Film choice

Dial M for Murder (1954) BBC TWO, 1.15PM ★★★★

It’s not quite on the same plane of brilliance as Vertigo, but Hitchcock’s adaptation of Frederick Knott’s stage play is still a briskly efficient exercise in suspense. Tony Wendice (Ray Milland) is trying to have his socialite wife Margot (Grace Kelly) murdered, after she has an affair with a writer. When Tony’s first plan fails, he dreams up another that’s even more devious. This Sporting Life (1963) LONDON LIVE, 8.00PM ★★★★★

It’s Yorkshire accents and monochrome realism as Richard Harris goes down the mines, plays rugby and has an affair. As an uncompromising portrait of male attitudes, Lindsay Anderson’s stunning adaptation of David Storey’s novel is like a punch to the gut, and a direct antecedent of Scorsese’s Raging Bull. Rachel Roberts (star of earlier kitchen sink drama Saturday Night and Sunday Morning) co-stars. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) CHANNEL, 2.20PM ★★★★★

Mild-mannered Walter Mitty’s life is controlled by his overbearing mother. He finds his escape by imagining himself living in the worlds pictured on the covers of Life magazine and becoming a pilot, a sea captain and couturier. Ben Stiller directs and stars in this loose revamping of the James Thurber’s story: the result is a flawed but still entertaining and enjoyable adventure. Kristen Wiig co-stars.