Film choice

Tangled (2010) CHANNEL 4, 4.30PM ★★★

It would’ve been a mistake for Disney to mock its own fairy-tale legacy. So the premise is treated with playfulness instead. Rapunzel (Mandy Moore) is a frustrated teenager up locked in a tower. Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi) is a vain bandit, who she detains, setting us up for a perfect opposites-attract love story. The supporting characters – Maximus, an overzealous horse, and a shy chameleon – are particular highlights.

Far from the Madding Crowd (2015) BBC ONE, 8.05PM ★★★★★

Carey Mulligan is on fine form as Bathsheba Everdene in this excellent adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s beloved novel. It’s Victorian Dorset, and the headstrong Bathsheba has attracted three different suitors. Michael Sheen is both hilarious and tragic as one of her rebuffed suitors. The others are Matthias Schoenaerts and Tom Sturridge. The real star of the film, however, is the picturesque countryside.

Tommy (1975) BBC TWO, 12.35AM ★★★

Ken Russell’s film is based on The Who’s 1969 rock opera album which put them firmly back on the musical map with sales of 20 million. It tells the story of a “deaf, dumb and blind boy”, here played by lead singer Roger Daltrey, who becomes the Pinball Wizard, threatening the local champ (Elton John). This adaptation of Pete Townshend’s vision is as excessive as the world of rock that it pays tribute to.