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Our movie guy, James Finnegan, on some really good films shown on RTE and TG4 this week…although a little frustratingly, a couple are on at the same time…
In chronological order, first is Cool Hand Luke (Saturday TG4 9.20pm), a prison drama starring Paul Newman in the title role of Luke.
He is a decorated war vet who after a drunken escapade, is sentenced to two years on a chain gang in a Florida prison camp.
Luke decides to buck the system on both sides – the prison system run by the Warden, known as the Captain (Strother Martin), Walking Boss Godfrey (Morgan Woodward) and Carr (Clifton James) as well as the pecking order among the prisoners and their leader Dragline (an Oscar-winning performance by George Kennedy).
Continued below…
Luke also embarks on a series of escape attempts which do not always end well. This is a classic film that is well worth watching, although you may never enjoy a boiled egg the same way again.
Typical! You wait weeks for a prisoner escape film, and then two come together, within minutes of each other!
The Fugitive (Saturday RTE2 9.30pm) is the film version of the 1960’s television series. Dr Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) is falsely convicted of the murder of his wife.
He has to escape and go on the run to find the real guilty culprit, a mysterious one armed man.
Unfortunately for Kimble, he is being chased by a dogged and determined US Marshal Samuel Gerard played by an Oscar winning Tommy Lee Jones. Suffice to say that the good Doctor is a resourceful and inventive man on a mission, and he manages a series of near escapes that make for very entertaining Saturday evening viewing.
Brooklyn (Saturday RTE1 9.55pm) has no escaping prisoners to the best of my recollection, unless you count someone leaving home to make a new life for themselves.
Ellis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) is a young woman from a small town in southeast Ireland. She lives with her mother and sister, Rose. Unable to find full time work, Rose arranges for Ellis to go to New York.
Unfortunately, Ellis finds it hard and lonely to adjust to her new life stateside, and her sisters letters make her even more homesick. However, when she meets Tony, she begins to adapt to New York life.
Unfortunately sad news comes from home, and Ellis must return home, but not before making a significant commitment to Tony.
However, her life back in Ireland brings her new opportunities but also familiar constrictions. Whom will she choose? You will have to watch to find out.
Just a quick recommendation for BlacKkKlansman (Monday TG4 9.30pm) an amazingly true story of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) an African –American police officer who attempts to infiltrate and expose the local Ku Klux Klan with the aid and assistance of his Jewish partner “Flip” Zimmerman played by Adam Driver. A great Spike Lee award winning film. Enjoy and stay safe!
I don’t even have RTE/TG4.
The Irish broadcasting system is an overpriced underperforming state controlled propaganda machine run by cronies for the elites of Ireland.
The people should not be forced to pay for this rubbish.