Quick Info
"The Damned United" is very much a character study wrapped inside a sports drama, telling the story of Brian Clough’s infamously short spell as manager of Leeds United in the 1970s. It’s not your typical underdog tale or rah-rah sports flick. Instead, it’s more about obsession, ego, and rivalry, all swirling around football. Michael Sheen’s performance as Clough is magnetic—he captures both the irresistible charm and the prickly arrogance of a man convinced he's destined for greatness, even as he’s walking into a political minefield.
The film really stands out in how it doesn't shy away from making its lead character unlikeable at times. It’s almost more about Clough’s flaws than his successes, which is refreshing. The script, based on David Peace's novel, is sharp and unsentimental, and there's constant friction between Clough and his assistant Peter Taylor (played with understated warmth by Timothy Spall), as well as his bitter rivalry with Don Revie. The antagonism is genuinely entertaining and gives the movie most of its energy.
Where it doesn't quite excel is in its depiction of the actual football—the matches themselves are mostly shown as quick, impressionistic flashes rather than thrilling set pieces. If you’re looking for extended, edge-of-your-seat sport action, you might be a bit let down. But honestly, that’s not the vibe here; it's far more interested in the offices, locker rooms, and the psychological chess games off the pitch.
Cinematography-wise, the film bathes in a '70s palette, complete with gloomy English skies and muted interiors, which adds to the feeling of being steeped in football’s grittier history. The period details—costumes, hair, even the way football culture is depicted—are lovingly recreated. It feels authentic, sometimes claustrophobically so.
You would enjoy this if you’re drawn to flawed but fascinating main characters, love British cinema, or have any passing interest in football history. Even if soccer isn’t your thing, there’s something universally compelling about ambition and rivalry crashing together. It’s not a rousing sports triumph, but a sharp, memorable look at what happens when talent and stubbornness collide.
