13 – 19 MAY 2023

This week, I’d like to start by reminding everyone that Sky Arts is on Freeview (Channel 11). Whilst a good deal of its content is music-linked, there is a lot for film lovers, too. There are frequent Discovering documentaries on major actors, an occasional feature-length documentary and a series that covers major directors. In addition they also programme something from TV’s early years such as the 1950s anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents. 
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD (2015) Saturday 13 May 8.05-10.00pm BBC 2         
It is highly likely that most members saw this adaptation on first run at the Regent, or on a previous TV showing; if neither, a pleasant evening awaits. Carey Mulligan is fine as Bathsheba (although memories of Julie Christie will not be dispelled!) and the locations used look fantastic. 
THE MAURITANIAN (2020) Sunday 14 May 10.00pm-12.05am BBC 2    P       
The Mauritanian is a drama with great credentials: Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) directs; Jodie Foster plays the defence attorney and Benedict Cumberbatch a US army prosecutor. The central character, Mohamedou Ould Slahi, was held, without charge, in Guantanemo from 2001 to 2016. Please note – there are some scenes of torture in this film.
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER Tuesday 16 May 10.00-11.30pm BBC 4    P           
This is an eye-opening documentary from Bat-dor Ojalvo, who was given permission to film in a secretive Hasidic community in Galilee. The way in which he exposes Mohorosh, an influential Rabbi who died in 2015, is riveting. 
A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA (1946) Wednesday 17 May 3.00-4.45pm TP (Channel 82)         
Whilst it doesn’t come close to equalling the sublime comedy of Duck Soup or A Night at the Opera, any Marx Brothers is better than none. In this offering, Groucho is the manager of a hotel that seems to have an abundance of Nazi spies . . . . Alas, their frequent foil Margaret Dumont isn’t one of them. Her scenes with the boys were always to be treasured!