The Black Panther is a 1977 British crime film directed and produced by Ian Merrick, his first feature,[1] and stars Donald Sumpter, Debbie Farrington and Marjorie Yates.

Neilson is a strict family man, expecting complete obedience from his wife and daughter, while planning his next robberies and future kidnapping.

While collecting newspaper articles on his activities, Neilson reminisces on his time in the army, and prepares for the kidnapping of the wealthy heiress Lesley Whittle.

He drives her to Bathpool Park in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, where he takes her sixty feet underground into a reservoir drainage shaft system.

On 7 March, Lesley's body is found in Bathpool Park, and on 11 December 1975, Neilson is apprehended by two police officers after threatening them with a shotgun.

John Patterson of The Guardian commented that The Black Panther "emerges as a meticulous, tactful, well made and highly responsible true crime movie".