The Damned United

Michael Sheen as lead actor and Peter Morgan as screenwriter. A winning combination. Consider these films they collaborated on: The Deal, The Queen, Frost/Nixon and now The Damned United. Some fine pedigree.

The Damned United was originally a fiction based on fact novel written by David Peace. In it, the author captured the life of famed Brit football manager Brian Clough during his successes which led to his confrontation 44 day tenure as manager of top Brit football team Leeds United. He did so by imagining Clough's thoughts during this time period, something which obviously he had to create based on facts that he knew. Read by the fine director Stephen Frears it was passed on to Peter Morgan as a prospective joint project. When Stephen was unable to direct, Tom Hooper (John Adams, Elizabeth 1) took over that role. Morgan loved it believed that he and Pearce used similar approaches in developing stories based on fact – fictionalize the characters and events somewhat but retain the integrity and heart of the individuals and the events. Michael Sheen was also brought into the picture and agreed it was a role he'd love to do. Unlike most sports movies which follow a predictable track, the unlucky club or individual who struggles to find its/his heart and unltimately wins the big one, this tale had the makings of a Shakespearean tragedy. The novel was much harsher and darker and Morgan was able to blend the tragic aspects with lighter moments and dialogue.

The script sparkles and the performances by four of the finest male actors, Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney and Jim Broadbent are perfect.

In Hooper's words "Anyone interested in football will be fascinated by Brian Clough. Anyone not interested in football will be fascinated by this great and complex man. I think it's a moving story of friendship, jealousy and betrayal. Films exploring professional rivalry and professional jealousy are rare. But rivalry and jealousy are what everyone has to deal with in almost every job - it's a universal story.

Part 1 of a fine Brian Clough retrospective

Part 2

Julian D.