NATALIE WOOD was a much beloved star until her untimely death. On Monday, March 1, at 9 p.m., ABC relates her life story, as she careens from the heights of superstardom to her watery tomb in 1981. British Actress JUSTINE WADDELL plays Natalie, and “Navy NCIS”’s MICHAEL WEATHERLY stars as ROBERT WAGNER, the love of her life. The TV movie was co-executive producer by Natalie’s sister LANA WOOD, who says, “It’s all so bittersweet, I have to take a deep breath and watch it all unfold. I think Natalie would watch and say thank you for remembering me.”

Based on several biographies — and testimonials from friends and family — this 2004 telefilm looks at the life and times of the glamorous, ill-fated actress (played by Justine Waddell, “Mansfield Park”). The child of Russian immigrants, young Natasha Gurdin was a shy creature who was pushed into movies by a domineering mother. Changing her name to Natalie Wood, she found success in films like “Miracle on 34th Street” — but she soon wanted to change her goody-two-shoes image. She took leaps in her personal life too — marrying, divorcing and then remarrying the love of her life, Robert Wagner (Michael Weatherly, “Dark Angel”) before her tragic death in 1981. Peter Bogdanovich (“The Last Picture Show,” “Mask”) directs.

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