One of Clint Eastwood’s best thriller movies is on TV tonight

The film is from the director of Air Force One and Troy and was nominated for three Oscars.

The film sees the star play Frank Horrigan, a Secret Service agent who decades previously was a bodyguard for John F. Kennedy. Haunted by being unable to prevent the then-president's assassination, the agent has grown into a cynical, loveless alcoholic.

Horrigan begins receiving phone calls from a mysterious man calling himself 'Booth' (John Malkovich). Booth taunts the agent over his failure to save Kennedy, while revealing his plan to kill the current US president.

As such, Horrigan goes back on protection detail, determined not to let another president die on his watch.

John Malkovich and Clint Eastwood in a still from In the Line of Fire

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen (Air Force One, Das Boot, Troy), In the Line of Fire is a very compelling and twisty cat-and-mouse thriller, with several unforgettable action set-pieces.

The movie is elevated to true greatness, however, by being steeped in fascinating contemporary history, and because of the clash between Eastwood's grizzled, taciturn hero and Malkovich's delightfully theatrical and loquacious villain turn.

The scenes of Booth and Horrigan in conversation over the phone as they inch closer to each other on a collision course are absolutely electric.

Co-starring Rene Russo as a Secret Service colleague of Eastwood's character, In the Line of Fire was nominated for three Oscars.

Malkovich secured a nod for Best Supporting Actor, while the thriller was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.

In the Line of Fire is airing on TV tonight (Friday, 24 July) on the channel Legend at 9pm. It's also available to rent on Prime Video, Rakuten TV, and the Sky Store.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight:

The Day the Earth Stood Still - Film4 - 6.55pm

Keanu Reeves is an enigmatic alien who lands on Earth in this underrated sci-fi remake.

Quadrophenia / Velvet Goldmine - Film4 - 9pm / 11.25pm

A double bill of two great movies about music.

The Greatest Showman - Virgin Media One - 9pm

Hugh Jackman stars in this musical and heavily fictionalised depiction of the life of P. T. Barnum, a showman and entertainer who created the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and its star attractions.

American Pie - E4 - 9pm

The famously raunchy comedy that launched a franchise.

Equilibrium - Legend Xtra - 9pm

Christian Bale (also in Velvet Goldmine) stars in this cult sci-fi action movie set in a future where all emotion is illegal.

Our Ladies - RTÉ2 - 9.35pm

This 2019 Scottish coming-of-age comedy-drama about five female friends in school together has a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score.

El Dorado - TG4 - 9.35pm

The classic '60s Western with John Wayne, Robert Mitchum and a young James Caan.

Skyfall - RTÉ One - 9.45pm

"Let the sky fall / When it crumbles" 🎵

Janet Planet - BBC Two - 11.05pm

This 2023 drama about a single mother (Julianne Nicholson) and her young daughter who navigate their complex relationships in 1990s rural Massachusetts holds an 84% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Death Wish - Legend Xtra - 11.10pm

The cult '70s revenge flick starring Charles Bronson.

La La Land - BBC One - 11.40pm

"City of stars / Are you shining just for me?" 🎵

Pretty Woman - TG4 - 11.55pm

Julia Roberts and Richard Gere star in this smash-hit rom-com about a Hollywood escort and a wealthy corporate raider.

Polite Society - Channel 4 - 12.05am

This very fun action comedy from 2023 follows a British-Pakistani teen (Priya Kansara, Bridgerton) who dreams of becoming a stunt performer.

While trying to pursue this career, she starts to suspect that her sister's new fiancé is not to be trusted.

The Mission - RTÉ One - 12.15am

Jeremy Irons and Robert De Niro star in this beloved ’80s historical drama about the experiences of a Jesuit missionary in 18th-century South America.