The Three Musketeers, Possession, Holiday Affair, Sudden Impact, 2 Guns: films on TV today

There have been 30 odd live-action and animated film versions of the classic Alexandre Dumas swashbuckler — not to mention BBC1’s ongoing adaptation, now renewed for a third series. However, this entry from Paul WS Anderson (director of Resident Evil and last year’s Pompeii) was the first to be presented in 3D, proving that Athos, Aramis, Porthos and D’Artagnan have come a long way. Anderson injects anachronistic “steampunk” cool and blatant bits from The Matrix into the well-worn 17th-century milieu of the heroic French fencing quartet. Although we don’t expect much more than lithe action from a miscast Milla Jovovich, it’s dispiriting to see actors of the international calibre of Matthew Macfadyen, Christoph Waltz and Mads Mikkelsen locked in an unwinnable duel against fiery special effects and a cast of digitally multiplied thousands. However, stripped of its illusory 3D, the daft romp seems more palatable on your TV at home, so the fact that it bombed in cinemas may prove to be completely irrelevant.

Possession ★★
11.50pm-1.25am BBC1

Two romances blossom over a century apart but each threatens to consume the lovers involved. Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Ehle play the objects of affection.

Holiday Affair ★★★★
11.35am-1.20pm Movies4Men

Robert Mitchum reveals his softer side in this little Christmas gem from RKO. Scream queen Janet Leigh (Psycho) whispers sweet nothings…

Sudden Impact ★★★
9.00-11.25pm ITV4

Clint Eastwood grumpily growls his way through another Dirty Harry movie, on the trail of a killer at a seaside town. Or: the case of the misplaced stick of rock.

2 Guns ★★★★
9.00-11.05pm 4seven

Wahlberg and Washington are undercover cops in a caper that proves the old adage about two guns being better than one – or something like that.

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