A classic war film is one of the movies on TV tonight

The war movie's cast includes a legendary Irish actor in one of his earliest roles.

Set during World War II in 1943, the story follows a small Allied commando team that is sent to destroy enormous radar-directed large-calibre German guns on the Greek island of Navarone.

This is so that they can rescue Allied troops trapped on the nearby island of Keros.

"Led by British Major Franklin (Anthony Quayle, Lawrence of Arabia), the team includes American Captain Mallory (Gregory Peck, To Kill a Mockingbird), Greek resistance fighter Stavros (Anthony Quinn, Viva Zapata!) and reluctant explosives expert Miller (David Niven, A Matter of Life and Death)," the plot synopsis adds.

"Facing impossible odds, the men battle stormy seas and daunting cliffs. When Franklin is injured, Mallory takes command, and personal enmities spill over."

Based on the novel of the same name by Alistair MacLean (Ice Station Zebra), The Guns of Navarone was directed by J. Lee Thompson (Cape Fear), while its screenplay was written by Carl Foreman (The Bridge on the River Kwai).

The movie's cast also includes legendary Irish actor Richard Harris (The Field) in one of his earliest roles.

Praised for its action, cast and epic story, the film is widely considered a classic of its genre.

The Guns of Navarone is airing on TV tonight on BBC Four at 8pm. It is also available to rent on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, Rakuten TV and the Sky Store.

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

The Frighteners - Film4 - 9pm

Directed by Peter Jackson, pre-Lord of the Rings, this fun supernatural comedy horror sees Michael J. Fox play an architect who develops the ability to see, hear, and communicate with ghosts after his wife's murder.

The Mechanic - Sky Showcase - 9pm

Jason Statham is a master assassin who takes on an apprentice (Ben Foster) in this solid action flick.

Sabrina - Sky Arts - 9pm

The classic '50s romantic comedy-drama starring Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden.

First Blood - ITV4 - 9pm

Sylvester Stallone’s brilliant first outing as the troubled and misunderstood Vietnam War veteran John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone).

The character must rely on his combat and survival skills when a series of brutal events leads to him being pursued by police in a small American town.

We Were Soldiers - Legend - 9pm

Mel Gibson re-teamed with the writer of Braveheart for this Vietnam War drama.

The Cold Light of Day - Legend Xtra - 9pm

Bruce Willis, Henry Cavill and Sigourney Weaver star in this very underwhelming action thriller with a 4% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Kevin and Perry Go Large - Comedy Central - 9pm

A big-screen spin-off of the sketch show Harry Enfield & Chums.

The Eagle Has Landed - BBC Four - 10.30pm

This WWII movie - starring Michael Caine, Donald Sutherland and Robert Duvall - was the last film from the acclaimed director John Sturges, who also made The Great Escape and The Magnificent Seven.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - BBC One - 11.40pm

The second entry in the hit dystopian action franchise.

Darkman - Film4 - 11.15pm

Before he made the Spider-Man trilogy with Tobey Maguire, director Sam Raimi helmed this great 1990 superhero flick.

It stars Liam Neeson as a scientist brutally disfigured in an attack who later develops superhuman abilities.

Tár - BBC Two - 12am

Cate Blanchett plays Lydia Tár, a world-renowned conductor whose life begins to unravel in this absolutely brilliant Oscar-nominated psychological drama.

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