101 Films has announced it will release Quatermass creator Nigel Kneale’s The Stone Tape in the UK 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. The film has gone on to leave a lasting legacy on supernatural fiction and beyond, popularising the theory of residual hauntings to the point it has since become known as Stone Tape Theory.
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.
Highly regarded by a vast number of filmmakers including John Carpenter (Prince of Darkness), Steven Spielberg (Poltergeist) and Jeremy Dyson (The League of Gentlemen) The Stone Tape remains one of the BBC’s finest features.
Title 041 on the company’s 101 Films Black Label, this release features a brand new upscaled master of The Stone Tape along with a whole raft of extra content.
The new documentary, “Children of The Stone Tape”, an exploration of the film’s legacy and its lasting influence on notable filmmakers, featuring
interviews with Peter Strickland (Berberian Sound Studio, Duke of Burgundy), Mark Gatiss (Sherlock, The League of Gentleman) and star Jane Asher.
Also on the disc is “Out of Darkness: A Visionary Manxman”, a short film about writer Nigel Kneale featuring biographer Andy Murray, and two commentaries.
This limited edition version comes packaged in a rigid box with brand new artwork, art cards, and two booklets, one featuring the original script and the other new writing on the film; “Placememory” by Andy
Murray and “Weird Science: The Stone Tape at Fifty”, by John Doran.
• The Stone Tape will be available on Limited Edition Blu-ray from Monday 9th December 2024 (AmazonUK Affiliate Link)
Brand new extras:
- ‘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
UPDATE: Wednesday 12th February 2025
• The Stone Tape (1972) (Standard Edition) (Blu-ray) will be released on 25th February 2025 | Available to preorder from 101 films here | Preorder from AmazonUK here (Affiliate Link)
This edition includes the following extras: ‘Children of The Stone Tape’ – a 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; and commentary with Nigel Kneale and film critic Kim Newman
• The Stone Tape is also available to watch on Prime Video (Affiliate Link)
• 101 Films also released a limited edition DVD of The Stone Tape, which quickly sold out on their web site, which includes the full length commentary featuring writer Nigel Kneale and film critic Kim Newman
With thanks to Ian Wheeler
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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Recently rewatched this as a 50-something having first been traumatized by it as a 12 year old. It held up really well. I’d forgotten there’s also a slightly surreal, comedic sub-plot with obnoxious ad-agency tenants insisting on fair access to the mansion. Looking forward to the re-mastered version.