One of the best movies ever is airing on TV tonight

Even if you've never seen it, you've definitely heard its soundtrack.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Mike Nichols (The Birdcage), the movie stars a young Dustin Hoffman (Rain Man) as Benjamin, a disillusioned college graduate back living with his parents.

As he tries to avoid the one question everyone keeps asking - 'What does he want to do with his life?' - an unexpected diversion crops up.

He is seduced by Mrs Robinson (Anne Bancroft, The Miracle Worker), a bored housewife and family friend.

"But what begins as a fun tryst turns complicated when Benjamin falls for the one woman Mrs Robinson demanded he stay away from, her daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)," the plot synopsis adds.

A brilliantly sharp portrait of post-college anxieties, The Graduate also boasts an iconic Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack and one of the most famous final scenes in film history.

The movie was nominated for seven Oscars, with Nichols winning in the Best Director category, and it remains a classic that is still parodied and referenced to this day.

The Graduate is airing on TV tonight on RTÉ One at 11.15pm. The film is also currently available to stream on the service Mubi.

For JOE's list of the other films airing on television this evening, click here.