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Stone (film)
Encyclopedia
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
Rebecca Gilling
Rebecca Gilling is an Australian actress. Her first acting role was in Stone but who came to prominence as the "bad girl" flight attendant Diana Moore in the feature film version of soap opera Number 96 , in which she had several nude scenes...
, Bill Hunter
Bill Hunter (actor)
William John "Bill" Hunter was an Australian actor of film, stage and television. He appeared in more than 60 films and won two Australian Film Institute Awards.-Early life:Hunter was a son of William and Francie Hunter...
and Helen Morse
Helen Morse
Helen Morse is an Australian actress who has appeared in films, on television, and on stage.-Biography:Morse was born in Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, England. She was the oldest of four children; her parents were a doctor and nurse...
. 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)
Kawasaki Z1
The Z1 Kawasaki was a motorcycle introduced in 1972 by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. It has sometimes been described as the world's first superbike. The Z1, along with Honda's CB750 from 1969, introduced the four-cylinder, across the frame, disc-braked layout to a wider public...
. Stone initially rides a Norton.
The promotional trailer clip on YouTube features narration by radio and media personality John Laws
John Laws
Richard John Sinclair "John" Laws, CBE , an Australian radio presenter, sometimes known as Lawsie, was from the 1970s until his retirement in 2007, the host of a hugely successful morning radio program, which mixed music with interviews, opinion, live advertising readings and listener talkback...
. The film was featured in the documentary, Not Quite Hollywood about Australian exploitation films.
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 MorseHelen Morse
Helen Morse is an Australian actress who has appeared in films, on television, and on stage.-Biography:Morse was born in Harrow on the Hill, Middlesex, England. She was the oldest of four children; her parents were a doctor and nurse...
), Stone begins to identify with the Undertaker and his comrades Hooks (Roger Ward), Toad (Hugh Keays-Byrne
Hugh Keays-Byrne
Hugh Keays-Byrne is an English character actor who moved to Australia in 1973. He is well-known in Australia as a television and film actor...
), Dr Death (Vincent Gil
Vincent Gil
Vincent Gil is an Australian film and television actor best known for his portrayal of the character Nightrider in the 1979 film Mad Max. Gil has also starred in many Australian television shows such as Neighbours, A Country Practice and Prisoner.-External links:...
), Captain Midnight (Bindi Williams), Septic (Dewey Hungerford) and Vanessa (Rebecca Gilling
Rebecca Gilling
Rebecca Gilling is an Australian actress. Her first acting role was in Stone but who came to prominence as the "bad girl" flight attendant Diana Moore in the feature film version of soap opera Number 96 , in which she had several nude scenes...
), 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.
Locations
All SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
- Kurnell on Botany BayBotany BayBotany Bay is a bay in Sydney, New South Wales, a few kilometres south of the Sydney central business district. The Cooks River and the Georges River are the two major tributaries that flow into the bay...
for the opening scene at the first European landing site of Captain James CookJames CookCaptain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
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 HospitalRoyal North Shore HospitalThe Royal North Shore Hospital is a major public teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia, located in St Leonards. It serves as a teaching hospital for Sydney Medical School at the University of Sydney and has approximately 740 beds. It is the referral hospital for Northern Sydney and the Central...
. Google Map link - F3 Freeway, north of Sydney (including crossing the Hawkesbury RiverHawkesbury RiverThe Hawkesbury River, also known as Deerubbun, is one of the major rivers of the coastal region of New South Wales, Australia. The Hawkesbury River and its tributaries virtually encircle the metropolitan region of Sydney.-Geography:-Course:...
many times, including in the wrong direction) for the funeral procession.Google Map link - BalmainBalmain, New South WalesBalmain is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Balmain is located slightly west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
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 throu 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 crash's at a s-bend turn in the middle of the park). Google Map link
- Middle Head FortificationsMiddle Head FortificationsThe Middle Head Fortification is located at the end of Old Fort Road, Middle Head, Mosman, New South Wales. The fortifications at Middle Head formed part of Sydney Harbour's defences.-History:The fortifications were built between 1870 and 1911....
on Sydney HarbourPort JacksonPort Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia. It is known for its beauty, and in particular, as the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge...
at the Gun emplacements. Google Map link - Beehive CasemateBeehive CasemateThe Beehive Casemate is an historical fortification located on the banks of Obelisk Bay, in Sydney Harbour. Construction began in 1871 and was completed in 1874. The fort was constructed under the supervision of colonial architect James Barnet...
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
Box Office
Stone grossed $1,572,000 at the box office in Australia, which is equivalent to $10,611,000 in 2009 dollars.External links
- 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