Trailer
Plot summary
In 1974 Don Revie leaves Leeds United to become manager of England, and Brian Clough is chosen to replace him. Clough, the former manager of Derby County, has criticized Leeds for years over the physical style of play the club used under Revie. That hostility goes back to a 1968 FA Cup tie at the Baseball Ground, where Revie did not acknowledge the welcome Clough had prepared for him. Clough's long-time assistant, Peter Taylor, prefers to stay at Brighton and does not come with him. On his first day of training at Leeds, Clough tells the players they have only ever won by cheating and warns them against mentioning Revie's name.
Cast
- David Roperas Sam Bolton
- Jimmy Reddingtonas Keith Archer
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Damned United (2009)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Dave Mackay sued Left Bank Pictures over his portrayal in the film, angered at the implication that he had betrayed Clough in taking the Derby manager's job, and in March 2010 he received an apology and undisclosed damages from the company.
- BBC Sport journalist Pat Murphy, a personal friend of Clough, noted 17 factual inaccuracies in the film and dismissed as "absolute nonsense" a scene where Clough stays in the Derby dressing room during a match against Leeds, too nervous to watch.
- Michael Sheen was chosen because of his physical resemblance to Clough, and when Stephen Frears suggested he play the part, Sheen "rolled his eyes and burst into a wonderful impersonation" of Clough.
- Stephen Frears was to direct, with photography scheduled for the end of 2007, but pulled out that November saying he had "set out in pursuit of something that was leading him down a blind alley"; Tom Hooper replaced him and researched Clough through Duncan Hamilton's biography.
- Chesterfield F.C.'s Saltergate stood in for Wembley Stadium, the Baseball Ground, Carrow Road and Bloomfield Road, chosen because it had not undergone significant structural modifications since the 1970s, with repainting used to tell the grounds apart.
- Clough's widow Barbara was disappointed the film was being made at all and the family declined an invitation to a preview, while Sony's decision to release it six days after what would have been Clough's 74th birthday was also criticized.
