The Damned United
Director: Tom Hooper
Cert: 15
Time: 1 hr 37 mins
The years 1973-74 were not the happiest in the life of one Brian Howard Clough. It all started when Ol’ Big ‘ed, as he liked to be known, decided to commit career suicide by calling the bluff of the Derby County board and offering up his resignation. Much to his surprise, they accepted and he departed (along with a collaterally damaged Taylor), under a cloud. Having left the frying pan he then jumped into the fire when, some ten months later, he accepted the job as Manager of Leeds United, a team for whom he only had contempt. That this should also end in tears, after a mere 44 days, was probably evident to everyone bar Clough, whose sizeable ego somewhat blinded him.
The Dammed United, based on the brilliant David Peace novel of the same name, tells the story of this turbulent period together with how Clough and his erstwhile assistant Peter Taylor came to reach a position of pre-eminence in the footballing world. The film is a period delight, depicting perfectly the down at heal look of football in the seventies. And Michael Sheen plays Clough with an eerie physical and verbal perfection, aided by a wonderful script packed with coruscating one liners - Clough was noted for his verbal put downs. Add to that excellent performances by Timothy Spall (Peter Taylor), Colm Meaney (Revie) and Jim Broadbent as the put upon Derby Chairman, Sam Longson and you have the makings of a fine film.
Whilst the subject matter might not appeal to everyone, if you do like football and are old enough to remember the seventies, it’s a complete delight.
Rating 4/5
Patrons: Circa 40
CA
