The movie is a look at Brian Clough's 44-day reign as the coach of Leeds United. Previously managed by Clough's bitter rival Don Revie, the Leeds team has just completed its most successful period ever as a football club.
8 May 1984, Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland, UK
6 May 1975, London, England, UK
1969, Northumberland, England, UK
5 February 1969, Newport, Gwent, Wales, UK
20 June 1944, Bradford, Yorkshire, England, UK
15 December 1969, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK
22 January 1965, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
21 March 1935, Middlesbrough, North Riding, Yorkshire, England, UK
14 April 1978, South Africa
11 October 1957, Fenton, Staffordshire, England, UK
24 May 1949, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, UK
30 May 1953, Dublin, Ireland
1977, Harrogate, Yorkshire, England, UK
9 December 1962, Bradford, Yorkshire, England, UK
8 October 1980, Grappenhall, Cheshire, England, UK
13 March 1998, Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK
October 20, 2014
The Damned United eliminates the existential anguish and pain that propelled Peace's novel, and curtails its lowering style.October 30, 2009
The Damned United is a thoughtful and entertaining study on the perils of ambition that has little to do with soccer and a lot to do with being human. Well-played.October 23, 2009
One of [its] primary pleasures...is that, in choosing a topic as narrow and parochial as the fate of an English soccer club, Morgan has relieved himself of any duty to persuade us that the events he describes are of world-historical import.November 24, 2009
Two things that the British know that most Americans don't: Michael Sheen is the best actor in the English-speaking world; and soccer is the only football that matters.October 23, 2009
A finely constructed and fiercely entertaining soccer movie that deals more in pride and obsession than penalty kicks.September 25, 2010
Michael Sheen has played vampires and werewolves, but works up his most insatiable bloodlust as Brian Clough in this sharply observed, superbly acted drama that realizes sports forms as nasty a symbiotic relationship with a nation's people as politics.August 09, 2010
Morgan, Hooper and Sheen have crafted a moving, funny and loving tribute to the spirit of a man who effortlessly defined the spirit of the greatest sport ever.October 27, 2010
If soccer is a Shakespearean drama, then The Damned United is Richard III.January 31, 2011
as foreign for American audiences as a story about one of Billy Martin's stints with the Yankees would be in the U.K.April 20, 2010
A provocative, darkly funny and particularly damning character study of hubris couched in idealism.November 11, 2009
The Damned United is a most entertaining study in obsession wrapped in a traditional sports movie.October 23, 2009
[Michael Sheen] adds to his gallery of public figures (Tony Blair, David Frost) with a sharp performance here as the legendary UK soccer coach Brian Clough.