This week offers a cinematic feast for viewers across the UK, with a compelling blend of bloody mafia sagas, charming romantic dramas, and timeless classics hitting television screens and streaming platforms. The lineup is headlined by a major new gangster film starring a Hollywood legend and features a delightful Italian-set story with an all-star cast.
Gangland Power Struggles and Italian Escapes
The week's standout pick is the mafia drama The Alto Knights, premiering on Sky Cinema Premiere on Sunday 7 December at 2.30pm and 9.45pm. Directed by Barry Levinson and scripted by Nicholas Pileggi, the acclaimed writer behind Goodfellas, the film delves into the real-life feud between two infamous New York mob bosses. Robert De Niro delivers a powerful dual performance as both the strategic Frank Costello, known as "the prime minister of the underworld," and his volatile former ally, Vito Genovese. Set in the 1950s, the story explores their bitter falling out, a conflict rooted in twisted honour and a thirst for power that threatens to dismantle their entire criminal empire.
For those seeking a lighter, picturesque watch, Under the Stars arrives on Prime Video on Sunday 7 December. This romantic drama follows a heartbroken travel writer, played by Alex Pettyfer, who retreats to a farmstay in Puglia, Italy. While the scenic beauty provides a stunning backdrop, the film is truly elevated by its supporting cast. Toni Collette shines as the protagonist's witty and successful novelist aunt, who shares a slyly flirtatious chemistry with the farm's owner, portrayed with charm by Andy Garcia.
Timeless Classics and Cult Favourites
Fans of musical theatre can enjoy a beloved classic with My Fair Lady, airing on Sky Arts on Sunday 7 December at 4pm. George Cukor's vibrant adaptation stars Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle, the Cockney flower seller transformed by phonetics professor Henry Higgins, played by Rex Harrison. Though her singing was dubbed, Hepburn's performance in this Cinderella-inspired tale remains iconic, supported by a legendary score.
Later in the week, Sky Cinema Greats hosts two very different but equally compelling films. First, the violent, Tarantino-scripted caper True Romance airs on Monday 8 December at 12.20am, starring Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette as lovers on the run. Then, on Wednesday 10 December at 10am, the same channel offers Sofia Coppola's melancholic and sweet Lost in Translation, featuring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson as lonely souls connecting in Tokyo.
Compelling Drama and Western Adventure
For those interested in political drama, Film4 presents the Oscar-winning All the King's Men on Tuesday 9 December at 4.30pm. This 1949 film features a superb performance from Broderick Crawford as a politician whose rise to power is steeped in corruption, offering a stark lesson on the corrosive nature of ambition.
Finally, western enthusiasts are in for a treat with Sam Peckinpah's Ride the High Country on 5Action on Tuesday 9 December at 2.05pm. Starring genre veterans Joel McCrea and Randolph Scott, this 1962 adventure follows two ageing lawmen tasked with transporting gold, a journey that tests their friendship and morals amidst stunning landscapes.
This diverse selection ensures there is a perfect film for every mood, from high-stakes crime and poignant romance to thought-provoking drama and action-packed adventure.
