Presented by Sara Montague.
Timetable on Christmas Day (W)

Young people's hopes. (S)

Classic comedy, continuing the Laurel and Hardy season.
In 1917 Private Laurel is ordered to guard the post as Private Hardy and the platoon go "over the top". Twenty-one years later, Ollie reads a shocking headline.
(1938, U) (BW) (S)
Films: pp 49-79 ****

Period drama starring Robert Taylor , Kay Kendall and Robert Morley. In 15th-century Europe,
Quentin Durward becomes the pawn in the mortal struggle for power between King Louis XI and the Duke of Burgundy. Director Richard Thorpe (1955, U)
(S) Films: pp 49-79 ****

Michael Palin travels from Mexico City to the Diomede Islands where his trek began. He meets illegal immigrants in Mexico, cruises San Francisco's gay scene and visits Alcatraz. Show more

Mexico, USA, Canada and Alaska Palin begins the final leg of his journey. (R) (S) (W)

Regarded by many as the world's greatest living pianist,
Alfred Brendel plays a programme of Schubert, Haydn and Mozart, introducing each piece with reflections drawn from a lifetime of listening and performing. With Stephanie Hughes. (S) (W)

Western starring Chariton Heston and Jack Palance. Texas 1886: though raised by the Apache, cavalry scout Ed Bannon has a deep distrust of them, especially on the return of the chief's hot-headed son.
Director Charles Marquis Warren (1953, U) (S) Films: pp 49-79 **

A performance of Mozart's opera Die Entfuhrungaus dem Serail from the spectacular setting of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. With the Scottish Chamber Orchestra under Sir Charles Mackerras. The film also documents the creative process involved in staging this production, provides fresh insight into the history of the opera and Mozart's life, and talks with the director Elijah Moshinsky.
Producer/Director Mick Csaky
(S) (W)

Clarissa Dickson Wright and Robin Page present a holiday edition of the show from the Clun valley in Shropshire. Teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales compete in singles, brace and junior competitions of the sheepdog handling contest. See Choice. (S) (W) Clarissa Dickson Wright - Factual: p23

Annihilator North. Six robots from the north enter the arena together and fight till one remains. Repeated tomorrow at lpm (S)

When it comes to single parents looking for romance how far should they trust their children's help? Mel Giedroyc meets a father from south London and finds out what happens when his children get the chance to meet three "matches" and choose one to be his next date.
Producer Chris Jones ; Executive producer David Young (S)

Fourth in the seven-part daily showing of the drama based on Alexandre Dumas 's novel. Valentine agrees to elope with Maximilien Morrel and Edmond Dantes learns of a further act of cruelty by Count Morcerf, one which could be used against him. In French with English subtitles.
For cast see Boxing Day

The dramatisation of John le Carre's classic story continues with the fourth of seven successive episodes.
Smiley recalls his past - his involvement with Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Poormen and he remembers Karla, the legendary head of Moscow Circus.
For cast see Wednesday 27 December and New Year's Eve (R) (S)

Another chance to see the Christmas 1974 edition of the vintage comedy series starring Michael Crawford.

Frank Spencer becomes the Angel of the Lord in a nativity play, with chaotic results.
(R) (S)

Biographical drama starring Stephen Fry and Jude Law. Playwright Oscar Wilde is the toast of Victorian London, but his celebrity masks an increasingly reckless private life. When he falls in love with the wilful Lord Alfred Douglas , Wilde risks more than just his reputation. Widescreen.
Director Brian Gilbert (1997, 15) (S) (W)
Films: pp 49-79 ****

Actor Christopher Lee reads another chilling Victorian ghost story written by MR James.
Number 13. Who or what is the inhabitant of number 13?
Series concludes on New Year's Eve at 9.45pm (S) (W)

Documentary drama directed by and starring Al Pacino , with Alec Baldwin , Kevin Spacey and Winona Ryder.
A behind-the-scenes look at the filming of Shakespeare's Richard III sees Pacino and his cast rehearsing, performing and discussing the Bard's work. Widescreen. Kenneth Branagh Himself
Kevin Kline Himself
James Earl Jones Himself Rosemary Harris Himself Derek Jacobi Himself
John Gielgud Himself Vanessa Redgrave Herself
(1996. 12) (S) (W) Films: pp 49-79 ****

Tonight's guests include Roni Size and Reprazent, folk/soul band LSK and former Loose Ends front man Carl McIntosh.
(W)

Horror, continuing the Universal Horror season, starring
Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. After a bus crash, a honeymooning couple becomes caught up in a feud that puts them all in mortal danger. Ends at 2.40am.
Director Edgar G Ulmer (1934, 15) (BW) (S) The season continues with The Invisible Man tomorrow at 12.55am
Films: pp 49-79 ★★★★