Sandy Harbutt (born 1941) is an Australian actor, writer and director, best known for his biker movie, Stone (1974). Although it was very successful at the box office, this remains the only feature he has ever directed. He was once married to Helen Morse.[1]

Harbutt was born in Randwick, Sydney and studied law before turning to advertising and acting.

In the late 1970s Harbutt tried to get up a film adaptation of The Drums of Myrrh by Ion Idriess.[2]

In 2009 it was reported he was working on a bikie musical.[3]

Producer David Hannay who worked with Harbutt on Stone said the most "negative experience" he had as a filmmaker in a career of over three decades was not being able to make another film with the Harbutt:

Why have I failed? What is wrong with me? I have failed this person who is such an important part of my life, this person with enormous talent, this extraordinary human being, and I have failed him totally and absolutely. It really is the major low point in my life; if I really dwell on it, I get very angry.... I should have made a difference. Because I should have been able to make it happen. He is far more talented than 999 of the 1000 other people I know... You understand, of course, that he is his own producer. It is not a question of whether he would go to another producer. If he felt so inclined, he would. But, apart from anything else, Sandy needs somebody who is prepared to fold themselves into what he wants to do and be committed to that. That is something you would have to talk to him about.[4]

References

  1. ^ Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper, Australian Film 1900–1977: A Guide to Feature Film Production, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1998 p278
  2. ^ David Stratton, The Last New Wave: The Australian Film Revival, Angus & Robertson, 1980 p263
  3. ^ Alex Johnson, 'BAD SCENE: Movie turns sour for Brocklehurst', Warrnambool Standard, 20 June 2009 accessed 30 Sept 2012
  4. ^ HANNAY, DAVID: A PRODUCER, HIS DEMONS, HIS HEROES AND HIS HATES (PART 2) Urban Cinefile 15 June 2000 accessed 1 April 2014