Picnic at Hanging Rock - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ZanzibarBlue · 04-22-2006, 11:56 AM

Does anyone know if UM did a segment on the disappearances that were the inspiration for the novel and movie titled "Picnic at Haning Rock"? The movie came out around 15 years ago and contained the disclaimer "Based on actual events". To summarize the story, an all-girl boarding school in Victoria, Australia circa 1900 decided to have a picnic at a place called Hanging Rock, which reportedly was a location where aborigines performed vodoo-like ceremonies. 5 of the girls decided to break off from the group to walk a trail, and they disappeared. A subsequent search of the surrounding area yielded nothing. A visiting Englishman became obsessed with the disappearance and began his own search. He eventually found 1 of the missing girls who had gone crazy. I believe they found another girl who had been murdered. The other 3 remained missing. I know the movie and book were fiction, but it was (supposedly) based on an actual disappearance. This has been hotly debated as historical records of the time do not indicate any such disappeance occured. Hanging Rock is an actual place and apparently does have a dark reputation. Anyone familiar with this case?

Kane · 04-22-2006, 10:26 PM

I've seen no such story on UM.

greatgarrett2 · 04-22-2006, 10:48 PM

Sorry, I can't say that I'm familiar with the case and I have never seen it on UM.

Sounds interesting, though but sad at the same time that those girls disappeared.

Stack · 04-24-2006, 10:11 AM

According to Wikipedia, the actual story is indeed false. The author simply allowed the myth to continue and dropped misleading hints. Good way to sell books ;-)

04-22-2006, 11:56 AM	#1
ZanzibarBlue ZanzibarBlue Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 03, 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 95	Picnic at Hanging Rock Does anyone know if UM did a segment on the disappearances that were the inspiration for the novel and movie titled "Picnic at Haning Rock"? The movie came out around 15 years ago and contained the disclaimer "Based on actual events". To summarize the story, an all-girl boarding school in Victoria, Australia circa 1900 decided to have a picnic at a place called Hanging Rock, which reportedly was a location where aborigines performed vodoo-like ceremonies. 5 of the girls decided to break off from the group to walk a trail, and they disappeared. A subsequent search of the surrounding area yielded nothing. A visiting Englishman became obsessed with the disappearance and began his own search. He eventually found 1 of the missing girls who had gone crazy. I believe they found another girl who had been murdered. The other 3 remained missing. I know the movie and book were fiction, but it was (supposedly) based on an actual disappearance. This has been hotly debated as historical records of the time do not indicate any such disappeance occured. Hanging Rock is an actual place and apparently does have a dark reputation. Anyone familiar with this case?

04-22-2006, 10:26 PM	#2
Kane Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 07, 2001 Location: MA, United States Posts: 3,367	I've seen no such story on UM.

04-22-2006, 10:48 PM	#3
greatgarrett2 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 11, 2006 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 544	Sorry, I can't say that I'm familiar with the case and I have never seen it on UM. Sounds interesting, though but sad at the same time that those girls disappeared.

04-24-2006, 10:11 AM	#4
Stack Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 24, 2006 Location: MD Posts: 17	According to Wikipedia, the actual story is indeed false. The author simply allowed the myth to continue and dropped misleading hints. Good way to sell books ;-)