A beloved Western movie is airing on TV tonight

Stephen Porzio

It comes from the director-actor team also behind Dirty Harry and Escape From Alcatraz.

Our TV movie pick for tonight (Friday, 19 July) is Two Mules for Sister Sara, the beloved 1970 Western starring the legendary Clint Eastwood.

Directed by Don Siegel (who Eastwood collaborated with several times, including on Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz and The Beguiled), the film sees the actor play a gunslinger named Hogan who saves the young nun Sara (Shirley MacLaine) from a group of bandits.

“The two escape to a nearby camp of Mexican revolutionaries, who have hired Hogan to help fight the invading French army. En route, Sara turns out to be surprisingly crude for a nun, drinking, smoking and using curse words,” the plot synopsis reads.

“When she also proves to be handy with a gun, Hogan begins wondering if she is telling him the whole truth.”

Positively received by critics and a hit at the box-office upon release, Two Mules for Sister Sara is worth seeking out by Western aficionados just for the sheer level of talent involved with the project.

As well as the major names listed above, soundtrack legend Ennio Morricone did the score and cult director Budd Boetticher provided the story.

Two Mules for Sister Sara is airing on TG4 at 9.30pm as part of its Western series on Friday nights. It is also available to rent on Apple TV and Google Play.

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

Twister – ITV4 – 9pm

We were just raving about this ’90s disaster flick in our review of its sequel, Twisters, in theatres now.

The Magnificent Seven – Virgin Media One – 9pm

This remake with Denzel Washington is another Western and former JOE Movies on TV pick.

The Green Mile – Film4 – 9pm

Tom Hanks stars in this powerful supernatural drama based on a Stephen King story about a death row inmate (Michael Clarke Duncan) with mysterious powers.

Braven – Legend – 9pm

In this well-reviewed action thriller, a logger (Jason Momoa) and his father (Stephen Lang) on a trip to their hunting cabin find themselves fighting for survival when they encounter a gang of ruthless drug traffickers.

Reasonable Doubt – Legend Xtra – 9pm

In this average crime thriller, a District Attorney (Dominic Cooper) has his life turned upside down when he’s involved in a hit and run and another man (Samuel L. Jackson) is arrested for his crime and charged with murder.

Late Night – RTÉ2 – 9.20pm

This fun comedy-drama stars Emma Thompson as a popular TV host who hires a new writer (Mindy Kaling) in a bid to keep her from getting replaced.

The 355 – RTÉ One – 9.35pm

This poorly received action spy thriller from 2022 boasts an all-star international cast including Jessica Chastain, Penélope Cruz, Fan Bingbing, Diane Kruger and Lupita Nyong’o.

Assassin’s Creed – E4 – 10pm

A divisive big screen adaptation of the popular video game series starring Michael Fassbender.

The Five-Year Engagement – Comedy Central – 10pm

In this rom-com, a man (Jason Segel) proposes to his girlfriend (Emily Blunt) but unexpected events keep tripping them up as they look to walk down the aisle together.

The Family – Legend – 10.50pm

Also known as Violent City, this ’70s cult crime thriller stars Charles Bronson and Telly Savalas.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – RTÉ One – 11.50pm

Based on the acclaimed horror book series of the same name for children, this creepy 2019 movie was a hit with both audiences and critics upon release.

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