An iconic film starring a Hollywood legend has been hailed by fans as ‘a true classic you cannot miss’ and it’s set to air on BBC 2 tonight.

The Graduate, released in 1967, continues to captivate audiences with its timeless appeal and ‘beautifully’ shot scenes. The film, featuring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft and Katharine Ross, was a box office sensation upon release, raking in over $104 million and topping the charts as the highest-grossing film of 1968.

Even today, it holds a prestigious spot among the highest-grossing films of all time.

The plot revolves around Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate returning to his parents’ home, who finds himself dodging the inevitable question about his future plans.

His life takes an unexpected turn when he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), a discontented housewife and friend of his parents.

However, what starts as a casual affair becomes complicated when Benjamin falls for the one woman Mrs. Robinson explicitly forbade him from pursuing – her daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross).

The film has garnered glowing reviews from movie buffs, earning a five-star rating on the film review site Rotten Tomatoes, reports the Mirror.

One viewer said: “Wow. Just wow. Beautifully shot, superbly written and masterfully edited in a way that must have been absolutely groundbreaking in its time. The Graduate manages to paint the most intricate character portraits using the greatest judgment and the finest understanding of film as an art form. With a soundtrack that is a match made in heaven and Hoffman’s fragile portrayal it’s a true classic you cannot miss.”

Another enthusiast added: “A wonderful movie that’s well ahead of its time.”

A third said: “Really good performances to go along with the music make a hit, and I see how it’s holding up over time,” Someone else posted: “I really liked it. It’s a pretty old movie, but it didn’t seem like it.”

Fellow film buffs have also observed how, despite its 1967 release, the picture has ‘aged well. ‘ One admirer said: “This movie ages tremendously well and still holds up in today’s world. Hoffman gives a great performance and his character creates its own iconic moment in film history.”

Another praised the cinematography, saying: “I think it’s pretty transformative and well done from a directorial standpoint: lots of good long shots and point of view shots from the car where Ben is speeding through traffic.”

A similar sentiment was echoed by another fan who wrote: “This movie has aged surprisingly well, the storytelling and writing is done beautifully. The closeups and constant references to water and nature create a feeling of worry and desperation that has really carried over the years.”

The film’s triumph was further recognised when it secured seven nominations at the 40th Academy Awards, claiming victory for Best Director. In 1996, The Graduate was chosen for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry as “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.

The Graduate is on BBC2 at 11pm on December 5.