Saturday (10/9) 13:10 BBC2
The 39 Steps (1935)
The most celebrated British director Alfred Hitchcock was arguably still honing his skills in 1935, this may not quite deliver the enduring evergreen quality of some of his later classics, but is still an engrossing, well made mystery thriller, with some of the master's trademark suspense, and could arguably be a blueprint for North by Northwest. The story follows two strangers (Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll) one of which has been falsely accused of a public killing, who must travel cross country to find the meaning of a plot about military secrets and the mysterious sounding '39 Steps', which should hold the key to a brace of murders.
Saturday (10/9) 14:35 BBC2
The Lady Vanishes (1938)
This is the film that brought Hitchcock his way into Hollywood under the wing of David O. Selznick. From the gorgeous opening shot, the film is a triumph of visual control and plot, and set Hitch on track to making some of the greatest, most arresting amd enduring films of all time. When an elderly lady vanishes on a train trip through the picturesque Europe, her travel companion is told she only imagined her presence, but suspects foulplay and teams up with another passenger to expose the truth.
Monday (12/9) 21:00 Film4
A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (2019)
Mellow drama about the much loved US children's entertainer, daytime TV host and personality Mr Rogers, an equivalent of whom we may not have this side of the pond. Hollyood go to everyman Tom Hanks is at his most soft-spoken and wise seeming to portrayal the man, whose kind and gentle persona may mask a more complex personal life. The story quietly and stoicly deals with his family life, and tries to portray some hidden darkness. For some it weaves a complex and engrossing tapestry of a man whose life was so important to so many others, but still may leave some cold and unsatisfied with it's reserved style.
Ron Howard brings the 1976 Formula One season to the big screen, examining the legendary fued between the supremely methodical and precise Austrian Niki Lauda (played by Daniel Bruhl) and the fun-loving British playboy James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth). The two eventually became great friends, but not before the title went right to the wire, with their personal and professional differences making headlines through the sport. F1 fans and others should appreciate the great human interest story and the high octane racing sequences, with music from Hans Zimmer.
Friday (16/9) 21:05 Talking Pictures
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
The original, seminal zombie horror from George A. Romero, whose name has since became synonymous with them. The concept of a small group of strangers stuck in a house together, defending against the marauding hordes of undead, may seem a simple stalwart now, but was revolutionary at the time, and became a formula that has since been redone countless times. An exceedingly straight forward premise, executed wonderfully, and still packs a punch, especially a certain shocking moment in the basement. A vital stop in the evolutionary timeline of horror cinema.
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