The Dammed United
Most of the readers of this blog, are not soccer fans.
I am, and I would recommend this film, to them. Like the recent Sandra Bullock movie- a sports movie
Firstly I must say something about Michael Sheen’s performance as Brian Clough, it is spectacular.
I am, and I would recommend this film, to them. Like the recent Sandra Bullock movie- a sports movie
Firstly I must say something about Michael Sheen’s performance as Brian Clough, it is spectacular.
I remember Brian Clough at the twilight of his career, when he was doing guest performances on Sport in Question.( Which was required viewing for year 5 in High school)
Clough was a brilliant but big headed and reckless manager. He is named checked by Muhammed Ali, he would win successes with several teams, but never achieve his real goal of managing England
His son Nigel also made a career in the game. Nigel, would be one of the blond boys following his father
Anyway, this is a period piece, in the same vein as Mad Men and Life on Mars.
Clough was a brilliant but big headed and reckless manager. He is named checked by Muhammed Ali, he would win successes with several teams, but never achieve his real goal of managing England
His son Nigel also made a career in the game. Nigel, would be one of the blond boys following his father
Anyway, this is a period piece, in the same vein as Mad Men and Life on Mars.
A reconstruction of the near past. Black and white television’s John Craven’s newsround- Cigarette smoke lingers indoors. The boys read Wizard. The fish and chips are wrapped in Newspapers.
Clough says at one point it is illegal to sign a player on the Sabbath. English Soccer would not play Games on Sundays until the 1970’s
The city of Leeds, civic pride plays a role in the piece. I wonder would it now, in these days of Russian Oligarchs, Arab sheiks, and American speculators dominating the English game, as opposed to wealthy Lorry owners
The plot of the piece, revolves around Brian Clough, taking charge of Leeds United.
The city of Leeds, civic pride plays a role in the piece. I wonder would it now, in these days of Russian Oligarchs, Arab sheiks, and American speculators dominating the English game, as opposed to wealthy Lorry owners
The plot of the piece, revolves around Brian Clough, taking charge of Leeds United.
Leeds united were the top dogs of English football at the time. They played a very physical type of football. Which some observers disapproved of. Brian Clough who was something of a football purist loathed Leeds. Clough loathed their Manager, Don Revie. Revie who would step in the post vacated by Sir Alf Ramsey- England Manager . Left an opening and an inheritance
Brian Clough as the best young manager in English football, was quickly snapped up by Leeds United FC
Colm Meaney works hard on a Yorkshire accent. Mr. Crowe take note. In fact just watch Mr. Sheen. Sheen played Tony Blair with equal aplomb. Rather cheekily played Nero in a similar vein.
The film taps on the fourth wall with Clough mentioning Prawn Sandwiches. This was part of a diatribe from Roy Keane against the gentrification of football . Keane was formerly of Manchester United, but discovered by Brian Clough
So the film is the story of an obsession. Clough’s obsession with Revie, and United. Which would be his undoing. The amour popre with United, comes from an imagined slight, at an FA cup game. In pursuing his slight against Leeds and Revie. Clough falls out with his right hand. Peter Taylor. Taylor would leave Clough to seek his fortunes at Brighton
(Taylor played by Timothy Spall)
Clough is banned from the touchline, in one game. We see him sitting in the office. Waiting for the news. Like a general, he has sent his troops out and must hope and pray for the best
Clough is shown at the mercy of the fans, and the players. To whom Don Revie, was always Mr Revie
QPR are named checked several times. Clough tells the Leeds Utd Players, ( In their Admiral strips and Purple Tracksuits, the film is a master of the mundane) To stop Stan Bowles and they stop QPR.
Brian Clough as the best young manager in English football, was quickly snapped up by Leeds United FC
Colm Meaney works hard on a Yorkshire accent. Mr. Crowe take note. In fact just watch Mr. Sheen. Sheen played Tony Blair with equal aplomb. Rather cheekily played Nero in a similar vein.
The film taps on the fourth wall with Clough mentioning Prawn Sandwiches. This was part of a diatribe from Roy Keane against the gentrification of football . Keane was formerly of Manchester United, but discovered by Brian Clough
So the film is the story of an obsession. Clough’s obsession with Revie, and United. Which would be his undoing. The amour popre with United, comes from an imagined slight, at an FA cup game. In pursuing his slight against Leeds and Revie. Clough falls out with his right hand. Peter Taylor. Taylor would leave Clough to seek his fortunes at Brighton
(Taylor played by Timothy Spall)
Clough is banned from the touchline, in one game. We see him sitting in the office. Waiting for the news. Like a general, he has sent his troops out and must hope and pray for the best
Clough is shown at the mercy of the fans, and the players. To whom Don Revie, was always Mr Revie
QPR are named checked several times. Clough tells the Leeds Utd Players, ( In their Admiral strips and Purple Tracksuits, the film is a master of the mundane) To stop Stan Bowles and they stop QPR.
QPR are top of the old second Division. This made my heart glad. I watch and support QPR
Oh and Brighton, is not yet the home of alternative lifestyles it is now. Brighton is the home of the Blue rinse brigade and Tories. Brighton, is derided by Clough as being almost France.
Its a study in Ambition and obsession, that which drives you on can drive you mad. As Garbage sing.
Oh and Brighton, is not yet the home of alternative lifestyles it is now. Brighton is the home of the Blue rinse brigade and Tories. Brighton, is derided by Clough as being almost France.
Its a study in Ambition and obsession, that which drives you on can drive you mad. As Garbage sing.
Professional performances all round. A slice of social history and an solid film
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Michael Sheen also picks up a cheque in the Twlight series