1: Preparation
In the first of two films covering a bloody chapter in the Civil War, the army is drilling, perfecting the art of musketry and gunnery, planning and carousing.
(Part 2 tomorrow at 2.0 pm)

The daredevil comedian of Hollywood's golden age stars in a holiday season of his classic feature films.
Never Weaken: a lovelorn lad is convinced that his girl has jilted him. His decision to end it all results in a breathtaking muddle nine storeys up.
Why Worry?: as a rich hypochondriac on a visit to Latin America, Harold remains oblivious to revolutionary chaos as he tries to cure a friendly giant's toothache.
Directed by FRED NEWMEYER . SAM TAYLOR TV version produced by BOB HOAG
. Films: page 105

This week: Guernsey
Arthur Negus and Angela Rippon meet the public informally and discuss treasured possessions brought along for their assessment. (The opinions expressed concerning age and value may no longer be completely accurate as the series was recorded in the summer of 1979.) Director ROY CHAPMAN
Producer ROBIN DRAKE. BBC Bristol

The last of eight programmes Old Age
The raw material for this series was 38 miles of film shot by home movie-makers in the 1920s and 30s. None was more evocative than that which concerned old age. Written and narrated by JOHN JULIUS NORWICH
Film editor DAVID WYATT
Producer MARGARET MCCALL

The last of the series written and presented by Michael Wood
What actually happened in 1066 and why? MICHAEL WOOD concludes his personal history of the so-called Dark Ages.
Stunning ... a joy, minutely observed and beautifully filmed
(THE YORKSHIRE EVENING POST)
Producer DEREK TOWERS
BBC Manchester
Book, In Search of the Dark Ages, £8.95 from booksellers

A series in 12 parts
11: The Red Circle Speaks
The identity of the mysterious Red Circle is revealed. The police noose surrounding the evil Convict 39013 tightens...
(Part 12 tomorrow at 5.40)

A series in 18 episodes Part 17 by ALAN JANES
The collapse of Pogo's homework service has repercussions for the whole school. ]
Series devised by PHIL REDMOND Producer COLIN CANT
Director GRAHAM THEAKSTON

starring
The Spirit
As Walton's Mountain prepares for Christmas, strange and ridiculous petty thefts mystify everyone.
Based on EARL HAMNER JR 'S autobiographical novel Spencer's Mountain Written by KATHLEEN HITE
Directed by HERBERT HIRSCHNMAN

with Kenneth Kendall and with subtitles for the hard-of-hearing, followed by Weather

Chardin (1699-1779)
The Young School-Mistress at the National Gallery, London
Chardin was attracted to people doing very ordinary things. Each of his paintings is a celebration of the small pleasures and realities of home life.
Written and narrated by EDWIN MULLINS
Director MARY DICKINSON
(Tomorrow: Velazquez - Prince Ballasar Carlos on Horseback)

The last of five programmes about the education system. Two Nations?
' I would like to go back to the 1960s when we made the wrong decisions and try to put them right. The expansion of university education has not been a justifiable expenditure. We should go strongly for building up the further education sector ... the education of young people already at work. Give them the best.'
So says Sir Alex Smith , formerly Director of Manchester Polytechnic. These and similar views are commented on by The Rt Hon Sir Keith Joseph , mp, Secretary of State for Education.
Introduced by Patrick Nuttgens
Producer ROGER OWEN

Hot Gossip - among the stars and celebrities joining Russell for a glittering Christmas bumper edition, live from London's Greenwood Theatre. See some of the stars as you have never seen them before, in a fun-filled 50 minutes of television's most unpredictable entertainment.
Director RON ISTED
Producer ToM GUTIERIDGE
(Russell at home: Christmas Eve 11.15)

concludes a season of films starring William Holden. Also starring Alec Guinness , Jack Hawkins
David Lean 's classic is not only one of the most spectacular films about World War II, it is also one of the most memorable portraits of men under stress.
William Holden in one of his best screen roles, plays an American sailor, whose mission is the destruction of the Kwai Bridge. Alec Guinness won an Academy Award for his magnificent performance as a British officer who refuses to succumb to his Japanese captor.
Screenplay PIERRE BOULLE from his novel Produced by SAM SPIEGEL
Directed by DAVID LEAN. Films, page .105

with John Humphrys ; Weather