TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"CodeBreakers," 4, 7, 10 p.m., ESPN. Back in 1950, West Point football players faced fierce demands. They had to win; Army had a 27-game win streak when the season started. They also had to drill and study. And they faced a rigid honor code: A cadet could be expelled simply for knowing about a cheater and not reporting him. All of that led to fascinating ethical dilemmas that are told in this movie with depth and balance. We meet coach Earl "Red" Blaik, a West Point grad who insists things will work out if the kids tell the truth. And his son Bob Blaik (Corey Sevier), a smart quarterback who has no trouble in class but worries about his teammates. We meet a sturdy Nebraska guy (Jeff Roop), overwhelmed by books. And his roommate and best friend (Zachery Bryan), trapped by a code that has no escape routes. Even Vince Lombardi, later a coaching legend, shows up here as the assistant coach. All are wedged against one of those moments when life has no solutions.

OF NOTE

"The Wizard of Oz" (1939), 3:45 p.m., TNT. This family delight gets an early start tonight.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" (2002), 6 p.m., TNT. This is the middle of the "Rings" trilogy. Director Peter Jackson created stunning visual power in this tale of a hobbit struggling to get rid of a ring.

"Ice Wars: Battle of the Sexes," 7 p.m., CBS. The men's team has two Olympic gold medalists, Brian Boitano and the remarkable Alexei Yagudin, plus Kurt Browning and Elvis Stojko. The women reunite 1994 competitors Oksana Baiul and Nancy Kerrigan, plus Yuka Sato and Maria Butyrskaya.

"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), 7 p.m., NBC. The 1946 classic from director Frank Capra stars James Stewart as a small-town banker, pondering his life at Christmastime.

TONIGHT ON KHNL NEWS 8

Get the latest news and weather at 6 and 10 from KHNL News 8's Diane Ako and Paul Drewes, plus sports with Reid Shimizu.