A process for preparing an optically homogeneous polyvinyl alcohol film having an excellent appearance without forming wrinkles and scratches and causing blocking of the film, the process comprising the steps of forming a polyvinyl alcohol film from a solution of a polyvinyl alcohol resin, and rolling up the film around a cylindrical core, wherein the surface hardness of the rolled up film is set to a Shore A hardness of 60 to 95 measured according to JIS K 6301 under conditions of 25.degree. C. and 55% RH.