Review:1974 Biker Classic 'Stone' Gets a Terrific Blu-Ray Release
So many talented filmmakers emerged out of Australia in the 1970s and '80s, yet just as many didn't find the kind of success internationally as they did in their home country. Sandy Harbutt is one of those filmmakers, but his one feature film is nothing short of a remarkable achievement. That film is "Stone" from 1974, a psychedelic biker movie that benefits from Harbutt's clear prowess behind the camera and a rock-solid script that successfully weaves social commentary through a genuinely great action plot.
Severin Films upgrades their 2008 special edition release of "Stone" to Blu-ray in spectacular fashion with a brand-new presentation sourced from an uncut 4K scan of original vault elements. The result is nothing short of show-stopping, with vastly improved video quality that breathes new life into the film. Colors look terrific, with a vibrant palette accentuated by a nice and organic layer of grain. The mono track attached sounds terrific as well. I truly can't recommend this new presentation enough if you're a fan of "Stone," or Ozploitation in general.
As for special features, Severin ports over the rather exhaustive list of supplements from their 2008 release and adds a couple more for good measure. In particular, there's extended interviews with Sandy Harbutt and other members of the crew originally filmed for the documentary "Not Quite Hollywood." Harbutt is an eloquent interviewee, and keeps the interview running at a fast clip with plenty of facts from the making of the film, as well as stories of how hard it was to get the film produced.
Credited for putting fire under the ass of the Australian exploitation movement — a.k.a. Ozploitation — "Stone" tells the story of an outlaw motorcycle gang whose members are getting killed off because one of them witnessed a political assassination. Ozploitation legends Roger Ward, Vincent Gil, Reg Evans, and Hugh Keays-Byrne round out the terrific cast, with Harbutt himself playing the leader of the gang.
"Stone" is able to do the rather remarkable thing of taking a somewhat-familiar premise and injecting it with a vibe that resembles something more cerebral than physical. Although the film is well-known for its violent hijinks (and is replete with nudity), what stands out here is the concept of this biker gang as its own environment. Every single ounce of stimuli sent their way is returned tenfold when the gang teams up together. But add LSD-induced paranoia into the mix, and you have a recipe for an environment in chaos.
Biker films rarely get better or more unique than Sandy Harbutt's "Stone," and for good reason. This is a gem that only gets better on repeat viewings, and Severin has truly given it the Blu-ray release it deserves.
Other special features include:
� "The Making of Stone"
� Deleted and extended scenes
� "Stone Forever"
� Makeup tests
� Slideshow with commentary by director Sandy Harbutt
"Stone" is now available on Blu-ray from Severin Films