Sony Movie Channel Proudly Presents A '21 Film Salute' In September As Popular Military-Themed Films And Documentaries Infiltrate The Programming Schedule

CULVER CITY, Calif., Aug. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Movie Channel is proudly presenting some of the film industry's best war dramas and documentaries in September, with its '21 Film Salute' marathon, as the high-definition network broadcasts such popular classics as THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, THE COCKLESHELL HEROES and THE NIGHT OF THE GENERALS; along with notable docs like THE FOG OF WAR and WHY WE FIGHT, and recent hits ranging from THE COMPANY to the animated WALTZ WITH BASHIR. Military-themed movies begin as early as September 1, and include weekly broadcasts and a weekend marathon starting September 28.

To help viewers find the right wartime film that fits their mood, Sony Movie Channel has produced an online search tool that allows the user to dial up or down the degree of battle action and suspense they want to watch. The tool has three dials to help them pick their battle: "Explosions" measures battle action; "Modern" indicates the time period of the war; and "Jungle" depicts the location of the war, ranging from deserts to forests. By moving the dials from minus "-" to plus "+", Sony Movie Channel's tool recommends military films based on the user's choice. The online tool is available all month long at sonymoviechannel.com/salute.

In keeping with action-adventure films, the Channel also is featuring 12 consecutive hours of Jean-Claude Van Damme movies on Monday, September 2 (Labor Day) starting at 10:00 a.m. ET/7:00 a.m PT. The marathon leads up to the broadcast premiere of Van Damme's 2012 film 6 BULLETS at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. Plus, Van Damme films will be a part of SMC's schedule Monday nights in September starting at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT.

As football comes to the forefront this month, Sony Movie Channel is offering two popular gridiron classics based on real-life athletes on Friday, September 20, with RUDY at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT, followed by BRIAN'S SONG at Midnight ET/9:00 p.m. PT.

Top Events for the month of September include: (Times Below Are Eastern)

21 FILM SALUTE - Sony Movie Channel is programming military films in prime time the week of September 3; military classics on Wednesday nights; real-life military dramas on Thursday nights; and hosting a weekend marathon that runs through Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29. The "21 Film Salute" starts September 1.

September 1 – FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953) 2:10 p.m.; THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (1957) 4:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.; and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962) 7:00 p.m. and 1:35 a.m.
September 3 – IKE: COUNTDOWN TO D-DAY (2004) 10:00 p.m.; and SAHARA (1995) 11:35 p.m.
September 4 – BITTER VICTORY (1958) 8 p.m.; ANZIO (1968) 9:30 p.m.; and EIGHT IRON MEN (1952) 11:35 p.m.
September 5 – THE FOG OF WAR (2003) 10:00 p.m.; and midnight.
September 6 – BASIC (2003) 10:00 p.m.; and THE BEAST (1988) 11:45 p.m.
September 7 – HUNT FOR EAGLE ONE (2006) 10:00 p.m.; and HUNT FOR EAGLE ONE: CRASH POINT (2006) 11:35 p.m.
September 8 – THE COMPANY (2007) 7:00 p.m.; and midnight.
September 11 – DAMN THE DEFIANT! (1962) 8 p.m.; LORD JIM (1965) 9:50 p.m.; and THE NIGHT OF THE GENERALS (1967) 12:30 p.m.
September 12 – WALTZ WITH BASHIR (2008) 10:00 p.m.; and 11:40 p.m.
September 18 – THE COCKLESHELL HEROES (1956) 8 p.m.; THE WILD GEESE (1978) 9:45 p.m.; and GAME FOR VULTURES (1979) 12:00 a.m.
September 19 – WHY WE FIGHT (2006) 10:00 p.m.; and 11:45 p.m.
September 25 – THE LONG GREY LINE (1955) 8 p.m.; FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953) 10:30 p.m.; and HELLCATS OF THE NAVY (1957) 12:40 a.m.
September 26 – STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (2008) (BROADCAST PREMIERE) 10:00 p.m.; and 12:05 a.m.
September 28 & 29 –'21 Film Salute' weekend marathon starts at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28 , and ends at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, September 30. Marathon features same movies above, as well as a few others.

VAN DAMME DAYS - Every Monday night in September, Sony Movie Channel viewers will be able to watch international film star Jean-Claude Van Damme in martial arts action, and enjoy a marathon of his best films on Labor Day, Monday, September 2.

September 2 – Marathon begins at 10 a.m. through 2 a.m. Broadcast Premiere of 6 BULLETS (2012) 10 p.m.
September 9 – UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: THE RETURN (1999) 10:00 p.m.; and DOUBLE TEAM (1997) 11:30 p.m.
September 16 – ASSASSINATION GAMES (2011) 10 p.m.; and NOWHERE TO RUN (1993) 11:50 p.m.
September 23– SECOND IN COMMAND (2006) 10 p.m.; and THE ORDER (2002) 11:40 p.m.
September 30 – MAXIMUM RISK (1996) 10 p.m. and 6 BULLETS (2012) 11:50 p.m.

Other highlights include:

BRAD PITT NIGHT – Watch Brad Pitt in two of his finest dramatic roles on Friday, September 13 – THE DEVIL'S OWN (1997) at 8 p.m. and LEGENDS OF THE FALL (1994) at 10 p.m.

TOM SELLECK – On Saturday, September 14, two Tom Selleck films are airing back-to-back – 2004's IKE: COUNTDOWN TO D-DAY at 10 p.m. and 1982's THE SHADOW RIDERS at 11:35 p.m.

WESTERN HO! – On September 17, fans of the western genre will enjoy THE SHADOW RIDERS (1982) with Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott at 10 p.m., and immediately following is the 1985 drama SILVERADO at 11:45 p.m., with Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn, Kevin Kline and Danny Glover.

TOUCHDOWN! – Sony Movie Channel is featuring two popular dramas that are inspired by true life events centered around football on Friday, September 20, with RUDY at 10 p.m. and BRIAN'S SONG at midnight.

STEVE McQUEEN – Watch Steve McQueen in two dramatic roles on Sunday, September 22- BABY THE RAIN MUST FALL (1965) at 8:10 p.m. and THE WAR LOVER (1962) at 10 p.m.

For a complete schedule of films and times, visit www.Sonymoviechannel.com/schedule.
In addition to airing these films on the dates noted above, some of the movies mentioned are scheduled for further broadcasts throughout the month. (See listings for further details.)

About Sony Movie Channel
Sony Movie Channel is the first U.S. multi-platform television network from Sony Pictures Television created specifically for the Hollywood movie fan. Offering uncut, uncensored theatrical releases in stunning high definition, Sony Movie Channel showcases titles from Sony Pictures' vast library including award-winning features, cult favorites, family comedies and gripping dramas. Programming is selected from more than 3,500 Sony Pictures films, which collectively have received 184 Academy Awards including 12 for Best Picture. Sony Movie Channel is available on DISH Network, DIRECTV and AT&T U-Verse TV on linear as well as on authenticated VOD and online platforms. For more information, visit SonyMovieChannel.com, Facebook and/or Twitter @SonyMovieCh.

SOURCE Sony Movie Channel