FILM PICKS

TONIGHT Casablanca (1942) (BBC2, 4.20pm)

Even as the Second World War rages, Rick (Humphrey Bogart), the American owner of a popular Moroccan nightclub, prides himself on not getting involved with politics. However, his cynicism is put to the test when his old flame Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) needs his assistance to get her Czech resistance leader husband (Paul Henreid) out of Casablanca.

MONDAY Brassed Off (1996) (Film4, 11.30pm)

Pete Postlethwaite gives one of his most powerful performances as Danny, the ailing leader of a South Yorkshire colliery brass band who is determined to see his members compete in a prestigious music competition. He’s so obsessed, he fails to see why most of his musicians – including his cashstrapped son Phil (Stephen Tompkinson on top form) – are more concerned with the news that the pit is closing.

TUESDAY

All The Money In The World (2017) (Film4, 9pm)

On July 10, 1973, John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) is strolling through balmy night-time Rome when he is snatched off the street by balaclava-clad men. The abductors demand a $17million ransom by telephone from the boy’s mother, Abigail (Michelle Williams). Oil tycoon J Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer) refuses to plunder a single cent from his billion-dollar empire, coldly arguing that if he paid a ransom for one grandchild he would set a costly precedent. Instead, he hires former CIA agent and security consultant Fletcher Chace (Mark Wahlberg) to rescue the boy. Ridley Scott’s picture sustains dramatic tension with aplomb as David Scarpa’s script ricochets between the gang holding the boy hostage and the dysfunctional Getty family.

THURSDAY

Scarface (1983) (ITV4, 11.40pm)

Based on Howard Hawks’ 1932 noir thriller and with a screenplay by Oliver Stone, Brian De Palma’s violent, gripping Scarface chronicles the rise and fall of Tony Montana (Al Pacino), a lieutenant for powerful South Florida drug lord Frank Lopez (Robert Loggia) in the early 1980s. Tony harbours desires for Frank’s sultry mistress, Elvira (Michelle Pfeiffer), but is also strangely protective of his sister Gina. So much so, Tony would rather sacrifice his friendship with Manolo than allow romance to blossom between them. As Tony rises up the Florida food chain and slowly succumbs to the product he peddles, his downfall is assured.