What’s on TV: Sunday movies 27 December – ‘Dolittle’, ‘Last Christmas’ and more

If you need some distraction from the current state of affairs, here are a few suggestions from tonight’s Sunday movie lineup: Dolittle, Last Christmas, National Security and Death and the Maiden.

Turn to M-Net, M-Net Movies 1, eTV and SABC 3.

Sunday movie on M-Net – ‘Dolittle’

‘Dolittle’ plot

Dr. John Dolittle lives in solitude behind the high walls of his lush manor in 19th-century England. His only companionship comes from an array of exotic animals that he speaks to on a daily basis.

But when young Queen Victoria becomes gravely ill, the eccentric doctor and his furry friends embark on an epic adventure to a mythical island to find the cure.

On air: Sunday, 27 December 21:30 on M-Net

Watch: ‘Dolittle’ trailer

‘Dolittle’ cast and characters

• Robert Downey Jr. as Dr John Dolittle, a Welsh widowed veterinarian who has the ability to speak to animals.
• Harry Collett as Tommy Stubbins, Dolittle’s self-appointed apprentice.
• Antonio Banderas as King Rassouli, the king of bandits who was Lily’s father and Dolittle’s father-in-law.
• Michael Sheen as Dr Blair Müdfly, an old schoolmate and rival of Dolittle who gradually becomes impressed by Dolittle’s special ability.
• Jim Broadbent as Lord Thomas Badgley, one of the Queen’s chairmen who poisons her so he can be king.
• Jessie Buckley as Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom
• Carmel Laniado as Lady Rose, a maid of honour to the Queen and Tommy’s friend and love interest.
• Kasia Smutniak as Lily Dolittle, Dolittle’s deceased wife and King Rassouli’s daughter.^[4]
• Ralph Ineson as Arnall Stubbins, Tommy’s uncle.
• Joanna Page as Bethan Stubbins, Tommy’s aunt.
• Sonny Ashbourne Serkis as Arnall Stubbins Jr., Tommy’s cousin.
• Elliot Barnes-Worrell as Captain William Derrick, a British Captain Officer who follows Dr. Müdfly’s orders.

Sunday movie on M-Net 1 – ‘Last Christmas’

‘Last Christmas‘ plot

Nothing seems to go right for young Kate, a frustrated Londoner who works as an elf in a year-round Christmas shop. But things soon take a turn for the better when she meets Tom, a handsome charmer who seems too good to be true.

As the city transforms into the most wonderful time of the year, Tom and Kate’s growing attraction turns into the best gift of all: a Yuletide romance.

On air: Sunday, 27 December 21:30 on Channel 104

Watch: ‘Last Christmas‘ trailer

‘Last Christmas‘ cast and characters

• Emilia Clarke as Katarina ‘Kate’ Andrich
• Madison Ingoldsby as Young Kate
• Henry Golding as Tom Webster
• Michelle Yeoh as Huang Qing Shin / ‘Santa’
• Emma Thompson as Petra Andrich
• Lydia Leonard as Marta Andrich
• Lucy Miller as Young Marta
• Boris Isaković as Ivan Andrich
• Rebecca Root as Dr Addis
• Ingrid Oliver[5] as Police Woman Crowley
• Laura Evelyn as Police Woman Churchill
• Patti LuPone as Joyce
• Calvin Demba as Nathan

Sunday movie on eTV – ‘National Security’

‘National Security’ plot

Earl Montgomery, a bombastic police academy reject, and Hank Rafferty, a disgraced, mild-mannered cop, can’t seem to escape each other.

They met on opposite sides of the law during a routine traffic stop that escalated out of control; now as lowly security guards they’re thrown together to bust a smuggling operation.

On air: Sunday, 27 December 20:00 on eTV

Watch: ‘National Security’ trailer

‘National Security’ cast and characters

• Martin Lawrence as Earl Montgomery
• Steve Zahn as Hank Rafferty
• Colm Feore as Detective Frank McDuff
• Bill Duke as Lieutenant Washington
• Eric Roberts as Nash
• Timothy Busfield as Charlie Reed
• Robinne Lee as Denise
• Matt McCoy as D.A. Robert Barton
• Brett Cullen as Heston
• Mari Morrow as Lola
• Stephen Tobolowsky as Billy Narthax
• Margaret Travolta as Judge
• Noel Gugliemi as Latino Convict
• Jonathan Loughran as Sarcastic Cop

Sunday movie on SABC 3 – ‘Death And The Maiden’

‘Death And The Maiden‘ plot

Paulina is a former political prisoner in an unnamed South American country (presumably Chile), now married to a prominent lawyer. One day a storm forces her husband to ride home with a charming stranger.

She is convinced that the stranger, Dr Miranda, was part of the old regime; and that he tortured and raped her for weeks while she was blindfolded. Paulina takes him captive to determine the truth.

The rapist doctor played Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14, subtitled Death and the Maiden, during the act of rape; hence the play’s title.

On air: Sunday, 27 December 20:00 on SABC 3

Watch: ‘Death And The Maiden‘ trailer

‘Death And The Maiden‘ cast and characters

• Sigourney Weaver as Paulina Escobar
• Ben Kingsley as Dr Roberto Miranda
• Stuart Wilson as Gerardo Escobar

Also read – From ‘Alex Rider’ to ‘Condor’: Non-stop action on Showmax this month