A classic film hailed as a "masterpiece" by audiences is broadcasting today. Boasting a truly exceptional cast, headlined by the late Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts,Dame Maggie Smith and Bob Hoskins, Hook mesmerised audiences upon its initial release in 1991.

The film, helmed by Steven Spielberg, chronicles the infamous Captain James Hook as he abducts Peter's children, forcing the now adult lawyer (Robin), who has forgotten his entire past, to return to Neverland and the Lost Boys to reclaim his youthful essence and confront his former nemesis.

Roberts led the cast as Peter Pan, Bob assumed the part of Smee, while Dame Maggie gave a profoundly emotional portrayal as Granny Wendy, following her youthful escapades with Peter.

The ensemble also included music icon Phil Collins, Caroline Goodall and Dante Basco as the cherished Rufio, commander of the Lost Boys, reports The Mirror.

Surprisingly, upon its debut, Hook failed to win over (adult) critics and received a 29% score from professional reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

Critics pointed to its unevenness and "terrible child roles", yet audiences rate it almost 50% higher, at 76%. Numerous fans have condemned the film's modest rating, maintaining that the classic picture is a "masterpiece."

One viewer posted on Reddit: "I think the critic rating was abysmally wrong. Imo this movie is a masterpiece. I think Spielberg hated it because it hits too close to home.

"Sometimes as artists we make things that we don't understand or embrace until much later, where unintended meaning slips through."

They went on to say: "His biggest complaint and his thoughts on changing it - adding green screen/mocap - are wild to read about when to me the overt set reinforces the hallucination/dream framing of the entire movie. Hook with a green screen would be terrible."

Another remarked: "I was well into my twenties before I even realized that this movie was widely disliked. It was always a classic in my mind, and still is."

A third viewer praised on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, "This is truly one of the greatest childhood movies. I just introduced my 4and5 year-old to this movie this evening and they were engrossed from the second it started. I even cried a few times with pure happiness for the memories it brought back."

Another said that it was 'the best childhood film of all time'. One insisted: "Hook is a masterpiece of film. There is nothing more to say. It's perfect,"

Meanwhile one devoted fan added: "This defined my childhood. I was completely enthralled by this movie. I watched it for the first time in 25 years this past weekend and it was just as perfect as it was then."

Hook airs on Channel 5 at 2.45pm on Saturday, May 2