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Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 31 Ratings

  • Summary: Set in 1960’s and 1970’s England, The Damned United tells the confrontational and darkly humorous story of Brian Clough’s doomed 44 day tenure as manager of the reigning champions of English football Leeds United. Previously managed by his bitter rival Don Revie, and on the back of their mosir most successful period ever as a football club, Leeds was perceived by many to represent a new aggressive and cynical style of football - an anathema to the principled yet flamboyant Brian Clough, who had achieved astonishing success as manager of Hartlepool and Derby County building teams in his own vision with trusty lieutenant Peter Taylor. Taking the Leeds job without Taylor by his side, with a changing room full of what in his mind were still Don’s boys, would lead to an unheralded examination of Clough’s belligerence and brilliance over 44 days. This is that story. The story of The Damned United. (Sony Pictures Classics) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 27
  2. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. A pitch-perfect portrait of a man full of inspiration and ambition - and full of himself.
  2. Ultimately it's Sheen, finding new facets of his character in every scene, who shoots and scores.
  3. Reviewed by: Bob Mondello
    80
    A dramedy laying out the dueling coaching philosophies of guys who doubtless meant a great deal to fans, but of whom I'd been blissfully unaware for decades -- is enormously engaging. Enormously.
  4. Reviewed by: William Thomas
    60
    Sheen thrives in the guise of the idiosyncratic Clough in a brilliantly candid, if bitty, football parable.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. ChrisJ.
    10
    Just simply personal favorite movie of the year.
  2. AndresB.
    10
    Wonderful. Sheen gave a terrific performance.
  3. springonion
    9
    Superb film which sees Sheen capture the memory of Clough in his own way. Indeed the whole movie seems to capture the era that was 1970s football in Britain; wonderfully engaging. Expand
  4. I watched and thoroughly enjoyed this film - some excellent performances, great sets and a fine script - but it left a sour taste in my mouth afterwards when I found out just how much of this had just been fabricated. I mean, I understand about artistic license and all that, but altering the actual football results just to tell a better story? That's madness! There are so many irrefutable factual inaccuracies here it beggars belief. Treat it as a work of fiction and it won't disappoint. Just don't expect to learn anything. Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

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