The Depraved

During a night journey, US Army captain Dave Dillon's jeep breaks down near Croft House. He is admitted inside by Laura Wilton, and the uneasy atmosphere begins to build. He considers calling his base for help but becomes entangled in the household's tension instead.

Tom inadvertently fuses the house lights, and Dave fixes the fusebox to restore power. The shock leaves Tom unconscious, prompting Laura to note the odd turn of events. Dave then helps Tom to bed as tensions between husband and wife rise.

Laura offers Dave the use of her car and asks him to post a letter for her the following day. The exchange hints at a growing reliance on Dave and adds a layer of dependency to the mounting tension. Dave agrees, unsure of what the next days will bring.

Before posting the letter at base camp, Dave glances at the address: Tonio Rossi Esq, care of an employment agency. The glimpse hints at Tonio's possible connection to the household and foreshadows a hidden strand in the plot. The moment tightens the mystery surrounding the Wiltons and their servants.

The next evening, Tom confronts Dave, suggesting that Dave's wartime experiences have turned him into a murderous animal. He pulls a gun to demonstrate his theory, heightening the danger in Croft House. Dave leaves the scene angry but begins to consider a dangerous plan.

Dave returns with a party invitation, continuing to plot and weighing a way to use the social event to his advantage. Laura's presence becomes central as their alliance tightens in secret. The mood is calculating and tense.

A party is organized at the officers club for local villagers, providing a social veneer that masks the underlying deceit. Guests mingle while the couple's plans simmer beneath the surface. The social event acts as a catalyst for the impending crime.

In the secrecy surrounding the household, Dave and Laura begin an affair, mixing desire with danger. Their relationship fuels jealousy, risk, and a shared sense of desperation. The affair becomes a driving force behind the looming crime.

Laura suggests that Dave could murder Tom and that they could become rich, testing the boundaries of loyalty and greed. Dave leaves in anger but soon returns with a concrete plan to kill Tom during the party night and stage it as a drunk-driving incident. The idea marks a clear turn toward irreversible action.

On the night of the party, Tom is murdered and his car is dumped in the river. A passing local discovers the body the next morning, triggering a formal police investigation. The evidence begins to mount against those connected to the Wiltons.

Inspector Flynn leads the inquiry as the case narrows around the two leads. Laura's car is spotted by an AWOL soldier, complicating their alibis. Dave's gambling debts and prior denials about Tom become focal points in the investigation.

Major Kellaway visits Croft House and finds Laura with Tonio, reintroducing Tonio into the mystery. Laura accuses Dave of knowing Tom and of gambling debts, turning Dave into the prime suspect. Tensions rise as personal betrayals intersect with legal scrutiny.

In a fit of defiance, Dave attacks Kellaway and steals a jeep in a bid to reach Croft House. He returns with resolve to face Laura and the unraveling plot. The break from lawful conduct marks a peak in the characters' descent.

Dave finally confronts Laura and discovers she intends to leave the country to escape accountability. He races to stop her, bringing the story to a tense confrontation about loyalty, justice, and escape. The ending hinges on whether fate will pull them back or push them apart.