Film choice

How the West Was Won (1962) TCM, 4.40PM ★★★★

 An American epic in every sense – filmed in ultra-widescreen and possessing an unforgettable Alfred Newman score. How the West Was Won features more big names than your average Oscars ceremony: Gregory Peck, Henry Fonda, Debbie Reynolds and many more star as we follow four generations of one family, as they move west from New York state to the Pacific between 1839 and 1889.

The Way Back (2010) FILM4, 6.25PM ★★★

 Peter Weir succeeds in creating an ambitious and visually magnificent story based on Slavomir Rawicz’s 1956 book The Long Walk. The film begins with a betrayal. A Polishman called Janusz (Jim Sturgess) is hauled up by Russian troops who accuse him of being a spy. He ends up at a brutal labour camp populated by rebels, and along with a motley crew (including Colin Farrell) hatches plans for an escape.

Reservoir Dogs (1992) ITV4, 10.15PM ★★★★★

 Quentin Tarantino’s directing debut became a notable cult success, re-adrenalising the gangster film. Even though it’s heartless and violent, it’s brilliantly written and extremely entertaining. A failed robbery has consequences for the thugs whose colour-coded pseudonyms include Mr White (Harvey Keitel), Mr Pink (Steve Buscemi) and Mr Orange (Tim Roth). Michael Madsen and Chris Penn are among the suporting cast.