TV FILMS of the week
1
GREAT EXPECTATIONS TODAY, BBC2, 2pm
There have been plenty of film adaptations of Charles Dickens’ novel, but this one is by far and away the best. John Mills heads an excellent cast, with director David Lean creating the perfect atmosphere and setting. For the uninitiated, this classic tells the story of orphan Pip, who falls in love with the adopted daughter of an eccentric old woman. A mysterious benefactor provides him with the opportunity to rise through the ranks of London’s high society. However, he soon forgets all about his humble roots, and isn’t prepared when he discovers the truth about the girl he loves and the stranger funding his new life.
2
EDDIE THE EAGLE Tomorrow, Channel 4, 3.30pm
Since he was a boy, Eddie (Taron Egerton, left) has driven his father Terry (Keith Allen) to distraction with a burning desire to compete in the Olympics. He discovers a loophole in the rulebook that would allow him to become Britain’s first representative at the Winter Olympics in the ski jump since 1929. Eddie the Eagle is an unabashedly crowd-pleasing delight for all ages.
3
MOANA Monday, BBC1, 3.05pm
Moana (voiced by Auli’i Cravalho) is the daughter of Chief Tui and has been groomed since birth to lead her people on the island of Motunui. However, Moana’s grandmother Tala fills the girl’s head with wild stories about the demi-god Maui, who stole the heart of the island goddess Te Fiti and lost a precious green stone. Moana is a joyful rites-of-passage adventure from Disney.
4
SAVING MR BANKS Tuesday, BBC1, 2.45pm
Australian-born British novelist PL Travers, who penned the series of books on which the film Mary Poppins was based, famously rebuffed Walt Disney’s efforts to purchase the rights for more than 20 years. That infamous tug-of-war is recreated here in an elegant and witty comedy emboldened by tour-de-force performances from Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, left.
5
CRAZY RICH ASIANS Wednesday, BBC1, 10.35pm
New York University lecturer Rachel Chu (Constance Wu, left) is invited by her boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) to Singapore to attend the wedding of his friends. Rachel is unaware that Nick is the golden boy of Singapore’s wealthiest dynasty headed by matriarch Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh), who expects her boy to marry into money. Crazy Rich Asians is a frothy romantic comedy.
6
CINDERELLA Thursday, BBC1, 3.15pm
Kenneth Branagh’s live-action version of the fairytale doesn’t skimp on the magic. Ella (Lily James, left) is consigned to the kitchen by her stepmother Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett) and brattish stepsisters. She escapes and catches the eye of the dashing Prince (Richard Madden), who must pick a bride at the behest of the dying King (Derek Jacobi). So, the Prince throws a lavish ball...
7
FROZEN
Christmas Eve, BBC1, 1.30pm
Perfect festive family viewing. Kristen Bell voices princess Anna who sets off to rescue her estranged sister Elsa (Idina Menzel) whose powers have trapped the kingdom in an eternal winter. Frozen is one of the best animated features to canter out of the Disney stable in years. Bell and Menzel add vim to their heroines, the latter singing the film’s stunning Let It Go.