Stone (1974)

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Declared by many fanatic and knowledgeable cinema experts – amongst them Quentin Tarantino – as THE ultimate biker-exploitation classic, "Stone" indeed is a quintessential 70's highlight that fully surpassed my already high expectations. In his genre, the movie simply is a lot better than the other and this is illustrated through a non-stop series of powerful and astonishing sequence from the opening credits and onwards. "Stone" is different to watch you expect at first … more stylish, classier and absorbing than you could ever imagine. You anticipate seeing a trashy and savage biker-flick, but you actually get the complete opposite. For example, usually the opening credits in this type of film exist of images of tough bikers riding through desolate landscapes guided by heavy guitar music and loud rock lyrics; am I right? Well, "Stone" does the contrary. The opening credits are serene, with close ups of mechanical motorcycle equipment and no music at all. Simply the distinctness of this particular sequence made a very big impression on me. Then immediately after follow three murder sequences, but not at all gratuitous or unnecessarily violent ones. Almost saddening killings of biker men who – as far as we know up until that moment, at least – haven't even committed any crimes. Someone is targeting the members of the Sydney biker gang The Grave Diggers for elimination. In spite of their hugely different opinions and moral codes, The Grave Diggers – led by the charismatic Undertaker – eventually allow undercover cop Stone to ride with them and thus infiltrate in the harsh world of crime, brotherhood, violence and Kawasaki 900's. The most powerful sequence of the entire film is undoubtedly the phenomenal biker funeral parade. This scene is extendedly shown and discussed in the superb documentary on Australian cult cinema "Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation" and it was the main reason why I desperately wanted to see the film. It certainly doesn't disappoint as I even experienced goose bumps at the sight of more than 400 amateur bikers participating in this event. Inevitably, but understandably as well, "Stone" can't keep up the level of brilliance throughout the entire film. The scenario gradually becomes more talkative and moralistic, but still there are several more flashes of sheer ingenuity, craftsmanship and subject matter expertise (like the downbeat climax, to name just one). "Stone" is the vastly admirable one-man-project of Sandy Harbutt, who wrote and directed the film, composed some of the soundtrack, designed the sets AND plays the complex role of gang front man Undertaker. Even though he never did anything else anymore after "Stone", cult freaks should nevertheless eternally respect Harbutt for what he accomplished here. I'm sure that if "Mad Max" hadn't came along, "Stone" would still be the number one cult movie of Australia. In my humble opinion, Sandy Harbutt's only mistake was the casting of Ken Shorter as the titular anti-hero "Stone". He certainly isn't plausible enough to depict a raw biker – even an undercover one – with his baby face and Prince Valiant haircut.

Someone is picking off members of the outlaw biker gang the Grave Diggers after one of their number witnesses the assassination of a politician at an outdoor rally in a public park. Straight-laced undercover cop Stone (stiffly played by Ken Shorter) infiltrates the club in order to protect them and find out who the killer is. Director/co-writer Sandy Harbutt astutely pegs the whole empowering feeling of doing your own thing, refusing to buckle under to the status quo, and the sense of pure unbeatable strength riding a mean machine with your closest mates gives you. Moreover, Harbutt shows the bikers in a positive and sympathetic light without ever exploiting or glamorizing them in the process. In fact, the strong bond of loyalty and camaraderie amongst the Grave Diggers is truly touching and heart-warming. The cast members who portray the Grave Diggers look, act and sound like the genuine gnarly article, with especially stand-out turns by Harbutt as tough, charismatic leader the Undertaker, Hugh Keays-Byrne as the scruffy, yet sensitive Toad, Vincent Gil as the crazed Dr. Death, Rebecca Gilling as the Undertaker's sassy moll Vanessa, James H. Bowles as the grubby Stinkfinger, Bindi Williams as the laid-back Captain Midnight, and Roger Ward as the rowdy Hooks. Helen Morse likewise does well as Stone's fetching, but long-suffering girlfriend Amanda. Only Shorter's bland acting as Stone leaves something to be desired. Graham Lind's gritty, but polished cinematography offers plenty of striking visuals: Toad tripping on acid in the park, an impressively massive biker funeral procession roaring down the highway, and the stunning climax in an empty cemetery. Billy Green's groovy hard-rocking score hits the funky-jammin' bull's eye as well. But what makes this picture so special and resonant is that it has the pungent stench of gritty authenticity about it. So take the trip and check it out, mate.

I'd just like to add that the version of this movie shown on TV and available on VHS and DVD is cut, the original movie was about 20 minutes longer but was cut for it's American release and was only ever shown in full during it's original 1974 release at Australian theater's. Seeing the full original version ties in some of the loose ends, but as far as I know the full version has never been released for commercial sale, though it was available for purchase at the 25'th anniversary Stone run in Sydney back in 1999, which I attended. The actual Kawasaki Z900's featured in the movie were offered for sale at theater's during the original 1974 release, when I saw the movie at the local drive-in back then there were three of them on display in the refreshment kiosk being offered for sale.

Although it now looks rather dated, you must remember that when this movie was made, Australia was a very conservative place. This film broke a lot of new ground in the early 70's. Firstly, it was all Australian. Written, Produced, Directed and Starring. Not an American in sight. Secondly, it contained shots of male and female nudity. Thirdly, it was extremely gory and violent for it's day. But, the biggest thing it had going for it was it's incredible bike stunts.(Have you ever seen a Kawasaki Z900 do a wheelstand?) There's some fantastic locations in and around Sydney, and the funeral procession is spectacular, but the opening 10 minutes, or so, will have you on the edge of your seat. For those of you who are interested, 4 of the actors starring in "Stone" (Vincent Gil, Hugh Keays-Byrne, Roger Ward and Reg Evans) would later appear in George Miller's "Mad Max". It must be something about motorbikes!