Stone (1974)
Studio: Severin / CAV
Theatrical Release: June 28, 1974 (Australia)
DVD Release: October 28, 2008
Director: Sandy Harbutt
Not Rated
Review by James Klein
Australia's biker film Stone is what they call an "Ozploitation" picture. This was the term given to many exploitation films that came out in the 70's and early 80's from Australia. While some films such as Stone were huge hits, others faded into obscurity. Stone remains one of the most popular and well liked Ozploitation films which has me wonder what the other Ozploitation films were like because I didn't find very much to enjoy or find anything original in Stone.
Stone is about a biker gang called The Grave Diggers who happen to drive by a political rally one day and mock what is going on. One of their members, Toad, is all hoped up on some sort of drug that is never explained, wanders off and sees an assassin who is about to shoot this political figure. When the man is shot, the assassin quickly catches a glimpse of the back of Toad's biker jacket. Now, various members of the gang start getting bumped off one by one, as the assassin must wipe out the entire gang.
While I was hoping the film would turn into a political thriller, the movie just becomes another biker film as police officer Stone (Ken Shorter) informs the gang that he must join The Grave Diggers to protect them from any other attempts on their lives. Reluctantly, they agree to take him in as a member.
It takes awhile for the film's plot to even begin moving forward as Stone, directed by Sandy Harbutt who also co-wrote and stars as bike leader Undertaker, seems to want to focus on just motorcycles driving around. Sure, the gorgeous Australian landscape is quite beautiful but after awhile, the film just seems to drag. While I was interested in the whole conspiracy/murder of this politician (it is never explained or really talked about) the movie wants to show more about the lifestyle of these biker gangs and what it looks like to an outsider. But if you have seen Hells Angels on Wheels or Easy Rider, then making another "culture" film about a biker gang is unnecessary and at times, rather boring. Most of the gang members to The Grave Diggers are assholes anyways so why do we care to watch them?
I will say the film does have a rather bizarre and bleak ending, as well as some rather entertaining stunt work. And I guess I am a sucker for the exploitation genre, especially from the 1970's. I like seeing the old clothes, hair styles and especially the automobiles and bikes from that time. Fans of Mad Max will notice that many cast members appear in Stone which is kind of fun to point out.
Supposedly Harbutt's original cut of Stone ran over two hours and I can't help but think that maybe certain scenes should have been kept in as parts of the film seem incoherent while shots of race cars or bikes driving up and down the highway re just dull to watch. Unfortunately, the DVD by Severin, though boasting an impressive picture quality, is just the 99 minute version. In fact, aside from the theatrical trailer, my copy of Stone has nothing extra on it. BUT there is a two disc special edition floating out there that contains the full length making of called Stone Forever which does show a few deleted scenes.
While the film isn't terrible, Stone left me cold. It neither excited me or upset me, I actually started the film up three times as I kept falling asleep watching it. That can't be a good sign.
[Rating: 2]
Theatrical Release: June 28, 1974 (Australia)
DVD Release: October 28, 2008
Director: Sandy Harbutt
Not Rated
Review by James Klein
Australia's biker film Stone is what they call an "Ozploitation" picture. This was the term given to many exploitation films that came out in the 70's and early 80's from Australia. While some films such as Stone were huge hits, others faded into obscurity. Stone remains one of the most popular and well liked Ozploitation films which has me wonder what the other Ozploitation films were like because I didn't find very much to enjoy or find anything original in Stone.
Stone is about a biker gang called The Grave Diggers who happen to drive by a political rally one day and mock what is going on. One of their members, Toad, is all hoped up on some sort of drug that is never explained, wanders off and sees an assassin who is about to shoot this political figure. When the man is shot, the assassin quickly catches a glimpse of the back of Toad's biker jacket. Now, various members of the gang start getting bumped off one by one, as the assassin must wipe out the entire gang.
While I was hoping the film would turn into a political thriller, the movie just becomes another biker film as police officer Stone (Ken Shorter) informs the gang that he must join The Grave Diggers to protect them from any other attempts on their lives. Reluctantly, they agree to take him in as a member.
It takes awhile for the film's plot to even begin moving forward as Stone, directed by Sandy Harbutt who also co-wrote and stars as bike leader Undertaker, seems to want to focus on just motorcycles driving around. Sure, the gorgeous Australian landscape is quite beautiful but after awhile, the film just seems to drag. While I was interested in the whole conspiracy/murder of this politician (it is never explained or really talked about) the movie wants to show more about the lifestyle of these biker gangs and what it looks like to an outsider. But if you have seen Hells Angels on Wheels or Easy Rider, then making another "culture" film about a biker gang is unnecessary and at times, rather boring. Most of the gang members to The Grave Diggers are assholes anyways so why do we care to watch them?
I will say the film does have a rather bizarre and bleak ending, as well as some rather entertaining stunt work. And I guess I am a sucker for the exploitation genre, especially from the 1970's. I like seeing the old clothes, hair styles and especially the automobiles and bikes from that time. Fans of Mad Max will notice that many cast members appear in Stone which is kind of fun to point out.
Supposedly Harbutt's original cut of Stone ran over two hours and I can't help but think that maybe certain scenes should have been kept in as parts of the film seem incoherent while shots of race cars or bikes driving up and down the highway re just dull to watch. Unfortunately, the DVD by Severin, though boasting an impressive picture quality, is just the 99 minute version. In fact, aside from the theatrical trailer, my copy of Stone has nothing extra on it. BUT there is a two disc special edition floating out there that contains the full length making of called Stone Forever which does show a few deleted scenes.
While the film isn't terrible, Stone left me cold. It neither excited me or upset me, I actually started the film up three times as I kept falling asleep watching it. That can't be a good sign.
[Rating: 2]
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