Heath Ledger’s modern classic war movie is on TV tonight

Recently named the 26th best war movie of all time, the epic is from the same writer as Saving Private Ryan.

Set during the American Revolutionary War in the 18th century, the film revolves around Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson, Braveheart), a French and Indian War veteran and a widower with seven children, who is now seeking a peaceful life as a farmer.

When Tavington targets Martin's farm and family, the father reluctantly returns to his old life to protect his clan and seek vengeance, becoming swept up in the American War of Independence in the process.

Watch the trailer for The Patriot here:

The Patriot was directed by Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, Independence Day) and was written by Robert Rodat (Saving Private Ryan).

Its cast also includes Chris Cooper (Breach), Joely Richardson (Event Horizon), Logan Lerman (Fury), Tcheky Karyo (The Missing) and Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton).

Upon release, The Patriot was a box office hit, which was praised for its performances (particularly Isaacs' villainous turn), its revenge plot, and its epic battle scenes, though many criticised its historical inaccuracies.

The movie was recently named the 26th best war movie of all time, according to the website Ranker.

The Patriot is airing on TV tonight on the channel Legend at 9pm. It's also available to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, Rakuten TV and the Sky Store.

Here are the other movies on TV tonight:

Mulholland Drive - Sky Arts - 9pm

David Lynch's masterpiece mystery about an aspiring actress (Naomi Watts) newly arrived in Los Angeles, who befriends a car crash victim (Laura Harring) suffering from amnesia.

Working Girl - Comedy Central - 9pm

In this wonderful '80s comedy, a young and ambitious secretary named Tess (Melanie Griffith) has an idea stolen by her boss, Katherine (Sigourney Weaver).

When Katherine is laid up with a broken leg, the secretary secretly takes over her role to prove her capabilities in the corporate world. In the process, Tess becomes involved with her boss's boyfriend (Harrison Ford).

Some Like It Hot / My Week With Marilyn - BBC Four - 9pm / 11.50pm

A Marilyn Monroe-themed double bill.

Under Siege 2: Dark Territory - ITV4 - 9pm

An action sequel with Steven Seagal.

Sumotherhood - Film4 - 9pm

Adam Deacon's cameo-packed send-up of gritty London crime dramas.

Dead Man Running - Legend Xtra - 9pm

A 2009 British crime thriller with 50 Cent and Danny Dyer.

Dazed and Confused - Film4 - 10.55pm

The brilliant '90s coming-of-age comedy-drama follows a variety of young people (including Matthew McConaughey) on the last day of school in 1976.

Gold - Legend Xtra - 11pm

Matthew McConaughey stars again, this time in a decent 2016 movie as a prospector who hunts for gold in Indonesia.

How to Blow Up a Pipeline - Film4 - 1am

A group of activists attempt to blow up an oil pipeline at a key location as a protest against environmental pollution in this brilliantly tense crime thriller.

in €/£1,000 in our FREE Win-Lose-Draw Predictor

In the age of stats geeks, AI-generated Fantasy teams and nth-degree analysis, we've stripped football knowledge down to its most instinctual form: Win, Lose or Draw.

In JOE's new Premier League Win-Lose-Draw Predictor, you can prove your footballing nous up against your mates, while also being in with a chance of winning €1,000/£1,000 each week.

And if no users predict all results correctly, EVERY player who submitted an entry will be placed into a random prize draw for the €1,000/£1,000.

Play below for the Sunday's final-day fixtures! It takes just a few minutes to enter… ..... .. . . . . . .