25 – 31 MAY 2024

Sunday is the 117th anniversary of the birth of John Wayne and Great Action (Channel 42) is showing four of his films. Three are standard; the fourth (and first on) is more interesting (see below). Also this week, look out for several documentaries on D-Day and, Wednesday evening, all five episodes of the classic Boys from the Blackstuff on BBC 4.
CLOSE (2022) Saturday 25 May 9.00-10.40pm BBC 4    P             
One of last season’s successes makes its terrestrial debut. It’s a superbly judged drama about a friendship between two teenage boys that goes awry. In its quiet, very effective way, I think it could lay serious claim to being the best we showed – although the audience reaction (82%) didn’t go quite that far!
THE BIG TRAIL (1930) Sunday 26 May 11.00am-1.30pm Great Action (Channel 42)              
Such was the authentic look of this epic wagon-train saga, when glass plates from the film were found a few years ago some thought they were original to the period. And, whilst the dialogue and the sound recording now seem primitive, there are some stunning set pieces. It was filmed in the revolutionary 70mm Grandeur process, but cinemas couldn’t afford to upgrade their equipment. Consequently, it was a box-office flop and its new star – John Wayne – spent years (and 80 films) in Poverty Row, before hitching a ride on Stagecoach (1939). And how effectively did he make the transition from swing gang and bit parts to lead actor? Pretty well, actually – some of his line delivery is awkward, but the physical presence and ease of movement were already present. Note the scene where, effortlessly, he picks up Marguerite Churchill like she weighed nothing at all.
TENET (2020) Sunday 26 May 10.20pm-12.20am BBC 2    P             
Director Christopher Nolan is definitely flavour of the month after Oppenheimer and the BBC is showing several of his films this week. Tenet is a sci-fi puzzle involving an arms dealer (Kenneth Branagh) who can change time itself. Mr Nolan is one of a handful whose work can ease audiences away from streaming platforms and into a cinema and, in 2024, we need this more than ever.