The Damned United

For those who don't know, it is the story of Brian Clough's disastrous 44 day reign at Leeds United - the team he despised.

Michael Sheen as Brian Clough is brilliant, as was his David Frost, as was his Kenneth Williams and Tony Blair. I am always surprised when I see Michael being interviewed, I think - that's not him because I associate him with each character he plays.

Clough quotes:-

"I wouldn't say I was the best manager in the business. But I was in the top one" - On his own success.

"If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there" - On the importance of passing the ball to feet.

"I only ever hit Roy the once. He got up so I couldn't have hit him very hard" - On dealing with Roy Keane.

"We talk about it for 20 minutes and then we decide I was right" - On dealing with players who disagree with him.

"At last England have appointed a manager who speaks English better than the players" - On the appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"I'm sure the England selectors thought if they took me on and gave me the job, I'd want to run the show. They were shrewd because that's exactly what I would have done" - On not getting the England manager's job.
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EDIT: I thought this film was terrific. It wasn't a football story, it was a story of love and friendship between Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. I agree with Moptop, Don Revie did not come off well at all.

I knew about Clough in a peripheral way as he didn't manage any team that I supported. I know that he is a hero of Roy Keane's and now know where Keane got his line about the prawn sandwich brigade.

I thought it was a very authentic looking period piece, the area around the Baseball Ground looked dirty and seedy in a 1970's way. I loved the authentic grottiness of the pitch for the FA Cup match between Derby and Leeds.

I liked the way the film was shot with showing how the rivalry between Clough and Revie started. Although Revie says on the Austen Mitchell show that he was unaware of the snub he gave Cough, I don't believe that for a second, and in his heart of hearts, Revie would have probably looked back and thought it was a better idea to have shaken Clough's hand. But then, there wouldn't have really been a story without the rivalry.

By starting with the rivalry and the early Derby County days, it was easy to see where Clough came by his arrogance and supreme confidence in himself and his abilities. Saying that, Clough (even if he didn't want to admit it at times) needed his foil Peter Taylor, as Peter was strong in football and in life where Clough wasn't. Taylor was the perfect balance to Clough. Their friendship was very strong and the scene where Clough apologised to Taylor was hysterical. Without Taylor in his life, Clough would not have been half the manager he was.

The football, and mercifully there was very little of it, was fun to watch in a nostalgic way. My, football really did used to be a man's game. There was no room for the puffed up chests and the "gentleness" we have in the modern game. Towel, orange and cigarettes - ah the old days.

I left wanting more. I wanted to see in more detail the Nottingham Forest days and the march to the two European Cups in 1979 and 1980. I loved the footage of the real Clough and Taylor at the end. You could clearly see their affection for each other.

Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall were excellent as always. Michael Sheen did break into some David Frost moments in the film, and I don't mean the late night call to Don Revie. There were some mannerisms, and I thought when did David Frost decide to inhabit this movie.

So all in all, a good film whether you like football or not. I do think that Clough's family should see it because he comes off as driven, but human, rather better than he did in the book.