Timothy West stars as British prime minister Winston Churchill in this BBC drama focusing on the relationship with his generals during pivotal moments of the Second World War. Set in Churchill's Cabinet Office and War Rooms, the programme follows Britain's leader orchestrating the allied war effort alongside some of his influential appointments including Generals Montgomery (Ian Richardson) and Brooke (Eric Porter). Following America's decision to enter the conflict late in 1941, Churchill and his cabinet received the support of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Arthur Hill) and his trusted generals, Marshall (Joseph Cotten) and Eisenhower (Richard Dysart).

A double-bill of sci-fi horror. In John Carpenter's 'The Thing' (1982), a research team in the Antarctic, led by R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell), discovers a spaceship buried beneath the ice, and becomes terrorised by the shape-changing monster that is housed within. In the 2011 prequel, the action is set on a research site in Antarctica three days before the action of the original story, the film focusing on the Norwegian camps that were the initial target of the alien invasion. When they discover an alien spacecraft on the site, science graduate Kate Lloyd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and experienced researcher Dr Sander Halvorson (Ulrich Thomsen) disagree about how to act. When Dr Halvorson refuses to abandon his research, Kate teams up with tough Vietnam veteran Sam Carter (Joel Edgerton) to pursue the alien intruders by helicopter.

John Schlesinger directs this American spy thriller starring Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn. In 1977, civilian defence contractor Christopher Boyce (Hutton) becomes disillusioned with the government following the Vietnam war and America's meddling in the internal affairs of Australia. Taking advantage of the lax security at his place of work, Boyce steals some sensitive documents and sells them to the Soviet Union, using his drug dealing friend Daulton Lee (Penn) as a courier. However, the duo's involvement with the KGB does not go unnoticed by the CIA, who determine to bring them to justice.

George C Scott reprises the role he originally played in 'Patton' (1970) as the charismatic World War II hero, in this sequel which traces the general's last six months, from the war's end to the freak accident which robbed him of his life.

Clint Eastwood western triple bill in which he both stars and directs. In 'Pale Rider' a community of gold mining prospectors comes under attack from a gang of marauders, who are after the prospectors' land. Young Megan Wheeler (Sydney Penny) prays for help, which consequently arrives in the form of the Preacher (Eastwood), a grim, silent stranger. The Preacher takes up the community's cause, and sets out to repel the invaders. In 'The Outlaw Josey Wales', Josey Wales (Eastwood) is a peaceful farmer at the time of the American Civil War who becomes a Confederate outlaw in order to avenge his family's death at the hands of Union guerillas. His obsession with revenge slowly lifts, however, as he picks up various outcasts in the wilderness. Wales tries to protect his new 'family' by leading them to a safe haven where they can rebuild their lives. Finally in 'Unforgiven, it is 1880s Kansas and ageing gunslinger-turned-farmer William Munny (Eastwood) reluctantly agrees to come out of retirement to help Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) collect the bounty on a wanted murderer. The man in question cut up a prostitute in a lawless town lorded over by the corrupt Sheriff Daggett (Gene Hackman), and if Munny and Logan want to catch him they are going to have to deal with Daggett first. A gritty western which brought a new level of critical respect to its director, Clint Eastwood, winning him the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director (it also picked up the Best Supporting Actor award for Gene Hackman).

John Schlesinger directs this American spy thriller starring Timothy Hutton and Sean Penn. In 1977, civilian defence contractor Christopher Boyce (Hutton) becomes disillusioned with the government following the Vietnam war and America's meddling in the internal affairs of Australia. Taking advantage of the lax security at his place of work, Boyce steals some sensitive documents and sells them to the Soviet Union, using his drug dealing friend Daulton Lee (Penn) as a courier. However, the duo's involvement with the KGB does not go unnoticed by the CIA, who determine to bring them to justice.