Considering it’s really still a "test" channel, the BBC has pulled out all the stops for its festive offerings, which marks the first Christmas where we can sit down in front of proper HDTV at last. The full BBC line-up was revealed a couple of weeks ago but it’s worth picking out a few of the highlights that should look particularly good over the coming days.
Saturday 23: Strictly Come Dancing – The Final (5:40pm)
This show is true old-school family entertainment and even if it’s not really your cup of tea, it’s actually the best demo for your HDTV screen with all its flowing movement and nice bright sparkly pictures.
Sunday 24: Torchwood (11:10pm)
Stay up late for the dark side of Doctor Who as Russell T Davies’ drama reaches its eleventh episode, Combat. This one is being shown slightly later than its BBC Three screening tonight but it should be worth it to see it a little bit more clearly. Sadly the Christmas Day Doctor Who is not being broadcast in HD.
Monday 25: Monsters Inc. (3:55pm)
Pixar’s witty monster movie is not only a great showcase for computer animation in HD but it carried a superb comedy double act in the form of John Goodman and Billy Crystal, providing voices for the lead characters Sulley and Mike.
Monday 25: The Complete Bleak House (5:20pm)
Yes, it’s all eight hours of Andrew Davies’ utterly brilliant adaptation of the weighty Dickens classic starring Gillian Anderson, Denis Lawson, Charles Dance, Alistair McGowan, Pauline Collins, Johnny Vegas and a host of others. Without doubt one of the best dramas the BBC has made this decade and stunningly realised in HD – if you’ve not seen it, don’t miss this chance; and even if you have, watch it again!
Tuesday 26: Pirates of the Caribbean – Curse of the Black Pearl (7:30pm)
The network premiere of the action-packed blockbuster starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, which is so much more fun than the recent dour sequel. If you got the Dead Man’s Chest on DVD for Christmas, put it on eBay and stick with this instead.
Wednesday 27: The Complete Galapagos (6:30pm)
The BBC sneaked this on the air while Planet Earth was taking its midseason break in the autumn, and it was rather overshadowed by its world-spanning counterpart, but there’s lots to enjoy in this three-part close-up of the natural history of these unique Pacific islands, which inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Wednesday 27: Billy Elliott (9pm)
A chance to catch this classic feel-good British movie about a boy in a small strikebound mining town who dreams of making it as a ballet dancer. It might follow a predictable formula but it’s a genuinely heart-warming drama that hits all the right marks.
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