TV listings

Reach for the Sky (1956, b/w) BBC TWO, 3.00PM; SCOTLAND, 3.20PM ★★★★★

Kenneth More stars in this Bafta award-winning film, based on events from the Second World War. Douglas Bader (More) is a remarkable RAF pilot who loses both of his legs in a flying accident. When war breaks out, he refuses to let his injuries stop him from promptly re-enlisting and becoming a Battle of Britain hero. The story retains its power today, and More’s performance steals the show.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) E4, 5.45PM ★★★

Mild-mannered Walter Mitty’s life is controlled by his overbearing mother. He escapes by imagining himself living in the worlds pictured on the covers of Life magazine and thereby becoming a pilot, sea captain and couturier. Ben Stiller directs and stars in this revamp of James Thurber’s classic short story: the result is a flawed but nevertheless entertaining adventure. Kristen Wiig, Sean Penn and Adam Scott co-star.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) CHANNEL 5, 9.00PM ★★★★★

In this big-budget reboot by director George Miller, Tom Hardy steps into Mel Gibson’s shoes to play the “road warrior”. Out in the desert of a dystopian future, Max is captured by a warlord’s men and imprisoned until he and mutinous soldier Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) seize a chance to flee. And so the chase begins… Hardy is burly and brooding, while Theron crackles with rage. Miller’s film is breathless, wild and gorgeously shot.