The Damned United (2009)

It's been a few years since this film came out and when it came out, it was the best football film ever. It still holds the crown as films like Pele, United Passions, Heleno, Montevideo Bog Te Video, United are not better than this. Forest fans and people that know Clough better will disagree with Clough's depiction in this picture. It is inaccurate to say the least, but that doesn't detract from the quality of this film. A more accurate picture could've made this film better for some, but its inaccuracy did not reduce my enjoyment of this film.It is a great film, a story of two friends that go through good times and bad, but it's also a story of two rivals, an underdog vs the man who is the establishment himself (Leeds United, England NT). I wish someone would make "Clough, the Forest years" so we can see more of Sir Brian, his ups and downs, reaching the limit (the unbeaten run, the league, the two European cups) but also real downs (falling out with Taylor, alcoholism) and funny episodes such as punching the fans.All of Nottingham would watch that film and many football fans, make it realistic this time.

It's July 1974. Leeds United is the dominant team. Manager Don Revie (Colm Meaney) leaves his United job to take over England's FA team. Brian Clough (Michael Sheen) takes over the Leeds Unite job and changes the prevailing dirty style of play. He had a hostile history with Revie and the changes cause lot of friction within the team. The movie flashes back 6 years to see Clough struggling as the manager of Derby County. Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall) is his loyal assistant.This is more than a soccer movie. This is a great character study. It owes a lot to the masterful acting from Michael Sheen. Colm Meaney is also terrific as the movie baddie. There is no need to be a soccer fan to see this human story. It's definitely not just the usual sports movie.

The Damned United tells the more or less true story of Brian Clough's catastrophic 44 days as manager of Leeds United. As with many movies based on a true story some facts are changed, embellishments are made. But the heart of the real-life story remains. And what a story it is. Those unfamiliar with the story may wonder why a movie was made about a man who failed. That is certainly not the typical sports movie narrative. But the story of Brian Clough is so much more than those 44 days. And this movie tells that story very well. We see his triumphs, we see his misery. We see him at the pinnacle and at the lowest depths. Through sheer force of personality Brian Clough made himself a success. And then that same forceful personality would be his undoing.Michael Sheen plays Clough and turns in a truly outstanding performance. Clough's personality and brilliance shine through in Sheen's performance. The haughty pride, bitterness and resentment which were a part of Clough are also laid bare. Clough was certainly a flawed character but an undeniably fascinating one. Sheen brings him to life perfectly. There are some key supporting players who help. Timothy Spall plays Clough's right-hand man Peter Taylor. Jim Broadbent plays a club chairman. And Colm Meaney plays the villain of the piece, Don Revie, the Leeds manager whom Clough is obsessed with bettering. In truth of course Revie is a villain only in Clough's mind. Revie's teams won but in Clough's mind they did not win the right way. Clough was out on a crusade to win soccer matches properly, without resorting to the dirty tactics of Leeds. All well and good until you go to Leeds yourself and tell your new players they're a bunch of cheaters.Rather then tell a straightforward tale, following Clough from his successes at Derby to his disaster at Leeds the film jumps back and forth in time, between the two story lines. We see Clough floundering at Leeds, jump back to his glory at Derby, then go forward to Leeds again. The film maintains this setup throughout, bringing the two stories together wonderfully. Even with all the back and forth the story still flows very well. And doing it this way ties everything together much better. Rather than seeing a simple rise and fall we are taken on quite a roller coaster ride, the highest of highs followed by the lowest of lows and back again. Seeing Clough's struggles at Leeds gives a different perspective when we then see him at his best at Derby. All the way through Sheen is spot-on in every moment. He owns the character. The likes of Spall, Broadbent and Meaney make their contribution but make no mistake this is Sheen's film through and through. There are some little quibbles to be made with the film. You do wish they could have stuck a little closer to the truth at times, some of the events here are twisted around rather unnecessarily. The facts of the story should have been good enough, the movie is let down somewhat by some of its fiction. The soccer action we see is not always convincing but it works well enough. And we really only see limited bits of action anyway. This is not a film about the players, not about the sport, but about Brian Clough. We see Clough succeed beyond anyone's wildest expectations at little Derby and we see him cut down to size at big, bad Leeds. It is a film which provides a compelling look at a truly fascinating man. Brian Clough is such a great character, the flawed hero you can't tear your eyes away from. The Damned United is a movie which does that hero justice.

It has to be said that there is not much competition for best film in this category.Probably the last half decent film,The Arsenal stadium Mystery was made in 1939!It is a tour de force for both leading actors.However there is one point on which i will take issue,namely the reason Cloughie hated Revie.Revie was known as "Don Reddies".the reason is that it is alleged that Revie tried to fix games.Never ever proved but no smoke without fire.It is also true that Revie produced one of the most detested teams of all time.They could all play but they preferred to intimidate.It is ironic then that at the end of his managerial career Clough was found guilty of certain offences.however his image,unlike Revies is not tarnished.He managed an opposition club but i still hold him in affection.