15 - 21 JUNE 2024

The European Championships will be underway as you read this. Not surprisingly new – or interesting – films are not much in evidence although an old friend makes his debut Sunday evening.
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (1966) Saturday 15 June 1.55-3.50pm BBC 2             
The only surprise is that Radio Times gives it 4* and not 5*. Fred Zinnemann’s adaptation of Robert Bolt’s play was one of the best films of the 1960s, and is still one of the most absorbing historical dramas to be put on screen. It won six Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor. Paul Scofield fully deserved his award for his portrayal of Sir Thomas More, but there are at least half-a-dozen fine performances to savour. The later version with Charlton Heston is decent enough, but it doesn’t measure up to this cinema classic.
THE DUKE (2020) Sunday 16 June 9.00-10.30pm BBC 2    P             
 The BBC continues its run of our most successful films – unintentionally, I’m sure! The Duke was our final film of the 2021/2022 season and had the highest poll rating (93%). Jim Broadbent, you might remember, steals The Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery as part of his campaign against the TV licence fee.
FLEE (2021) Tuesday 18 June 10.00-11.25pm BBC 4    P             
Flee is one we didn’t programme but, perhaps, should have because it is rather a unique enterprise. The best description might be animated documentary. It is based on the true story of a gay Afghan man who managed to escape from Kabul in 1989 and, after a hazardous journey across Europe, was finally able to make his home in Denmark.