Film choice

Fairytale: A True Story (1997) 5STAR, 12.05PM ★★★

 Charles Sturridge (Brideshead Revisited) lyrically directs this family tale, based on the Cottingley Fairies – the true story of young cousins Elsie (Florence Hoath) and Frances (Elizabeth Earl), who, in 1917, produced photographs of a group of fairy-like creatures that they had taken in their garden. Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O’toole) and Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel) were among those who debated the authenticity of the images.

The Train (1964, b/w) FILM4, 4.40PM ★★★★

 Director John Frankenheimer pitches French resistance member Paul Labiche (Burt Lancaster) against German Colonel Franz von Waldheim (Paul Scofield) in this Second World War art-theft adventure that knocks spots off George Clooney’s misfiring The Monuments Men (2014). As the Germans retreat from Paris, Waldheim secures a train to bring back plundered masterpieces.

Die Hard 2 (1990) E4, 9.00PM ★★★

 Bruce Willis returns as humble-yet-invincible cop John Mcclane in this action film sequel. Once again, it falls to Mcclane to save the day (and a skyscraper full of executives, and an airport of hapless tourists) from terrorists. It’s not a patch on its 1988 predecessor, but it remains streets ahead of the more recent efforts from the franchise, and one-liners and violence abound. Yippee-ki-yay, indeed.