edith Horton (Christine Schuler).

Architectural sketch for Lake View boathouse and garden party marquee.

Japanese one-sheet poster.

One-sheet poster for German re-release, 1990.

Actor Helen Morse interviewed by Margaret Leask in 2015

Publicity kit, Cannes Film Festival 1976. 

Miranda (Anne Lambert, centre, with magnifying glass) and other students at the picnic.

Producer Pat Lovell interviewed by Martha Ansara in 1993

A production photograph of the picnic scene.

This 1992 Polish quad poster for Picnic at Hanging Rock (Piknik pod wiszacą skałą) is folksy and bold. 

Wiktor Sadowski captures the dreamlike mood of Peter Weir’s film. Rather than highlight the imminent dangers and eerie qualities of the Australian bushland, Miranda's portrait is rendered as a graceful, gothic vision. 

See more Polish Film Posters in the NFSA collection and read more about Polish film poster art.

1974 telegram with Harold Pinter’s reaction to the script.

Australian one-sheet poster.

Appleyard College's senior girls: Irma Leopold (Karen Robson, left), Miranda (Anne Lambert, lying in foreground) and Marion Quade (Jane Vallis). 

Composer Bruce Smeaton talks candidly about his musical contribution to Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975).

At the time of this interview with Peter Beilby and Ivan Hutchinson in 1974–75, Smeaton was in the process of composing what would become the 'Ascent Music' in the film.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Director of Photography Russell Boyd interviewed by Martha Ansara in 1978

This version of the 'Ascent Music’ was recorded by Roger Woodward in 1996 and originally composed by Bruce Smeaton for Picnic at Hanging Rock.

The contours of the ascending melodic minor motif (embellished by arpeggiated figures) is mirrored through each successive harmony, providing the music with direction and unity.

According to Smeaton, the music was composed to help bridge the gap between the film’s use of the Romanian panpipes and its European classical music – such as Bach and Mozart.

The ascending music also correlates with the film’s imagery and themes – namely, the girls' ascension of the rock, some of them never to return.

Mrs Appleyard (Rachel Roberts) arrives at Hanging Rock in the film's original ending.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

BEF (Film Distributors) press release dated 13 January 1975 announcing imminent production of 'Picnic at Hanging Rock', p 1. 

Australian lobby card showing Dianne de Poitiers (played by Helen Morse, left) and Irma (Karen Robson) at the picnic.

Miranda (Anne Lambert) unconscious at Hanging Rock.

Australian lobby card showing Mrs Appleyard (played by Rachel Roberts, left) and Sara (Margaret Nelson) in the schoolroom.

Australian lobby card showing Albert Crundall (John Jarratt, left) and Michael Fitzhubert (Dominic Guard).

Script changes: the original ending with Mrs Appleyard at Hanging Rock.

Production shot of Mademoiselle Dianne de Poitiers (played by Helen Morse, left) and Sara Waybourne (Margaret Nelson).

Screenwriter Cliff Green interviewed by Ina Bertrand in 2007

Miranda (Anne Lambert) looks up at Hanging Rock.

L-R: Irma Leopold (Karen Robson), Miranda (Anne Lambert), Marion Quade (Jane Vallis) and Edith Horton (Christine Schuler) at Hanging Rock.

Mlle Dianne de Poitiers (Helen Morse) with parasol.

Miranda (Anne Lambert) collects flowers in the gardens of Appleyard College, on St Valentine's Day morning.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Picnic at Hanging Rock architectural sketch for Appleyard College glasshouse, in which Sara's body is found.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Night shoot on the steps of Martindale Hall (location for Appleyard College).

Director Peter Weir stands to the right of the camera.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Prop sketches: 'Woodend' set dressing in Picnic at Hanging Rock.

The main street of Woodend, Victoria as recreated in Picnic at Hanging Rock. Mr Hussey drives the schoolgirls to Hanging Rock. 

The actual location is Albyn Terrace, Strathalbyn, South Australia.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Mademoiselle Dianne de Poitiers (Helen Morse) and Minnie (Jacki Weaver) investigate Sara's room after her sudden departure from the college.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Irma (Karen Robson) meets her rescuer, Albert Crundall (John Jarratt), for the first time.

A scene from the original release of 'Picnic at Hanging Rock', removed from the Director's Cut.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Detail from Australian lobby card showing Irma (Karen Robson) and Michael Fitzhubert (Dominic Guard) in a punt.

This scene was removed by Peter Weir for the Director's Cut. 

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Sara (Margaret Nelson) haunts Mrs Appleyard at Hanging Rock.

Production call sheet for Day 10 including Hanging Rock and unused police station scene.

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Seal-shaped 'Sammy' award for Best Feature Film won by 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' in October 1976. The awards were presented by TV Times magazine on the Seven television network for the Variety Club of Australia. The 'Sammy Awards’ were so named for the seal that adorned the top of the statuette given to winners. The inscription reads: 'Australian TV and Film Awards 1976 - Best Feature Film - Picnic at Hanging Rock - Presented by TV Times for the Variety Club of Australia'.

Picnic also won the 1976 Sammy awards for Film Actress (Helen Morse), Direction (Peter Weir) and Art Direction (David Copping), and was named runner-up in Best Actor (Dominic Guard) and Actress (Rachel Roberts).

Notes by Stephen Groenewegen

Marion (Jane Vallis) tries to make sense of her changed perspective, as she looks down on the sleeping picnickers. Miranda (Anne Lambert) leads the girls higher, to the foot of a series of strange monoliths, where all four girls lie down to sleep. Far below, Miss McCaw (Vivean Gray) senses that something is happening. When the girls awake, something has changed – the three friends walk through a crack in the rocks, as Edith (Christine Schuler) tries to stop them.

Summary by Paul Byrnes

Some of the most distinctive examples of Australian film music are the panpipe pieces by the Romanian folk musician Gheorghe Zamfir in Picnic at Hanging Rock. In this clip, we encounter the central theme – ‘Doïna: Lui Petru Unc’ – accompanying imagery of the rock and the schoolgirls, led by Miranda (Anne Lambert).

The delicate, ethereal and intensely ominous qualities of the music – including the meandering pipes and sustained chords of the organ – highlight the mysterious and ancient nature of the stone formation and the alluring power it has over those who come into contact with it.

As stated by director Peter Weir, the music’s pagan qualities tapped into the great unknown of the country at the time the story was set – and provided a contrast to other themes in the film, such as European notions and concepts of time, culture, cultivation and civilisation.

According to a 2013 poll by the ABC, the score for Picnic at Hanging Rock was ranked 12th in a list of the 100 best film scores of all time. It is strange that this music works so well, given its dislocation from the narrative setting – a locational setting and period far removed from Romania.