UF Reviews: The Damned United

Michael Sheen is transcendent as Brian Clough

Through forces clearly stronger than any of us (the specter of Norwichomon lingers on, apparently), our movie reviews have taken until today to make it onto the site. Some blame alcohol. Some blame the referees. Most, correctly, blame me, but that’s beside the point.

After the jump, our UFers weigh in on The Damned United.

THE NY KID:
The Damned United is ostensibly the story of Brian Clough’s short tenure at Leeds United, but it is more about his dysfunctional relationships with assistant Peter Taylor and rival Don Revie. As someone who knew relatively little about Clough’s story, I found the film fascinating in its exploration of his tortuous path throughout English football. Clough’s brusque and derisive manner towards Taylor was surpassed only by his obsessive competitiveness with Revie, and both men came to define his life on and off the pitch. The film really does an excellent job of demonstrating how football consumed Clough to the point that he alienated the entire staff and all of the players at Leeds, resulting in his dismissal after little more than a month. Considering that his resignation from Derby County had come after a similar row with the board of that club, Clough was clearly a divisive figure who often let his emotions rule him. He comes off, however, as a man with failings and positive attributes like any other.

While startlingly arrogant in his dealings with Taylor, his players, and the boards of most of his clubs, he was also a brilliant manager who saw stunning success on the pitch with numerous clubs. The Damned United appears to be an even-handed portrayal of Clough, flaws and all, and it comes highly recommended.

IAN:
Didn’t know anything about the Leeds United Story or Brian Clough, but I loved the movie. Captured the essence of 1970s English football; nasty, brutish, and very working class. The actor who played Clough was really funny, and Colm Meaney was great as well. Even my non sports loving girlfriend was highly entertained by the film. The football sequences were well done, but I thought the director made the right choice to demphasize the action segments and focus more on action off the pitch. Would enthusiastically recommend this movie to anyone who likes well written, entertaining fare.

NORFOLK NED:
The Damned United explores two fundamental human traits, loyalty and jealousy. Both are portrayed in the film, which looks closely at Brian Clough’s 44 day disastrous reign as manager of Leeds United. Clough’s friendship with long time pal and assistant Peter Taylor is not the only compelling story line throughout the film, Clough’s unhealthy obsession with Don Revie and Leeds United is the real focus here. An obsession that started after Revie snubbed Clough on a visit to Derby with Leeds. The non-meeting inspired Clough to not only beat Revie but to outdo Revie’s achievements when handed the reins at Leeds after Revie leaves for the England job. To say Clough finds it hard to fit into the departing Revie’s shoes would be an understatement. The players don’t want to play for him and his dislike for Revie and Leeds style alienates the team and the fans almost immediately, bringing a terrible run of defeats.

Don’t be mistaken into thinking that you have to love football to enjoy this film, you don’t. While the 70’s football footage is excellent as are the recreated moments, the film spends most of its time exploring the relationships featured. Michael Sheen is fantastic as Clough and you only have to trawl through all the available Clough documentaries and clips on Youtube to see how close Sheen was in his portrayal. The rest of the casting is superb also. Colm Meaney not only looks like Don Revie, he does an great job portraying the man who not only encouraged Leeds to be the dirtiest team in England but made them the best team in the country doing so.

There are so many great moments in the film, but my favorite was a Yorkshire television showdown as Revie and Clough appear together on screen. Clough, surprised as Revie appears, is asked to defend his comments criticizing Revie’s achievements at Leeds and to defend his actions. Once you have seen the film, find and watch the actual interview. You will be amazed at how well Sheen and Meaney recreate the moment.

Spall portrays Taylor perfectly

The supporting cast of Timothy Spall as Taylor and Jim Broadbent as Derby Chairman Sam Longson add the finishing touches to a brilliantly written and directed film. While there is certainly a lot of added drama to drive the film along, drama that Cloughs family and friends instead is pure fiction, the film seems to achieve a balance, highlighting Clough’s obsession and determination, while also displaying him as the great man he was.

The Damned United is a very entertaining film that not only serves to share Clough’s character with the next generations, warts and all, it also does a great job of depicting the time. A period when footballers got away with incredible fouls and smoked like chimneys, were completely unfit yet down to earth in character.

It was also incredible to see the famous punch Kevin Keegan received from Billy Bremner during the not so charitable ‘Charity shield’ of 1974. Modern football fans will be fascinated by the evolution of the game over the last 30 years while watching the Damned United, and not all of the changes are for the good either.

Must see film. 4 out of 5.

JAMES T:
While not many stateside have heard of Brian Clough, the themes of the book-turned-movie charting his awful time in charge at Leeds United are universal. Delusion, passion, self-confidence and self-doubt. Jealousy. Commitment. Insecurity. The drive for fame. At his best, Clough embodied these traits and inspired the teams under his charge to victory. At worst, like his 44-day tenure at Leeds United, he tore them, and himself, apart.

The script darts from past to present, juxtaposing Clough’s early success at a provincial club (Derby County) and unstoppable hubris nicely against his efforts to assert himself and his cocky philosophies at an established club (Leeds) where his swagger was unwanted and unneeded. Star turns abound in the supporting cast from Broadbent (as Derby chairman Sam Longson), Colm Meanie as Leeds’ exiting manager Don Revie, the man against whom Clough is constantly trying to measure up, and Timothy Spall as Clough’s right-hand man Peter Taylor (not to mention a charming effort by Steven Graham as Leeds captain and central “thug” Billy Bremner). However, the movie revolves around Michael Sheen, whose careful, measured portrayal of Clough is just the latest feather in an impressive cap. He nails the mood swings and torment of the enigmatic manager, a man whose aspirations and obsessions consumed him and ultimately swallowed him whole.

A mesmerizing movie — and forget the “soccer movie” tag. While there are snippets of recreated games and archival footage, Clough’s story is much bigger than the sport in which it unfolded. A wonderfully-paced drama.

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