TV FILMS of the week

1

THE BFG

Today, BBC1, 3.45pm

Orphan Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is snatched from her bed by a hooded

24ft-tall figure, who introduces himself as the Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance). The BFG wouldn’t normally kidnap a ‘chiddler’, but he explains that he was fearful Sophie might yodel the news that she had seen a giant. A tender friendship is forged between Sophie and her kind-hearted abductor, who is bullied by his fellow giants. In order to rid Giant Country of these man-gobblers, Sophie hatches a hare-brained scheme. The BFG is a gloriumptious rendering of Roald Dahl’s fantasy.

2

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S

Tomorrow, GREAT! movies classic, 9pm

A struggling writer (George Peppard) moves into a New York apartment building, and takes a shine to his neighbour Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn, left), an eccentric party girl who is looking for love – preferably with somebody rich. However, he realises she may not be quite the outrageous free spirit she would have everyone believe.

3

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET Tuesday, ITV4, 10pm

In the aftermath of Black Monday, Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio, left) loses his Wall Street job and is forced to sell penny stocks. Blessed with the gift of the gab, Jordan excels and opens his own firm with salesman Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill). The dodgy business soon attracts the attentions of FBI Agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler).

4

THE FISHER KING

Wednesday, GREAT! movies classic, 9pm

Jack Lucas (Jeff Bridges) is a superstar talk radio DJ. After advising an unhinged fan to wipe out a yuppie watering hole, Jack is shocked when the madman obliges. Following months of regret, Lucas is saved from a gang of thugs by tramp Parry (Robin Williams, left). The men’s fates are intertwined, leading Jack to try making amends.

5

MONSTERS AND MEN Thursday, Film4, 9pm

Drama about the police shooting of an AfricanAmerican man, told from three contrasting perspectives. They include local resident Manny Ortega (Anthony Ramos), who captures the incident on camera, undercover cop Dennis Williams (John David Washington, left) and high school student Zyrick (Kelvin Harrison Jr).

6

MOONLIGHT

Friday, Channel 4, 12.35am

Oscar-winning drama following 12-year-old Chiron (Alex Hibbert), whose mother (Naomie Harris) is a slave to her drug habit. This drives Chiron into the arms of dealer Juan (Mahershala Ali, left with Hibbert). Chiron grows into an awkward 16-year-old (Ashton Sanders) and recognises his attraction to best friend Kevin (Jharrel Jerome).

7

GLADIATOR

Saturday, ITV, 10.35pm

Roman epic from director Ridley Scott. Maximus (Russell Crowe, left) is a general and the adopted heir of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). The latter’s weasel-like son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) murders his old man, then exiles our hero after killing his wife and son. Maximus trains as a gladiator and fights to avenge his loved ones.