The Road Builder (1971)

豆知識

The Night Digger is a 1971 British horror thriller film directed by Alastair Reid and starring Patricia Neal, Pamela Brown and Nicholas Clay. The screenplay was by Roald Dahl based on the novel Nest in a Fallen Tree by Joy Cowley, about two women who are visited by a suspicious handy man.

Production

Roald Dahl wrote the script especially for his wife Neal, who was recovering from a series of strokes that almost killed her in 1965. He sent the script to a number of directors including Lindsay Anderson, William Friedkin, Lindsay Russell and Robert Altman. Eventually he chose Alistair Reid, who had worked extensively in theatre and television.

Patricia Neal later wrote "I received no salary for it. It simply would not have been made had I demanded anything close to my fee. Both Roald and I took expenses only, but would have shared in the profits had there been any."

Dahl struck a deal with Yongestreet Productions, who raised money from MGM. The producers insisted he fire his attached producer, Allen Hodshire. Producer Norman Powell, son of actor Dick Powell, came aboard instead.

It was the first film for Nicholas Clay after his extensive stage experience.

Filming started 28 September 1970 and took eight weeks. It mostly took place at Twickenham Studios, in Cornwall, and in an old mansion on the way to Windsor Castle. Neal was accompanied during filming by Valerie Griffith, who had helped her recover from the stroke. Neal wrote "It was a very difficult picture for me.

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