The Night Digger 1971

In this intense drama, Maura Prince (Patricia Neal) balances her part-time role as a speech therapist with the demanding responsibility of caring for her blind and invalid mother, Edith (Pamela Brown). The situation changes dramatically with the unexpected arrival of Billy Jarvis (Nicholas Clay), who ingratiates himself with Edith by playing on her emotions. Claiming to be a long-lost relative, Billy quickly becomes a hard worker, which eases Maura’s initial skepticism into eventual trust.

As Billy settles into their lives, he becomes smitten with Mary Wingate (Diana Patrick), a charming young nursery school teacher. However, his brief infatuation is overshadowed by persistent dark forces from his past. One fateful night, Billy’s struggle with his demons culminates in a horrific act as he takes Mary’s life and buries her body at a construction site. This crime marks the seventh in a series of brutal murders that signal his inevitable downfall.

With each new tragedy, Maura grows increasingly anxious. A visit from a nurse, Joan (Brigit Forsyth), who alerts Edith to her fragile health, adds fuel to Billy’s mounting paranoia and aggression. His violent flashbacks become ever more frequent, leading him to commit another atrocity against Joan, who tragically meets the same grim fate.

As Edith’s health deteriorates after suffering a heart attack while attempting to reach Billy’s room, Maura rushes her to the hospital. There, Edith recovers just enough to urge Maura to expel Billy. However, instead of obeying her mother’s wishes, Maura opts for independence, choosing to distance herself from Edith and boldly venture out on her own.

Embracing her newfound freedom, Maura splurges on a chic new wardrobe and buys a farm in Scotland, envisioning a fresh start with Billy at her side. Unfortunately, their dream life is fleeting as Billy’s shadowy past reemerges. A chance encounter with a young woman looking for her lost dog sets off a series of events that ultimately lead to Billy’s tragic demise—an act of desperation that forever alters Maura’s life.