The Damned United
Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: October 9, 2009
7.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 69 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
57
Mixed:
6
Negative:
6
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
springonionOct 19, 2009
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.
1 of 1 users found this helpful
8
SpangleNov 30, 2014
Overall, The Damned United is a good film. Great performances from Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall, as well as assured direction from Tom Hooper ensure that The Damned United always stays entirely riveting and fulfilling. It feels a bit shortOverall, The Damned United is a good film. Great performances from Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall, as well as assured direction from Tom Hooper ensure that The Damned United always stays entirely riveting and fulfilling. It feels a bit short at just a little over 90 minutes, but all the same, I would not change much here. It may not be the most historically accurate film ever, but watching Clough's career unfold was incredibly dramatic and, as a soccer fan, informative as well as entertaining. The shots of soccer were done brilliantly as well, as were the interactions between the managers and players. As a whole, there is not a ton to say about this one, other than: you will enjoy this even if you are not soccer fan, but if you are a soccer fan, boy do I have the movie for you.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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9
SusanoOct 6, 2010
Not only the best football film ever, but also one of the best films of 2009. Admittedly, football fans will get a lot more out of it than non-believers, but anyone can appreciate the very well done script (though sometimes a bit off) andNot only the best football film ever, but also one of the best films of 2009. Admittedly, football fans will get a lot more out of it than non-believers, but anyone can appreciate the very well done script (though sometimes a bit off) and excellent performances. Not a big, blockbuster drama about blue men, but at least this has something to keep your attention. With a certain film also out this year that was a case of style over substance, The Damned United delivers a solid, realistic and genuinely great film.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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5
bobbsywSep 5, 2010
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 understandI 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
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
QwertyOct 12, 2009
Michael Sheen is superb, and Colm Meany and the rest of the cast are great as well. And, you need know nothing about soccer (or, as the Brits call it, football) to enjoy and appreciate the film.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
eggyg.Jan 18, 2010
Capture all the football drama & moments without any of sport movie cliche..incredible. Another superb Michael sheen's movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
AndresB.Nov 16, 2009
Wonderful. Sheen gave a terrific performance.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
ChrisJ.Dec 29, 2009
Just simply personal favorite movie of the year.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
TeriNov 21, 2009
Excellent film, great acting.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
RalfbergsNov 19, 2016
Really great movie, especially if you like football and you know the history of English football. Showed the inside of football there in 70's and the amazing Clough's story
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
BroyaxJan 21, 2017
Personnellement je ne suis pas un adepte de ce sport, ni d'aucun sport collectif à dire vrai, ni de sport tout court : on sait les magouilles et les scandales à la fois de l'organisation et des joueurs eux-mêmes, quelle que soit la disciplinePersonnellement je ne suis pas un adepte de ce sport, ni d'aucun sport collectif à dire vrai, ni de sport tout court : on sait les magouilles et les scandales à la fois de l'organisation et des joueurs eux-mêmes, quelle que soit la discipline d'ailleurs : un panier de crabes corrompus, des camés, des dopés et des supporters crétins. L'opium du peuple abruti en somme.

Mais qu'à cela ne tienne, il s'agit surtout d'un film sur les entraîneurs, leur amitié et leurs rivalités et le début à ce qu'il semble (années 70) du sport "business" avant tout. Un peu long mais sans être trop rébarbatif, le Damned united réussit à tenir le spectateur jusqu'au générique, y compris le béotien comme moi qui n'en a rien à foot. C'est grâce à sa réalisation et à son scénario, tous deux bien construits et grâce à ses acteurs qu'il y parvient, Michael Sheen en tête. Et ma foi, c'est déjà pas mal !… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
ahmedaiman1999Apr 15, 2020
I've been putting off watching this for about 3 years or so. That's because I thought this would be a routine sports flick; and although I was obsessed with football at some point in my life, I'm not really into it anymore. It turned out thisI've been putting off watching this for about 3 years or so. That's because I thought this would be a routine sports flick; and although I was obsessed with football at some point in my life, I'm not really into it anymore. It turned out this film is not about football per se; it's about ego. An interest in ego is all you need to watch this. This is a study in human ego made by diving into the psychology of a notorious character. We get to witness his ego emerging, exacerbating, ebbing and then bursting to completely destroy him.

A story of a one-of-a-kind friendship: a bromance of a maternal quality. This is also a profoundly intriguing story about rivalry that I wasn't surprised to find out it's written by Rush screenwriter, Peter Morgan, who dissected it in a brilliant time-shifting narrative that wouldn't be as great if it wasn't for Michael Sheen's committed performance that only with a hint of maturity managed to separate a character in the midst of self-sabotaging himself in the past and one who suffering misfortune because of his hamartia in the present. Tom Hooper's direction is understated yet exquisite, and Morgan's script is old-fashioned yet intelligently written and highly well-constructed. The only issue I have with this is that it's very concerned with its plot almost to a fault. Mind, the characters are more than fleshed-out, but that's not the problem here. The thing is, we often see the characters talking within the context. That ـــespecially with the time-shiftingـــ led to moments where the characters literally name a turning point in the story. This is a nit-pick, though. A bloody midget!

(9/10)… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
DawdlingPoetNov 24, 2021
This is a reasonably good film at depicting the passion people have for a local football team. Good performances from a good cast, particularly Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. Its mainly about the level of influence that the manager has overThis is a reasonably good film at depicting the passion people have for a local football team. Good performances from a good cast, particularly Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. Its mainly about the level of influence that the manager has over the direction the football team take and how much attention others pay to him. I imagine football fans would enjoy this, so I'd recommend it, yes.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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