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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Two Sunday Movies Based On Real Life

Faye Zuckerman New York Times Syndicate

The networks offer up two original fact-based made-for-TV movies Sunday at 9.

CBS’ “A Thousand Men and a Baby” is a feel-good family tale about the rescuing of a Korean War orphan.

ABC’s “Forbidden Territory: Stanley’s Search for Livingstone” at 9 is a dark and haunting portrayal of the famous encounter between English missionary Dr. David Livingstone and American journalist Henry Morton Stanley.

For “Thousand Men,” you’ll want to gather up the kids. The men aboard the USS Point Cruz will charm you as they go the distance to bring an abandoned baby (named Danny for the soldier who found him) to the United States.

Gerald McRaney plays the captain of the carrier and the hero of this piece. He’s beloved by his officers, who include Richard Thomas as the Navy doctor who brings the baby on board the ship.

If an Emmy is to be given to a cast member, it should go to Jonathan Banks (“Fired Up”) as a gambling priest. He’s full of words of wisdom for the crew and plays a wicked game of poker to get Danny a Korean visa.

Over on ABC, Aidan Quinn ventures into uncharted 1870s Africa as Stanley in the re-enactment of the historic meeting between the missionary (Nigel Hawthorne) and the journalist. (Yes, the famous line “Livingstone, I presume” is uttered here.) Stanley’s search entails much personal suffering as well as violent encounters with warring tribes. Despite the adversity, he pushes on, all the while having flashbacks of his abusive childhood.

Eventually Livingstone becomes a spiritual adviser-psychologist to Stanley, helping him cope with his insecurities and near psychotic nature. Stanley returns the favor by agreeing to lead the sickly Livingstone on an odyssey to find the source of the Nile River.

Highlights

“National Geographic Special,” NBC tonight at 8: If you can’t get enough of nature’s most spectacular fireworks, then tune in “Volcano!” The documentary covers the good, bad and ugly of volcanoes.

“Saturday Night Live,” NBC tonight at 11:30: Multitalented Nathan Lane hosts, and Metallica performs.

“The X-Files,” FOX Sunday at 9: In an eerie two-parter, Scully returns home for the holidays, and she’s plagued by a strange phone call and unusual dreams. It’s all connected to a murdered woman’s daughter who looks just like Scully’s late sister.

“Terminal Velocity” (1994), NBC Sunday at 9: Charlie Sheen and Nastassja Kinski teamed up for this thriller about a parachuting accident and its connection to international espionage. Great aerial footage; awful dialogue.

Cable Calls

“Stomp Out Loud,” HBO tonight at 8: Cast members from the off-Broadway production “Stomp” offer their own unique rhythmic expression in this special. You’ll see cast members making music around New York City, atop billboards, near alley basketball courts and on a dock. Their instruments are everyday objects.

“Buffalo Soldiers” (1997), TNT Sunday at 5, 7 and 9: This made-forcable Western is a tribute to black soldiers who battled Native Americans after the Civil War. The racism, hardships and heroics of the soldiers shine through as Washington Wyatt (Danny Glover) leads his men into battle.