Our movie guy, James Finnegan, on some of the films on TV today and tonight…
Our movie guy, James Finnegan, on some of the films on TV today and tonight…I don’t know if it is a reflection on all the sport being shown, but there is a decided military air over the films being shown this weekend
The Great Escape (Saturday 2.35pm RTE One) directed by John Sturges, is a gripping World War II drama starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough. Elmer Bernstein’s rousing score perfectly matches the film’s adventurous spirit.
It tells the true story of Allied prisoners plotting a daring mass escape from a German POW camp.
The film involves tense planning, moments of humour, and heartbreaking consequences. McQueen’s motorcycle chase is unforgettable, and the ensemble cast delivers charm and grit.
It is an enduring classic that celebrates courage, ingenuity, and the unbreakable will to be free.
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Death on the Nile (Saturday 9.45pm RTE One) directed by John Guillermin, is a lavish Agatha Christie adaptation with an all-star cast including Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot, Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, David Niven, and Angela Lansbury.
The lush soundtrack by Nino Rota perfectly complements the sweeping Egyptian scenery.
The film follows Poirot as he investigates the murder of a wealthy heiress during a Nile cruise. The story blends glamour, jealousy, and suspense, with each character hiding secrets.
It is a stylish, slow-burn mystery that rewards patient viewers with a satisfying and clever resolution.
Military Wives (Saturday 9.35pm Channel Four) directed by Peter Cattaneo, stars Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan, with a heartfelt score by Lorne Balfe.
Inspired by true events, it follows a group of women on a military base who form a choir while their partners serve overseas.
What begins as a tentative hobby grows into a powerful source of friendship, resilience, and national attention.
The chemistry between Thomas and Horgan feels genuine, and the music lifts the story beautifully. It is uplifting, funny, and quietly moving.
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Black Hawk Down (Saturday 10pm TG4) directed by Ridley Scott, is an intense war drama featuring Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and Tom Sizemore. The gripping soundtrack, composed by Hans Zimmer, adds a haunting pulse to the film’s relentless pace.
The story follows a 1993 U.S. military mission in Mogadishu that spirals into a desperate fight for survival after two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down.
The film’s raw realism, chaotic battle sequences, and emotional weight make it both harrowing and unforgettable.
Sophie’s Choice (Saturday 11pm Virgin Media Three), directed by Alan J. Pakula, is a haunting drama starring Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, and Peter MacNicol. The evocative score by Marvin Hamlisch deepens the film’s emotional weight.
Meryl Streep won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her extraordinary performance as Sophie, a Polish immigrant in post-war Brooklyn.
The story follows aspiring writer Stingo as he befriends Sophie and her volatile lover Nathan, gradually uncovering Sophie’s harrowing past in Nazi-occupied Poland.
The film is beautifully acted, deeply moving, and lingers in the mind long after the credits roll, offering a powerful meditation on love, trauma, and survival. Enjoy!
