Road Builder, The
Date: 1971
Director: Alastair Reid
Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer British Studios, Tacitus Productions, Yongestreet
Stars: Patricia Neal, Pamela Brown, Graham Crowden, Jean Anderson, Peter Salis, Yootha Joyce, Brigit Forsyth, Zoe Alexander, Nicholas Clay
Location(s): Berkshire, Cornwall, Northamptonshire
Region(s): Midlands, South East R-Z, South West
Storyline:
In their decaying mansion, a middle-aged spinster cares for her blind, domineering mother until a young stranger appears looking for work as a handyman.
Additional Information:
Screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
Also known as ‘The Night Digger’ (US Title)
Can you help:
If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.
We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required

Rain pours down on traffic as it passes below the window of a room where Maura Prince is teaching stroke victim Jane to speak.
- Capture 2
- 27 Mar 2022

Declining the offer of a full time job at the hospital, the spinster heads home to where her domineering mother Edith is waiting. Looking across at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Berkshire.

A clearer view of Windsor Castle taken by Steve Randall from. he thinks, the same position.
- Capture 3
- 27 Mar 2022

The rain continues as Maura's bus approaches the stop near home. Looking from Meadow Lane, Windsor with Atherton Court flats in the background.

Atherton Court flats today, in Steve Randall's closer shot.
- Capture 4
- 19 Feb 2022

Alighting from the bus, Maura walks the last few yards to The Towers. The often used Oakley Court on Windsor Road, Water Oakley in Berkshire.

Many changes with the greenhouse long gone. SJ
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required

With the light failing, Billy Jarvis (Nicholas Clay) rides through the downpour.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required

The rain diminishes as the friend of Geoff Bolton approaches The Towers. Meadow Lane, Windsor.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required

Riding past a motorway construction sign, Billy enters the driveway of the Prince's home to ask for work after Mr. Bolton's nephew let them down. Looking towards the gateway of Oakley Court on Windsor Road, Water Oakley with the Lodge inside the perimeter to the left. The location also features in 'Ghost of a Chance'.
- Capture 8
- 19 Feb 2022

Edith Prince (Pamela Brown) comes out of the decaying mansion. Oakley Court, Water Oakley in Berkshire.

Best taken a little later when the sun's swung around. SJ
- Capture 9
- 19 Feb 2022

On the roof, Billy Jarvis is already at work making repairs. Oakley Court can be seen in many productions including 'What the Butler Saw', 'The Gambler and the Lady', 'Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly', ‘The Man from Nowhere’, 'Oxford', ‘The Brides of Dracula’ and 'Witchcraft'.

The pots on the chimney stack have gone. SJ
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required

On Sunday at church, the Congregation sing 'Onward, Christian Soldiers'. Alan Bourke found St. Uny's church in Lelant near St. Ives in Cornwall which is confirmed by Paul Brennan and Duncan Hill discovered that the St. Ives Times & Echo announced on 12 November 1970 that Patricia Neal was scheduled to arrive in the area the following week to commence location shooting.
- Capture 11
- 15 Jun 2022

Following Reverend Palafox's sermon, Mrs. Millicent McMurtrey (Jean Anderson) catches up with Maura Prince (Patricia Neal) and her Mother as they leave. St. Michael’s church in Bray, Berkshire.

Steve Randall revisited the location.
- Capture 12
- 15 Jun 2022

Mr. Bolton (Graham Crowden) wishes the three ladies a "Good Morning". Looking across the grave yard at St. Michael’s church in Bray with the Vicarage in the right distance.

The scene now by Steve Randall.
- Capture 13
- 19 Feb 2022

The Congregation disperses as Edith lies to Mr. Bolton that Billy is a distant relation from Cheshire. Other views of St. Michael’s church can be seen in ‘Four Sided Triangle’, ‘There's a Girl in My Soup’, ‘Paranoiac’, ‘The Man from Nowhere’, ‘Happy is the Bride’ and ‘Death of an Angel’.

Taken later in the day. SJ
- Capture 14
- 08 Jul 2022

Edith asks where Mrs. Palafox is as she wants to discuss the bazaar. St. Michael’s church in Bray, Berkshire.

Antony Blair arrived in the churchyard 51 years later.
- Capture 15
- 15 Jun 2022

Across the churchyard Billy stares as Mary Wingate (Diana Patrick) gets into the Meadowbrook Nursery School minibus. The view from the church yard of St. Michael’s, Bray located by Steve Randall.

Unfortunately, the near headstone has toppled in Steve's proving shot.
- Capture 16
- 'Now' required

A flashback recalls Billy's youth and a time when he was raped by Gipsy Women on his way home from school.
- Capture 17
- 'Now' required

Arriving at Meadowbrook School one night, Billy makes his way inside before raping and killing Mary.
- Capture 18
- 'Now' required

At the nearby motorway construction site, Workmen cover up the evidence of Billy’s crime.
- Capture 19
- 19 Feb 2022

Birds sing as Edith sits reading a Braille book while Billy fixes a derelict arbour. Oakley Court on Windsor Road, Water Oakley.

A tad off-angle but the arbour was not fixed sufficiently to survive. SJ
- Capture 20
- 'Now' required

Describing what he's planted alongside the pathway, Billy leads Edith through the grounds of the house. Oakley Court in Berkshire.
- Capture 21
- 19 Feb 2022

The District Nurse (Brigit Forsyth) glances across at Billy as she leaves The Towers.

The greenhouses have made way for parking. SJ
- Capture 22
- 11 Sep 2022

Dr. Ronnie Robinson drives Maura home from hospital after her Mother suffers a heart attack while Billy tails the District Nurse following her evening visit to the house. With Burton Tailoring next door to Marks & Spencer, Andrew Price recognised the location as High Street in Slough, Berkshire.

Steve Randall returned to Slough's High Street.
- Capture 23
- 'Now' required

Frogmen search for the missing Nurse. Recognised by Phil Evans, this is the Temple on the bank of the Round Oval at Althorp Park in Northamptonshire.
- Capture 24
- 'Now' required

The camera pans right to reveal Police cars and and ambulance. The Round Oval at Althorp Park located by Phil Evans.
- Capture 25
- 27 Mar 2022

Maura crosses the road after a visit to Edith during which the old woman demands that Billy is sent away. High Street in Windsor, Berkshire with Thames Street in the background. Other views of Thames Street and High Street appear in 'The Stranger Left No Card', 'No Sex Please, We’re British', 'The Cherry Picker', 'The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins' and 'Carry On Loving'.

Steve Randall captures a fair weather view of Windsor High Street.
- Capture 26
- 27 Mar 2022

Leaving her Mother in tears after telling her that if Billy goes she will also go, Maura joins the queue at a bus stop. High Street, Windsor with the wall of St. John the Baptist churchyard to the left.

The bus stop has become a bus shelter in Steve Randall's view.
- Capture 27
- 28 Apr 2022

Maura spots a newspaper headline about the missing Nurse. High Street with St. John the Baptist church in the background.

The same background by Steve Randall.
- Capture 28
- 28 Apr 2022

Leaving the queue, Maura walks slowly away. The corner of High Street and Church Lane in Windsor with the Guildhall to the right.

Steve Randall captured the view on a drier day.
- Capture 29
- 'Now' required

Withdrawing all of her savings from the bank, Maura and Billy move to Cornwall. Facing north from the B3306, east of Vennor, Cornwall, towards Trevega Cliffs. Viewed from near the 'Eagles Nest', former home of artist Patrick Heron. (SD)
- Capture 30
- 'Now' required

Billy's motorbike leans against the side of a remote cottage. Veor Cottage, on the Carnelloe Cliff, Vennor, near to St. Ives, Cornwall. (SD)
- Capture 31
- 'Now' required

Maura comes out of the cottage into the yard where Billy is tending sheep. Veor Cottage, Vennor. (SD)
- Capture 32
- 'Now' required

After a hard day's work, the couple watch a beautiful sunset. Gurnard's Head, viewed from Carnelloe Cliff. (SD)
- Capture 33
- 'Now' required

The pair enjoy their blissful new life together. Carnelloe Cliff viewed from Porthglaze Cove. (SD)
- Capture 34
- 'Now' required

Walking along a cliff top path, Maura comes across Jenny (Jenny McCracken) who has lost her dog. Boswednack Cliff, facing Carnelloe Cliff. (SD)
- Capture 35
- 'Now' required

Jenny looks across at her house while explaining to Maura that her husband Danny is away at the market. Facing south west from Boswednack Cliff. The cottage is situated at Gurnard's Head, north of the hamlet of Treen. It is now a holiday cottage called Chy Barnett. (SD)
- Capture 36
- 'Now' required

Finding the cottage empty on her return, Maura walks along the cliffs. Zennor Head and Pendour Cove viewed from Carnelloe Cliff. (SD)

