Robin Hood, A War of Children, The Shawshank Redemption, Asylum, Mr & Mrs Smith: films on TV today

BARRY NORMAN: FILM OF THE DAY
Robin Hood ★★★
9.00-11.45pm Film Four

Director Ridley Scott gives us Robin Hood as you’ve never seen him before. As played by Russell Crowe he is no dashing Errol Flynn but a dour mercenary, unemployed after the death in battle of King Richard. Maid – or Lady, as she is here – Marion (Cate Blanchett) is a bit of a surprise, too – no blushing maiden is she, but a doughty fighter protecting her land. This, in fact, is the story of Robin before he became an outlaw and folk hero. Of course, Marion and Robin get together but it’s never easy, what with the machinations of wicked Prince John (Oscar Isaac) and the even wickeder Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong) plotting with the French to conquer England. Oh, it’s a devious and complex plot, studded with rousing action and ending with a terrific battle on the beaches. Crowe and Blanchett are always good but Strong steals the movie.

A War of Children ★★★★
1.00-3.00pm True Entertainment

Tensions rise between the Catholic Tomeltys and the Protestant McCullums in Northern Ireland when one of the daughters falls in love with a British Soldier.

The Shawshank Redemption ★★★★★
9.00-11.55pm ITV2

This life-affirming 1940s-set prison drama makes for absorbing viewing as Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman learn to survive the hell of a long stretch.

Asylum ★★★
9.00-10.50pm Horror Channel

Four patients in a mental asylum share their terrifying tales, featuring split personalities, a magic suit, killer robots and dismembered, reanimated limbs.

Mr & Mrs Smith ★★★
11.00pm-1.25am 5★

Undercover assassins Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie put the spark back into their marriage when they are assigned to bump each other off.

It's here! Buy your copy of Radio Times Guide to Films 2016 from the RT shop