Get it on
The best football film ever made is on Freeview tonight.
What better way to decontaminate yourself of Royal Wedding toxins, reflect on the FA Cup result and consider whether it’s healthy to watch that much TV in a single day.
The Damned United is a 2009 biographical sports drama, starring Michael Sheen as Brian Clough and Timothy Spall as Peter Taylor.
Based on a largely fictional book of the same name written by David Peace, the film depicts the ill-fated 44 days Clough managed Leeds United.
The film grossed $4.1 million on a $10 million production budget. It was nominated for best supporting actor at the British Independent Film Award, the ALFS Award for British supporting actor of the year, the Satellite Award for best actor in a motion picture, drama and best actor in a supporting role and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award for best feature film screenplay.
Set at Leeds United in 1974, the fact-based drama charts Brian Clough’s short time as boss of the club, after Don Revie’s departure for the England job. Following his acrimonious departure from Derby County,, Clough arrived at Elland Road on a wave of controversy, after previously being an outspoken critic of the club, and struggled to find allies among the playing staff.
The Damned United is on BBC Two at 10.35pm on May 19.
