The 1996 blockbuster Mission: Impossible will be broadcast for free on BBC One this evening (Wednesday, 31st December) at 8:30pm. The film, starring Tom Cruise as covert operative Ethan Hunt, launched one of the most successful spy franchises in cinema history.
Directed by Brian De Palma, the film features iconic action sequences, including the infamous vault heist scene. Critics have praised it as 'still the best in the franchise' and 'the best spy movie ever', according to IMDb and Letterboxd reviews cited in the report.
Viewers can also stream the film on BBC iPlayer for the next five months. The broadcast offers a relaxed alternative for those not staying up for midnight celebrations or awaiting the Stranger Things finale on Netflix on New Year’s Day.
The film’s blend of suspense, action, and visual craftsmanship has been lauded, with one critic noting that 'no director today can really compare to De Palma at his finest'. The original Mission: Impossible remains a benchmark for the genre, even after six sequels.
