The Damned United

The Damned United is a 2009 British sports drama film directed by Tom Hooper and adapted by Peter Morgan from David Peaces bestselling novel The Damned Utd, a largely fictional book based on the authors interpretation of Brian Cloughs illfated tenure as football manager of Leeds United in 1974. It was produced by BBC Films and Left Bank Pictures, with additional funding from Screen Yorkshire and Columbia Pictures. Sony Pictures Entertainment distributed the film. The film was originally proposed by Stephen Frears, but he pulled out of the project in November 2007. Hooper took his place and film was shot from May to July 2008. The film marks the fifth collaboration between screenwriter Peter Morgan and actor Michael Sheen, who plays Clough. The film was released in the United Kingdom onMarch 2009, and in North America onSeptember.

The roots of Cloughs conflict with Leeds are depicted as happening in a 1968 FA Cup match between Leeds, the leaders of the First Division and Derby, who were struggling near the bottom of the Second Division. Clough, assuming Revie to be a similar man to himself, as they grew up in the same part of Middlesbrough and both played for Sunderland, made many preparations for the match come the day of the match however, Revie failed to even acknowledge Clough upon entering the Baseball Ground. Derby eventually lost 20. Although Clough initially blames the brutality of the Leeds players, he and Taylor recognise that their side are not good on a technical level. So they sign veteran Dave Mackay Brian McCardie, along with several other young players. Chairman Sam Longson Jim Broadbent is extremely anxious about the investment, as well as the fact that Clough did not consult him before signing Mackay. However, in 1969 Derby are promoted. They once again face Leeds, only to lose 50. The club win their first ever League championship in 1972, meaning a European Cup campaign the following year. They go through to the semifinals against Juventus. Unfortunately, against Longsons advice, Clough uses his best squad in the last match before the semifinal, against Leeds, purely out of pride and determination to beat Revie. They suffer injuries and Billy Bremner Stephen Graham sarcastically wishes Clough well for the semifinal. Juventus defeat them 31, and Clough publicly lambasts Longson.Taylor then suffers a heart attack, and Clough tries to secure his position by offering his and Taylors resignations in a protest against the chairmans unwilligness to fund further signings. To his horror, the club accepts their resignations and bans them from entering the Baseball Ground again although Clough later sneaks in as a supporter. Derby fans outrage raises Cloughs hopes of being reinstated, and he is backed by the majority of his players as well, but former player Dave Mackay is a

Source: Wikipedia