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In Winter, Australian Catholics asked readers to look back over a century or more of Australian cinema and nominate their favourite Australian film. The most popular choice was Picnic at Hanging Rock, followed closely by The Castle, Looking for Alibrandi and Gallipoli. Don Barrett from Inooroopilly wins $250. We are glad to offer a selection of other entries, each of which wins the price of a pair of movie tickets. Happy viewing!

Picnic at Hanging Rock was Australia's first genuine international success. The story was hypnotic, chilling. Peter Weir wrung terror out of emptiness and silence. The haunting pan pipes, a brilliant cast, the magnificent setting created an unforgettable experience. Significantly, author Joan Lindsay approved wholeheartedly.

The original Blair Witch Project? Director Peter Weir admits that he didn't encourage novelist Joan Lindsay to reveal whether the tale she spun in her novella was based on real events or her own imagination. This may have led, at least in part, to the mystique of his breakthrough movie about several maidens who disappeared during an outing in turn-of-the-century Australia. But that's not all. Weir played with the soundtrack to create an auditory effect that adds to the sense of foreboding. For the scenes at the famous rock formation, he took a sound effects track of an earthquake, slowed it down and then mixed it into the soundtrack so it was almost inaudible. "In really good theaters, you could feel it in your breastplate," Weir said. The eerie effect was intended "to give you the same experience as those on screen." (D)