FILM PICKS

TODAY

The Searchers (1956) (BBC2, 1.50pm)

Embittered American Civil War veteran Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) is horrified when a Native American tribe kills his brother and sister-in-law and kidnaps their daughter Debbie (Natalie Wood). He becomes obsessed with tracking down his missing niece and is joined in his quest by the family’s adopted son Martin (Jeffrey Hunter). But the longer Debbie stays with the tribe, the more she will adjust to their way of life, leaving Martin worried about what exactly Ethan is planning to do if they find her. John Wayne and director John Ford made many classic Westerns together, but this brooding, visually stunning movie is arguably the finest of their collaborations.

MONDAY

Kes (1969) (Talking Pictures TV, 9pm)

Bullied at school, ignored by his mother and abused by his older brother, Billy (David Bradley), a shy lad from a Yorkshire mining town, escapes the pain caused by his dysfunctional family and vindictive teachers when he tames and trains a kestrel. Just as it looks as if his life has been given new meaning, disaster strikes. Ken Loach’s adaptation of Barry Hines’s novel is one of the great classics in British film history. While the final scenes will leave you blubbing like a baby, there are also some moments of sheer comedy, particularly when Brian Glover takes to the field and effortlessly sends up every PE teacher who never made it as a soccer star.

TUESDAY

The Workshop (2017) (BBC2, 11.15pm)

Successful novelist Olivia Dejazet (Marina Fois) agrees to host a writing workshop for teenagers. She encourages participants to draw upon their personal stories and the history of the town to create a thriller for publication. At first, the culturally and economically diverse teenagers trade ideas about characters and scenarios for their book. Olivia is inextricably drawn to one boy, Antoine (Matthieu Lucci), who demonstrates a penchant for wanton violence in his writing. She begins to investigate the young man and uncovers evidence that he watches right-wing videos and is inspired by their destructive messages.

THURSDAY

The Apartment (1960) (BBC4, 9.50pm)

Lonely clerk CC Baxter (Jack Lemmon) comes up with an unusual way to climb the career ladder – he lends his apartment to his superiors to use for their extramarital liaisons. However, while he may be promised promotions, he starts to have misgivings when he falls for the charms of elevator operator Fran (Shirley MacLaine), who turns out to be having an affair with Baxter’s smarmy boss. Directed by Billy Wilder, this comedy drama is genuinely funny and frequently poignant, but also has plenty of satirical bite.