The Damned United (DVD)

Think of Brian Clough and you might think of Nottingham Forest, European Cups and a penchant for green jumpers. What you probably won't think of is Leeds United. And yet, this is precisely what The Damned United concentrates on: the disastrous 44 day spell when Brian Clough took over as manager of Leeds United, following in the footsteps of bitter rival Don Revie. At first it looks a rather odd choice for storyline. After all the glory Clough brought to many of the clubs he managed, it seems unfair to concentrate on his greatest failure. As it turns out, though, it's a good call. By focussing in on this period of Clough's career, the film makers are ...  Read the complete review

"I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one" Brian Clough was undoubtedly one of the all-time greats in English football. With an incredible 251 goals in 274 games, "Old Big 'Ead" deserved far more than the two international caps he actually received. After being forced to hang up his boots prematurely due to injury, he took up management at the age of 30 - and was the youngest manager in the football league. Few men have gone on from being great footballers to become great managers, but Clough's exploits surpassed any achievements during his playing career. Highlights ...  Read the complete review

It's never easy to make good sports movies, especially a British one, and one about football too. Well the good news is we have a belter here, Michael Sheen's quite brilliant performance as the mercurial football manger Brian Clough a work of art. He's absolutely nailed 'Old Big Ed' and if you throw in a brilliant script and a clever and contrived narrative thread you certainly have the best British football movie ever made. Not that the competition was strong mind. Based on David Pearce's award winning book 'The Dammed United', about the events around Cloughs infamous 44 days management at Leeds United back in the 70s, Peter Morgan's brilliant screenplay ...  Read the complete review

When I was growing up I was a really big Leeds United fan and my mum and dad would take me to the games, I really enjoyed watching football. So when I got the opportunity to watch this film I jumped at the chance, I was not even born in the seventies so I thought it would be a great insight into the history of the club I loved. The film is not based around Leeds United, it is the story of Brian Clough and in particular his short spell at Leeds. I know who Brian Clough is but always remember him at Nottingham Forrest. He was only the manager for 44 days, and in that time he managed to alienate all the star players and lead the team to a string of disasterous ...  Read the complete review

The Damned United follows the story of the legendary manager Brian Clough (Michael Sheen). The film starts out at Derby County when they were bottom of the old second divison. With Clough's fantastic managing abilities and Peter Taylor's fantastic scouting abilities, they gain promotion to the first division on their first attempt. During that season, Clough first meets his arch rival Don Revie, who manages Leeds United, during a 3rd round FA Cup game. Don Revie offends Clough by not shaking his hand added to the fact that the Leeds team had one the game through cheating. During the next season, with some new signings, Clough's Derby County team goes on to ...  Read the complete review