First broadcast by the BBC on Christmas Day 1972, Nigel Kneale's The Stone Tape was given a repeat the following October but apart from the occasional archive showing, this is its first official outing in nearly thirty years.

It's also rather appropriate that its release involves a (relatively) new format since the search for a new recording and playback medium is at the heart of the story.

This search takes place as Taskerlands, a recently acquired mansion owned by Ryan Electrics, where a small research team lead by Peter Brock (Michael Bryant) is charged with developing something to beat the Japanese. Well, it's either that or the intelligent washing machine being developed by his arch-rival Crawshaw.

On their arrival, the team discover that the computer room required by Jill Greeley (Jane Asher) to help collate data from the team's separate experiments isn't ready. In fact, as Roy Collinson (Iain Cuthbertson) tells them, work hasn't even been started after the builders put it down as a "dirty job."

Brock wants to know why and proceeds to rip the panelling from the wall, uncovering a previously hidden stone staircase which doesn't appear to lead anywhere. Adding to the mystery are the tins of spam left by American GIs and a child's letter from the turn of the century.

When the psychically sensitive Jill sees a ghost, Brock is determined to discover what makes it "tick", pushing his team beyond breaking to find out what's hidden in the very fabric of the building.

To say anything else about the story itself would merely give away unnecessary spoilers and in any case, it's difficult to do justice to the storyline in a few short paragraphs. Suffice to say, Kneale's script (which is also included on the DVD) is well paced and Peter Sasdy's direction is superb. However, it's the acting that undoubtedly helped The Stone Tape remain in the minds of those who saw it back in the early 70s, with excellent performances from Bryant, Asher and Cuthbertson in particular.

For a programme made on videotape 30 years ago, the picture quality is excellent - no need for the "archive programming" warning that the BBC have had to put on videos in the past. Similarly, for a programme of this age, the extras included are up to expectations - downloadable scripts of The Stone Tape and The Road (which no longer exists), some brief on-screen filmographies and a commentary by Kneale and Kim Newman. If there's a fault with the release it would be Kneale's tendency to go off-topic (although Newman does his best to steer him back) and it's perhaps more of an interview about The Stone Tape than a commentary to accompany the action.

However, this is a very minor quibble, and thirty years on, The Stone Tape still holds up well, and should be a must-have for anyone interested in British SF/fantasy television. BACK TO THE TOP

THE STONE TAPE

Written by NIGEL KNEALE

Directed by PETER SASDY

Starring MICHAEL BRYANT,
JANE ASHER and
IAIN CUTHBERTSON

BFI

CERTIFICATE: PG

REGION: 0 (PAL)


RATING: 9/10