TV FILMS of the week
1
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT Tonight, BBC2, 10pm
When a wealthy industrialist in found murdered in a Mississippi town, the racist local sheriff Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger) is quick to accuse black newcomer Virgil Tibbs (the late Sidney Poitier, on terrific form) who has been spotted in the town. However, he soon discovers that his chief suspect is actually a decorated homicide detective from Philadelphia. Despite this disastrous start, the pair work together to find the real killer, reaching a new respect along the way. Released in 1967 at the height of the US civil rights movement, director Norman Jewison’s drama won the Best Picture Oscar.
2
LADY MACBETH Tomorrow, BBC2, 11.15pm
Teenage bride Katherine (Florence Pugh, left) is consigned to a loveless marriage to a brute called Alexander (Paul Hilton). When he is unexpectedly called away, Katherine seeks out excitement with rebellious groomsman Sebastian (Cosmo Jarvis). The lovers soon forge a murderous pact to retain their lofty position in the household.
3
DATE NIGHT
Tuesday, 5STAR, 9pm
Claire (Tina Fey, left) and Phil Foster (Steve Carell) plan to re-inject some excitement into their marriage with a date night at a restaurant. The place is full, so they pose as another couple who booked a table, but failed to show up. They soon regret it, when they realise the people whose reservation they stole are in debt to gangsters.
4
THE RAILWAY MAN Wednesday, BBC1, 10.35pm
Second World War survivor Eric Lomax (Colin Firth) was held captive by the Japanese and used as slave labour to help build the infamous Death Railway from Thailand to Burma. As he confronts the horrors of his past and falls in love with Patti (Nicole Kidman, pictured with Firth), a former nurse who wants to help him through his trauma.
5
RIO BRAVO
Thursday, BBC4, 8pm
Small-town lawman Sheriff Chance (John Wayne, left) must keep a murderer behind bars until a marshal arrives to deal with him. It sounds simple enough, but the only people on the sheriff’s side are a drunk and an ageing deputy, while the prisoner’s brother is a rancher who will stop at nothing to break him out.
6
THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG Friday, Film4, 11.20pm
Young Ned Kelly (Orlando Schwerdt) learns to fend for himself under the tutelage of bush ranger Harry Power (Russell Crowe). As Ned (now played by George MacKay, left) comes of age, he forms a gang with his younger brother Dan (Earl Cave) and a couple of friends, and declares war on Constable Fitzpatrick (Nicholas Hoult).
7
MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL Saturday, Channel 4, 8.30pm
Years after Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones relinquished their neutralisers as Agents J and K in Men In Black 3, Chirs Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson (pictured) take up the mantle. They play sharply suited protectors of our galaxy, Agents H (Hemsworth) and M (Thompson), who tackle a mole in the MiB organisation.