The Runestone

Proof of what a talented group of people can do with standardized material if they treat it with intelligence, THE RUNESTONE is quite a pleasant surprise, a deft and intriguing low-budget horror item that deserved much better handling than it received.

The title refers to a Norse relic discovered in a Pennsylvania mine that is covered with inscrutable lettering and features a horrific carving of a monster in its center. Brought back to New York City, the runestone begins to have a profound effect on Martin Almquist (Mitchell Laurance), the archaeologist who is keeping the discovery in his loft. Pretty soon he vanishes, and soon thereafter, a series of mutilation...