A classic war movie is airing on TV tonight

The film depicts real-life events, which were later retold in a modern hit blockbuster.

The film follows a group of British soldiers led by Corporal 'Tubby' Bins (John Mills, Ryan's Daughter) who are stranded in France and must make their way to the shores of Dunkirk in hopes of a rescue.

"Back in Britain, Charles Foreman (Bernard Lee, James Bond), a newspaper reporter, desperately tries to raise awareness among the public of the horrible reality of the war," the plot synopsis reads.

"When the British navy calls for all civilian ships to aid in a rescue, Foreman takes out his own small boat and attempts to bring Tubby and his men home safely."

Co-starring Richard Attenborough (Jurassic Park), the war movie was a hit in cinemas and later became a staple of TV broadcasts for decades.

There was recently a renewed interest in the 1958 film, thanks to writer-director Christopher Nolan's acclaimed 2017 thriller of the same name, which also retells the story of the historic WWII evacuation.

The 1958 version of Dunkirk is airing on BBC Four tonight at 10.30pm. It is also available to rent on Apple TV and Sky.

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - BBC Four - 8pm

The classic '50s comedy about a dancer named Lorelei (played by Marilyn Monroe) who goes on a trip to Paris before her wedding to her wealthy fiancé.

Lorelei's future father-in-law does not trust her, however, thinking she is only after his family's money. As such, he sends a private detective to follow the dancer.

Django Unchained - Film4 - 9pm

Quentin Tarantino's brilliant homage to spaghetti Westerns that we recommended last week.

Bean - Comedy Central - 9pm

Rowan Atkinson's beloved comic creation, Mr. Bean, gets the big screen treatment.

Drive Angry - Legend - 9pm

This fun thriller stars Nicolas Cage as a man named John Milton, who escapes from Hell with Satan’s gun, the Godkiller, to hunt down the cult leader who murdered his daughter and kidnapped her baby.

Magnum Force - ITV4 - 9pm

The solid second entry in Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry action thriller franchise.

Force of Nature: The Dry 2 - Sky Showcase - 10pm

The 2024 sequel to the hit 2020 Australian mystery thriller drama, The Dry, starring Eric Bana.

Red Heat - ITV4 - 11.35pm

In this solid ’80s action flick, a Russian cop (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is forced to team up with an American detective (Jim Belushi) to take down a dangerous criminal.

Fremont - Film4 - 12.20am

This acclaimed US indie centres on an Afghan refugee (Anaita Wali Zada) living in the titular Californian town and features The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White in a supporting role.