Stone is a 1974 Australian biker film written and directed by Sandy Harbutt. It was a low budget movie, written by Sandy Harbutt and Michael Robinson.
Police officer Stone goes undercover with the Gravediggers outlaw motorcycle gang, to find out who is murdering their members, one by one.
The film stars Ken Shorter and features Rebecca Gilling, Bill Hunter and Helen Morse. The film's soundtrack was composed by Billy Green and featured some members of his group Sanctuary. Motorcycles featured include the legendary Kawasaki Z1(900). Stone initially rides a Norton.
The promotional trailer Video on YouTube features narration by radio and media personality John Laws. The film was featured in the documentary, Not Quite Hollywood, in which Quentin Tarantino enthuses about his admiration for the film.
Plot
When several members of the GraveDiggers outlaw motorcycle club are murdered, Sydney detective Stone (Ken Shorter) is sent to investigate. Led by the Undertaker (Sandy Harbutt), a Vietnam war veteran, the GraveDiggers allow Stone to pose as a gang member. Leaving behind society girlfriend Amanda (Helen Morse), Stone begins to identify with the Undertaker and his comrades Hooks (Roger Ward), Toad (Hugh Keays-Byrne), Dr Death (Vincent Gil), Captain Midnight (Bindi Williams), Septic (Dewey Hungerford) and Vanessa (Rebecca Gilling), the Undertaker’s girlfriend. Amid violent confrontations with the Black Hawks, a rival gang the GraveDiggers hold responsible, Stone uncovers a political conspiracy behind the killings. When the truth is revealed, Stone must choose between his job and his loyalty to the GraveDiggers.
Cast
- Ken Shorter as Stone
- Sandy Harbutt as Undertaker
- Deryck Barnes as Doctor Townes
- Hugh Keays-Byrne as Toad
- Roger Ward as Hooks
- Vincent Gil as Dr Death
- Bruce McPherson as Go Down
- Dewey Hungerford as Septic
- James H Bowles as Stinkfinger
- Bindi Williams as Captain Midnight
- John Ivkovitch as Zonk
- Lex Mitchell as Ballini
- Rhod Walker as Chairman
- Slim de Grey as Inspector Hannigan
- Owen Weingott as Alder
- Ray Bennett as Sergeant Larson
- Bill Hunter as barman
- Helen Morse as Amanda
- Rebecca Gilling as Vanessa
- Sue Lloyd as Tart
- Ros Talamini as Sunshine
- Victoria Anoux as Flossie
- Jane Gilling as Eurydice
- Eva Ivkotich as Tiger
- Billy Green as 69
- Michael Robinson as Pinball
- Garry McDonald as bike mechanic
- Terry Bader as hamburger man
- Lachlan Jamieson as disco proprietary
- Drew Forsythe
- Ros Spiers
Production
Sandy Harbutt got the idea in 1970 when he wrote a script for an episode of the TV series The Long Arm in which he was appearing.
The Australian Film Development Corporation invested $154,000 in the film. The remainder of the budget and most of the technical facilities were provided by Ross Wood Productions in Sydney. The movie was shot in late 1973.
The Hells Angels club (Sydney) provided assistance during production.
Locations
All Sydney, Australia
- Kurnell on Botany Bay for the opening scene at the first British landing site of Captain James Cook in 1770.Google Map link
- The Domain across from the Art Gallery of NSW; public forum and the assassination.Google Map link
- Lurline Bay for the stunt ride off the cliff into the ocean. Google Map link
- Gore Hill Cemetery, near Royal North Shore Hospital. Google Map link
- F3 Freeway, north of Sydney (including crossing the Hawkesbury River many times, including in the wrong direction) for the funeral procession.Google Map link
- Balmain for the pub ("Forth & Clyde" -now closed) Forth & Clyde Hotel and street fight scenes. Google Map link
- Northern Beaches,including Bilgola Beach and Avalon.Google Map link
- Neutral Bay and Mosman streets for the "race" and crash scenes (the park has two ovals, an upper and lower, the race starts at the top of Montpelier St at Forsyth park and goes up through Premier St then across to Alfred St next to the fwy and down to Eaton St then back to the first part of Montpelier St at the bottom of Forsyth park then up to were Stone crashes at a s-bend turn in the middle of the park). Google Map link
- Middle Head Fortifications on Sydney Harbour at the Gun emplacements. Google Map link
- Beehive Casemate Interior scenes for the gangs hide out were shot inside the Beehive Casemate in Obelisk Bay and made to look as though it was part of the Middle Head Fortifications.
- Washaway Beach for the dawn swim scene. Google Map link
- Lane Cove (mostly Burns Bay Road and River Road) for various group riding scenes.Google Map link
Release
Although Stone was given an "R" rating it grossed $1,572,000 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $10,611,000 in 2009 dollars. It made a profit to its investors within 18 months.
Influence
Several of the cast went on to appear in Mad Max (1979).
Stone Forever
Stone Forever is a 1999 documentary about Stone. Richard Kuipers was contacted by David Hannay and Sandy Harbutt to film a bike ride commemorating the film's 25th anniversary, which led to a full documentary about the impact of the film and the fate of the people who made it.
See also
- Cinema of Australia
References
External links
- Stone at the Internet Movie Database
- Stone at the National Film and Sound Archive
- STONE at The "Oz Film Database" Australian Film Database at Murdoch University
- STONE FOREVER -25 Years of Stone at the "Urban Cinefile" database
- The official site of the Stone movie remake - currently in development
- Article in FilmInk about STONE and the remake
- Milesago
- Stone Forever at Australian Screen Online
- Stone Forever at IMDB
- Stone at Oz Film
- Stone Forever at Oz Film