Samuel LoveOn a cold Christmas Day in 1972, celebrated writer Nigel Kneale terrified the nation with The Stone Tape, a feature-length entry in the ‘ghost story for Christmas’ BBC series. Released on Blu-ray for the first time by 101 Films, this chilling television classic has lost none of its power to shock. Lez Cooke, in his book British Television Drama: A History, praised the film as “one of the most imaginative and intelligent examples of the horror genre to appear on British television”, and few things have come close in the last 50+ years.
101 Films’ Blu-ray release is really special. The source material means that the film is never going to push the Blu-ray format to its limit – indeed, a disclaimer on the case states: “The Stone Tape was shot on video tape for broadcast. Please approach the technical quality of this upscale with empathy.” But it certainly can’t look any better than this, while a wealth of fascinating special features offer fascinating insight into this slice of Brit TV history. A set of art-cards, a booklet of essays, and a replica of the script round out this chunky, must-own release. This is really quite wonderful.
Synopsis
101 Films presents Nigel Kneale’s The Stone Tape (1972), released on Blu-ray for the first time. Broadcast by the BBC on Christmas Day 1972 to critical acclaim, The Stone Tape sees Kneale employing his trademark fusion of science fiction and supernatural horror to terrifying effect, and ranks among the legendary screenwriter’s best work.
A team of scientists, eager to discover a new recording medium, take over a brooding gothic mansion recently purchased and renovated by their employers. On moving in, however, they find one room unfinished and the builders refusing to work there. Claims of strange noises and feelings of unease are dismissed. However, the scientists soon discover that the renovation work on the mansion has disturbed something hidden beneath the stone walls, something ancient and malevolent.
Special Features
- ‘Children of The Stone Tape’ – Documentary on the lasting legacy of The Stone Tape
- ‘Out of Darkness: A Visionary Manxman’ – Short film on writer Nigel Kneale
- Commentary with filmmakers Jon Dear and Sean Hogan
- Limited edition rigid box packaging
- Set of art cards
- Script booklet
- Booklet including ‘Placememory’ by Andy Murray and ‘Weird Science: The Stone Tape at Fifty’ by John Doran
- Archive extra: Commentary with Nigel Kneale and film critic Kim Newman
THE STONE TAPE is available on Limited Edition Blu-ray from 101 Films on 9 December 2024
