THE STONE TAPE (1972) – Episode 227 – Decades of Horror 1970s

‘Before I forget, sir. Them conservation inspectors was here again. In there a long time, they was. They said there would be a summons. And before they went, one of them said, “Did you know about the room?”… Just that, sir. Just, “Did you know about the room?”’ Obviously, they didn’t know about the room. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they learn about the room in The Stone Tape (1972), a science fiction horror movie written by Nigel Kneale!

Decades of Horror 1970s
Episode 227 – The Stone Tape (1972)

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Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

Synopsis: A research team from an electronics company moves into an old Victorian house to start work on finding a new recording medium. When team member Jill Greeley witnesses a ghost, team director Peter Brock decides not only to analyze the apparition, which he believes is a psychic impression trapped in a stone wall (dubbed a “stone tape”) but also to exorcise it, with terrifying results.

• Directed by: Peter Sasdy
• Writing Credits: Nigel Kneale
• Produced by: Innes Lloyd (producer)
• Sound Department: Desmond Briscoe (special sound effects: BBC Radiophonic Workshop)
• Music Department: Desmond Briscoe (composer: electronic music) (uncredited)
• Selected Cast:
  • Michael Bryant as Peter Brock
  • Jane Asher as Jill Greeley
  • Iain Cuthbertson as Roy Collinson
  • Michael Bates as Eddie Holmes
  • Reginald Marsh as William Crawshaw
  • Tom Chadbon as Hargrave
  • John Forgeham as Maudsley
  • Philip Trewinnard as Stewart Jessop
  • James Cosmo as Cliff Dow
  • Neil Wilson as Sergeant Paterson
  • Christopher Banks as Vicar
  • Michael Graham Cox as Alan
  • Hilda Fenemore as Bar Helper
  • Peggy Marshall as Bar Lady
  • Derek Chafer as Man in Suit (uncredited)

Leave it to Grue-Believers to identify excellent films the Grue-Crew knows little or nothing about. Such is the case with The Stone Tape (1972), a BBC TV film written by Nigel Kneale, directed by Peter Sasdy, and shown on Christmas Day in 1972.

Kneale, as can be expected, weaves an excellent story, blending science fiction and supernatural elements that solidify a subgenre of ghost stories. The Stone Tape overcomes the expected shortcomings of videotaped production and 1972 special effects through story and performances. Michael Bryant, Jane Asher, Iain Cuthbertson, and Michael Bates ain’t no slouches. Thanks again to all those who recommended The Stone Tape. Your 70s Grue-Crew loves this movie!

At the time of this writing, The Stone Tape (1972) is available to stream from Shudder, AMC+, and PPV Amazon. The film is scheduled for a December 9, 2024 release as The Stone Tape (1972) (Limited Edition), a standard Blu-ray formatted disc from 101 Films.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode, chosen by Chad, will be The House of Seven Corpses (1974), starring John Ireland, Faith Domergue, and John Carradine. Yeah, baby! A haunted house, corpses, and ghosts!

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at [email protected].