UHD Review International A Few Words About A few words about...™ - Picnic at Hanging Rock -- in 4k UHD (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

Peter Weir's brilliant 1975 Picnic at Hanging Rock may be the most beautiful motion picture tackling a cold case that seemingly never occurred.

But that's irrelevant.

Second Sight Films, a UK entity is about to release the film in 4k, measurably upgrading the earlier Criterion release, and correcting the aspect ratio, from the filmmaker's then preferred 1.78 to his now preferred 1.66, which seems to be the original correct ratio.

It should be noted that filmmaker aspect ratio preference can change with technology, and that technology's ability to present the film in requisite quality.

Think Mr. Kubrick and open matte presentations for early home video with minimal resolution.

Second Sight's new 4k literally glows with Russell Boyd's cinematography, and a far more highly resolved image. I can honestly say, after seeing this film theatrically, presumably cropped to 1.85, and in various video incarnations, that this makes for an extraordinary viewing experience.

The delicacy of the tonalities captured on film shine through magnificently in this digital interpretation.

Second Sight will offer two variants. A Limited Edition set with both the Theatrical as well as the Director's Cut, and then a standard issue with only Mr. Weir's preferred 107 minute Director's Cut.

The new 4k scan and restoration has been approved by both director and DP.


Image – 5 (HDR10)

Audio – 5 (DTS HD-MA 5.1)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Makes use of and works well in 4k - 4.25

Worth your attention - 10

Upgrade from Blu-ray - Yes, but keep Criterion for alternate extras

Very Highly Recommended

RAH

 

[Lord Dalek]

Hopefully Criterion follows suit.

 

[Jonno F]

Very excited to hear that this is such a strong release.

Just one point on the editions. As far as Second Sight's product pages are concerned, both versions include theatrical and director's cuts on UHD - the LE also includes Blu-ray copies as well as fancy packaging and a couple of books. Personally, I think I'm fine with the former.

 

[cineMANIAC]

For the 8K release, Weir's preferred ratio will be 2.76:1

I've watched the movie just once, years ago, on DVD. I remember liking it but not knowing what the heck it was about. Textbook example of "dreamlike quality" I guess. "A cold case that seemingly never occurred" will narrow it down somewhat for me next time (hopefully). Awaiting shipping notification from Second Sight.

 

[titch]

The Second Sight releases, based on their own commissioned scans of camera negatives, are superb. Is there information in the Picnic For Hanging Rock package, if Fidelity In Motion was responsible for the digital encoding for the disc?

 

[JPCinema]

The standard edition with contain both the directors cut and original cut.

 

[Peter Neski]

They also have much better extras than Criterion had, So Glad to hear the good news, this will make up for my disappointment with Arrows dark Last Emperor

 

[Robert Harris]

I should note that I do not have final product.

 

[jayembee]

Second Sight Films, a UK entity is about to release the film in 4k, measurably upgrading the earlier Criterion release, and correcting the aspect ratio, from the filmmaker's then preferred 1.78 to his now preferred 1.66, which seems to be the original correct ratio.

It should be noted that filmmaker aspect ratio preference can change with technology, and that technology's ability to present the film in requisite quality.

For the record...

In 1998, when Criterion released Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock on DVD (and LD), it was described thusly:

"Picnic at Hanging Rock is presented in the director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1. [...] The transfer and new sound mix were supervised and approved by Peter Weir."

In 2014, Criterion released it on Blu-ray (and DVD again). It was described thusly:

"Director-approved dual-format Blu-ray and DVD Special Edition [...] Remastered high definition digital film transfer, supervised by director Peter Weir..." The booklet, in the "About the Transfer" section, says "Picnic at Hanging Rock is presented in the director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.78:1."

At any rate, I've got this UHD (the White Tie And Tails Edition) on order from Diabolik. Looking forward to it, especially having both cuts correctly presented. I have a Japanese laserdisc of the original theatrical edition, but it's presented in 1.33:1.

 

[jayembee]

The Second Sight releases, based on their own commissioned scans of camera negatives, are superb. Is there information in the Picnic For Hanging Rock package, if Fidelity In Motion was responsible for the digital encoding for the disc?

Unknown until someone with the package can say. The description on their product page doesn't say, other than it's a "new Second Sight 4K restoration from the original camera negative supervised and approved by Director Peter Weir and Director of Photography Russell Boyd".

 

[Lord Dalek]

For the record...

In 1998, when Criterion released Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock on DVD (and LD), it was described thusly:

"Picnic at Hanging Rock is presented in the director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1. [...] The transfer and new sound mix were supervised and approved by Peter Weir."

In 2014, Criterion released it on Blu-ray (and DVD again). It was described thusly:

"Director-approved dual-format Blu-ray and DVD Special Edition [...] Remastered high definition digital film transfer, supervised by director Peter Weir..." The booklet, in the "About the Transfer" section, says "Picnic at Hanging Rock is presented in the director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.78:1."

At any rate, I've got this UHD (the White Tie And Tails Edition) on order from Diabolik. Looking forward to it, especially having both cuts correctly presented. I have a Japanese laserdisc of the original theatrical edition, but it's presented in 1.33:1.

That's the problem with Open Matte. Everything between 1.33 and 2.20 is a turkey shoot.

 

[Richard Kaufman]

I recall watching this as a teen, upon first release, and leaving the theater scratching my head.

 

[sbjork]

For the record...

In 1998, when Criterion released Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock on DVD (and LD), it was described thusly:

"Picnic at Hanging Rock is presented in the director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1. [...] The transfer and new sound mix were supervised and approved by Peter Weir."

In 2014, Criterion released it on Blu-ray (and DVD again). It was described thusly:

"Director-approved dual-format Blu-ray and DVD Special Edition [...] Remastered high definition digital film transfer, supervised by director Peter Weir..." The booklet, in the "About the Transfer" section, says "Picnic at Hanging Rock is presented in the director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.78:1."

At any rate, I've got this UHD (the White Tie And Tails Edition) on order from Diabolik. Looking forward to it, especially having both cuts correctly presented. I have a Japanese laserdisc of the original theatrical edition, but it's presented in 1.33:1.

I ordered it directly from Second Sight, a few minutes after the listing went up, so it will be interesting to see who gets it first. I also ordered their TCM directly from the source, and it doesn't seem to have made it to this side of the pond yet.

 

[B-ROLL]

Hopefully Criterion follows suit.

Prolly in full-frame ...

 

[Angelo Colombus]

Website Grindhouse Video has the limited edition for $62.99 plus shipping.

 

[Lord Dalek]

FWIW, the Criterion is actually more accurate to the original theatrical if the trailer on youtube framed at 1.85:1 is any indication

Prolly in full-frame ...

Sorry pal. That kind of cock up is reserved for David Lean films.

 

[Michel_Hafner]

One of my favourites. Zamfir and Beethoven and Boticelli.

 

[Wayne Klein]

Peter Weir's brilliant 1975 Picnic at Hanging Rock may be the most beautiful motion picture tackling a cold case that seemingly never occurred.

But that's irrelevant.

Second Sight Films, a UK entity is about to release the film in 4k, measurably upgrading the earlier Criterion release, and correcting the aspect ratio, from the filmmaker's then preferred 1.78 to his now preferred 1.66, which seems to be the original correct ratio.

It should be noted that filmmaker aspect ratio preference can change with technology, and that technology's ability to present the film in requisite quality.

Think Mr. Kubrick and open matte presentations for early home video with minimal resolution.

Second Sight's new 4k literally glows with Russell Boyd's cinematography, and a far more highly resolved image. I can honestly say, after seeing this film theatrically, presumably cropped to 1.85, and in various video incarnations, that this makes for an extraordinary viewing experience.

The delicacy of the tonalities captured on film shine through magnificently in this digital interpretation.

Second Sight will offer two variants. A Limited Edition set with both the Theatrical as well as the Director's Cut, and then a standard issue with only Mr. Weir's preferred 107 minute Director's Cut.

The new 4k scan and restoration has been approved by both director and DP.


Image – 5 (HDR10)

Audio – 5 (DTS HD-MA 5.1)

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Makes use of and works well in 4k - 4.25

Worth your attention - 10

Upgrade from Blu-ray - Yes, but keep Criterion for alternate extras

Very Highly Recommended

RAH

The book is great as well. Came with my Criterion blu-ray. Had never read it.

 

[billO']

The book is great as well. Came with my Criterion blu-ray. Had never read it.

Weir made the correct decision to exclude the portion of the novel where it's explained the girls disappearance is due to aliens or spirits or whatever they were that absorbed and transported them to some other dimension or world. It was whacko phooeyness. Much more effective to leave their fate ambiguous and unresolved.

 

[Konstantinos]

Here's comparison pics in the end of the page, for anyone interested, between the bluray of the new restoration and the old Criterion one.

Test Blu-ray Import : Picnic at Hanging Rock (Second Sight)

Second Sight ont sorti le grand jeu pour cette ressortie de Picnic at Hanging Rock, mais les nouveaux travaux de restauration déçoivent.

testsbluray.com

What do you make of them?
I don't read good comments in the other forum.