Change Your Image
marcushanson1
Reviews
Stone (1974)
One of the Greats !
STONE is one of the best films of all time. Why was it panned by critics on release ? In my opinion,they just did not understand what Sandy Harbutt was doing. Listen to the man as he discusses the production : he is bright and articulate. The perceived 'flaws' of the film are its strength and its charm : have no doubt , Sandy knew EXACTLY the effect he wanted to create.He achieved this with aplomb.
It was very much a film of its time,insofar as environmental and development concerns portrayed were at the fore in the Sydney of 40 years ago.
Was the film corny? In many respects , yes it was. Who can forget the words uttered by the nightclub manager ,as he lets rip with all the '70's "hip" clichés ? What a marvellously scripted,marvellously hammed- up cameo!
Other acting gems include the performance of the cemetery caretaker (was Sandy inspired by the 'gravedigger' in 'Hamlet' ?!),the laconic hostility displayed by the barman(Bill Hunter,RIP)to Stone and the young man who went to the pub to 'gawp' at the bikies(he really DID look intimidated by Toad!)
The music was terrific : the rasping instrumental "Pigs"(played as the two policemen interrupt the funeral),Sandy's "Cosmic Flash" and his idea to turn Dylan Thomas's "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" into a rock number. Billy Green(aka Wil Greenstreet)did a fine job with the musical arrangements. And who could forget Doug Parkinson's singing? He sounded like a cross between Tom Jones and Lemmy of Motorhead!
If anyone is in,or gets to,Sydney , I recommend you visit the locations. The Middle Head fort / 'amphitheatre' (where Stone is initiated) is much smaller than it looks on film,but it offers a great view of the Harbour. The underground hideout is in fact in a separate location(the film combines the two,to make them appear as one place), a little further west,at the 'Beehive Casemates', near Clifton Gardens.This is well camouflaged,under a large asphalt mound visible from the road,but entry is restricted to people on a national parks tour. The cemetery at Gore Hill is closed,but is still maintained.It is a delightfully tranquil spot. The bike jump into the sea at Wisdom Street,Coogee, would be harder now - there's a small barrier on the cliff! The NSW Art Gallery (where Toad evades the assassin)is situated in the Botanic Gardens. The pub in Balmain,unfortunately,was closed before the film was made.
So,great music,great locations,humour,violence,motorbikes,pathos(when the gang explain to Stone how they came together),politics and beer - all in one film ! Nobody could ask for more ! Thank you,Sandy Harbutt and everyone involved in this cinematic masterpiece.
Good and Bad at Games (1983)
Good and Bad at Games
I lament that this film has not enjoyed greater exposure. In character,it is a thoroughly English film. Indeed,a tale set against the backdrop of a public school,military presence in Ulster AND a cricket game could come only from England ! The story is terrific , but the acting is no better than average - with one exception. The exception is the performance of Anton Lesser as the bullied,vengeful Cox.Why we have not seen more of this man in big-budget, better-known films is both a mystery and a disappointment. The other actors seem to be content to play the stereotypical roles of outsider(Stanbridge),bullying snob (Jephcott) and bored neglected spouse(Davenport). Paradoxically,I STILL enjoyed ALL the performances , especially that of Stanbridge. Possibly that is due in part to the strength of the writing and direction.And the music by Cream!
Mr.Lesser, however,seemed to "live and breathe" his character. He gave one of the most memorable and convincing performances I have ever seen,by any actor.