Sundance, 7:30 p.m. ET
Made in 1984, this fact-based movie about Cambodian leader Pol Pot’s bloody attack on some of his country’s “less desirable” citizens is horrifying, mesmerizing, and impressively well acted. Sam Waterston, John Malkovich, Haing S. Ngor, Julian Sands, Spalding Gray and Craig T. Nelson star. What a cast. What a film.
PBS, 8:00 p.m. ET
PART 1 of 2. It’s a same-season repeat of one of Ken Burns’ most recent documentaries, and this one’s especially impressive, both in its scope (starting a century before the dust storm we think of when we think of the “Dust Bowl”) and its insights (the true culprit, in this story of “natural disasters,” may surprise you). Well worth a second view – and certainly, if you missed it last time around, a first. Check local listings.
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
This is the 1950 Disney version of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson story. Not the best of movies, or most polished, certainly – but if you saw it as a kid, wow, was it enthralling. Maybe, to very young eyes today, it still is. A pirate and a parrot? How do you beat it? Robert Newton steals the show, pirate-like, as Long John Silver. Parents, beware: This film is rated Aaargh!
ESPN, 9:30 p.m. ET
This newest entry in ESPN’s 30 for 30 series of documentaries centers on the NFL draft – in particular, the year 1983, when the crop of quarterbacks joining the pro ranks was considered exceedingly rich, from John Elway to Dan Marino. Ken Rodgers of NFL Films presents this look back at the class of ’83 – and 30 years later, when the 2013 draft is held later this week, the quarterback pickings look a lot slimmer.
PBS, 10:00 p.m. ET
Don’t want to gamble with your retirement investment income? Here’s the bad news: According to this new Frontline documentary, you already are. Big time. And there’s nothing you can do about it. Sigh. Check local listings.