‘Four Minutes’ focuses on track milestone
A celebration of amateur athletics and rugged individualism, the made-for-television sports drama “Four Minutes” (4, 6 and 8 p.m., ESPN2) recalls runner Roger Bannister (Jamie Maclachlan) and his efforts to break the four-minute mile.
“Four Minutes” is a welcome departure for the ESPN movie franchise. Up until now the cable channel has emphasized difficult characters like Pete Rose and Bobby Knight.
In contrast, Bannister was a gentleman and a scholar and has since become a knight.
Written by journalist and commentator Frank Deford, “Four Minutes” avoids many of the cliches of traditional sports yarns. A quiet and determined young medical student, Bannister became a track star almost by accident.
He refused to allow a running regimen to get in the way of his studies, and this attitude earned him the scorn of British sportswriters as well as those who saw him as Britain’s chance for gold at the 1952 Helsinki games. After failing to place in medal contention, he resolved to train with track legend Archie Mason (Christopher Plummer) and set out to conquer the four-minute mile, a feat considered the Mount Everest of track.
Shot in the British countryside, the film may seem too “Masterpiece Theatre”-ish for some ESPN fans. It also seems as if we’re watching pieces of a larger film whittled down to size for our TV screens.
Like all historical sports dramas, “Four Minutes” has the difficult task of maintaining tension when the audience already knows the outcome. And while Bannister had rivals for the record, they are never seen on screen, resulting in a film that lacks both a sense of “good guys versus bad guys” or the “triumph of the underdog” motif that has inspired so many films.
Viewers must settle for small, wonderful scenes of quiet peculiarity, as when, on the morning before his most important race, Bannister makes his medical rounds at the local hospital.
Why? Because he was just that kind of guy.
A recent entry in the New York Film Festival, the documentary “Methadonia” (9 p.m., HBO) looks at methadone, used for decades to wean addicts off stronger drugs. While some addicts take methadone to return to the “straight” life, others take it in combination with popular anti-anxiety medications to achieve a high that equals or surpasses their old poisons.
Filmmaker Michel Negroponte spent 18 months with drug addicts and addiction counselors to make this film.
“Daily Show” host Jon Stewart appears on “Late Show with David Letterman” (11:35 p.m., CBS).
After Letterman made a tribute to Johnny Carson at the recent Emmy Awards show, Stewart took a moment to praise Letterman as the greatest influence on him and a generation of comics. It was a classy moment between talk-show rivals.
David Gray also appears on “Late Show.”
Other highlights
Jeff Probst hosts “Survivor: Guatemala” (8 p.m., CBS).
Major League Baseball divisional play (5 p.m., Fox).
Jack brings in a new man (Balthazar Getty) on “Alias” (8 p.m., ABC).
A tangle with the school bully on “Everybody Hates Chris” (8 p.m., UPN).
While consoling Karen, Will realizes that he too needs emotional rescue on “Will & Grace” (8:30 p.m., NBC).
Down the up staircase on “CSI” (9 p.m. CBS).
Donald Trump hosts “The Apprentice” (9 p.m., NBC).
A killer uses mental powers to order executions on “Night Stalker” (9 p.m., ABC).
A bright but troubled teen vanishes on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS).
A new nurse manager (Kristen Johnston) lays down the law on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).
Scheduled on “Primetime” (10 p.m., ABC): a murder in California’s wine country.
Aubrey, Malika and Aundrea return with three new prospects on “Making the Band 3” (10 p.m., MTV).
Cult choice
Jeff Bridges and Jessica Lange star in the 1976 remake of “King Kong” (7 p.m., WE). This time, the beast takes refuge atop the World Trade Center towers.
Series notes
An action star with a big head on “Joey” (8 p.m., NBC) … “Normal” and loving it, on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB) … Desperate hope for a second chance on “Love, Inc.” (8:30 p.m., UPN) … Style wars on “Eve” (9 p.m., UPN).
Ephram moves back, but not back home, on “Everwood” (9 p.m., WB) … Kevin’s motives revealed on “Cuts” (9:30 p.m., UPN).