MIKE WARD’S SMALL SCREEN

DARKEST HOUR (PG)

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A BARELY recognisable Gary Oldman won a stack of awards, including the Best Actor Oscar, for his portrayal of Winston Churchill.

He showed our wartime Prime Minister stubbornly refusing to back down and negotiate a compromise deal with Nazi Germany, even when it looked as if Hitler’s forces were on the brink of an attempted invasion.

It is ultimately a film about Britain remaining resolute against unspeakable evil, drawing strength from a leader who wasn’t exactly the embodiment of political correctness.

With Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James co-starring.

THE DAM BUSTERS (PG)

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AND while we’re on the subject, this classic war film from 1955 is out again, all polished up, to mark the 75th anniversary of the real-life mission that inspired it.

THE MERCY (12)

(Download, DVD and Blu-ray) COLIN Firth stars in the true story of Donald Crowhurst, a troubled businessman and amateur sailor who in 1968 embarked on the most crazily ambitious mission.

Crowhurst insisted he could defy the odds and win the very first non-stop single-handed round-the-world yacht race – his plan being to use the prize fund to keep his business afloat.

With not just his home but his very livelihood at stake, a hopelessly unprepared Crowhurst leaves behind his wife (Rachel Weisz) and their kids and sets out on a boat that isn’t even finished yet. Not surprisingly, the madness of his mission soon hits home, and the guy knows he’s in terrible trouble.

But what should he do? Press on, and there’s every chance he’ll die. But turning back would mean financial ruin.

FRED (15)

(Download and DVD)

REMEMBER Jamie Foreman, the bloke who played EastEnders hardnut Derek Branning?

This eye-opening documentary is about his dad, real-life 60s gangster Freddie Foreman.

Freddie was an associate of the infamous Kray Twins who was accused of more than 40 murders.

Now 86 and in poor health, he looks back on his, er, colourful past, heading back to some old haunts and pondering the factors that drove him to a life of violent crime.