The Damned United

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 This article or section contains information about one or more scheduled or expected films.
The content will change as the film's release approaches and more information becomes available.
For the novel on which this film is based, see The Damned Utd.
The Damned United
Directed by Tom Hooper
Produced by Andy Harries
Christine Langan[1]
Grainne Marmion[1]
Written by Peter Morgan
Starring Michael Sheen
Colm Meaney
Timothy Spall
Distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment (worldwide)
Release date(s) 2009[1]
Country United Kingdom
Language English
Budget £5 million[2]

The Damned United[3] is a 2009 British film directed by Tom Hooper and adapted by Peter Morgan from David Peace's bestselling novel The Damned Utd. It will be produced by BBC Films and Left Bank Pictures, with additional backing from Screen Yorkshire and Columbia Pictures.[1] Domestic distribution will be controlled by Optimum Releasing and international sales will be handled by Sony Pictures Entertainment. The film was originally proposed by Stephen Frears but he pulled out of the project in November 2007.

Contents

[edit] Premise

See also: Brian Clough#Leeds United and Leeds United A.F.C. History#1974 Brian Clough: 44 days of turmoil

The narrative is told from the perspective of Brian Clough (Sheen), the new manager of Leeds United. Clough despises Leeds, its players, and the former club manager Don Revie. The club wins only one of six games in the 44 days Clough is manager, and the board of directors sacks him.

[edit] Cast

  • Colm Meaney as Don Revie. Meaney was rumoured to be in negotiations for the part in February 2008 and was officially announced as a cast member in April.[6][2] Kenneth Branagh was reported to be considered for the role.[7]
  • Jim Broadbent as Sam Longson. Broadbent was expected to have a role[8] and was announced as a cast member along with Spall and Meaney in April.[2]

Some parts originally in the book were excised from the film; Johnny Giles' court action against Faber resulted in any reference to him being removed from future editions of the book, and his removal from the film.[10]

[edit] Production

Frears read Peace's book and immediately sent it to Peter Morgan, the writer of The Queen. Morgan enjoyed it, saying "It deals with themes I love: Alcoholism and self-destruction and psychotic male competitiveness and treachery".[11] Frears approached Michael Sheen to play Clough because of his physical resemblance.[12] With Frears as director, it was intended that the film would be shot in the winter of 2007.[12]

In November 2007 Frears pulled out of the project, stating that he could not work out the logistics of the film and that he had "set out in pursuit of something that was leading [him] down a blind alley".[4] Tom Hooper, who had directed Morgan's Longford, replaced him. Hooper researched Clough by reading Duncan Hamilton's Provided You Don't Kiss Me, an award-winning biography of Clough. He also planned to meet Clough's family and some of the players involved with Leeds during Clough's tenure.[8]

Match scenes are expected to be filmed; non-league Garforth Town A.F.C. hosted "auditions" for non-speaking football players on 14 May 2008. Auditionees are expected to "have played at Northern Counties East or Unibond league level or higher".[13] Casting for extras portraying fans took place on 20 and 21 May.[14]

Principal photography is scheduled to run from 25 May to 2 July 2008.[14] Some of the scenes that will feature in the film are set to be shot at Saltergate, home of Chesterfield F.C..[14]

Scenes will also be shot on location in Spain.[1]

[edit] Release

Ealing Studios International originally had the international distribution rights pre-sold to them but Sony Pictures Entertainment made a higher offer to the production companies.[2] Sony will release the film in 2009.[1]

[edit] Reception

Clough's widow, Barbara Clough, who was already an outspoken critic of Peace's book, expressed disappointment that the film was being made. On the implication that it would be similar to the book, she said "It's going to be pretty dire". Producer Andy Harries responded by stating that "[The filmmakers'] goal is to tell a wonderful and extraordinary story with universal themes of success, jealousy and betrayal".[15]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Mitchell, Wendy. "Spall and Broadbent join Sheen in The Damned United", Screen Daily, 2008-05-20. Retrieved on 2008-05-21. 
  2. ^ a b c d e Dawtrey, Adam. "Sony scores 'Damned United'", Variety, 2008-04-24. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  3. ^ Peace's book uses the abbreviation "Utd". All official material for the film uses the complete word.
  4. ^ a b Solomons, Jason. "Trailer Trash: Not Match of the Day", The Observer, 2007-11-11. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  5. ^ Staff writer. "The genius of the life of Brian", The Observer, 2006-12-31. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  6. ^ a b c Bambigoyne, Baz. "Watch out for...", Daily Mail, 2008-02-29. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  7. ^ Solomons, Jason. "Trash Cannes: Ken revs up for Don", The Observer, 2007-05-27. Retrieved on 2008-04-29. 
  8. ^ a b Bambigoyne, Baz. "Forty-four dreadful days in the life of Brian", Daily Mail, 2008-01-18. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  9. ^ Smart, Gordon. "Top boy Stevie gets Billy gig", The Sun, 2008-05-24. Retrieved on 2008-05-24. 
  10. ^ Staff writer. "Leeds United legend wins apology from author", Yorkshire Evening Post, 2008-02-06. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  11. ^ Charity, Tom (2007-05-02). Peter Morgan Interview. Love Film. Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
  12. ^ a b Staff writer. "Queen director Clough film hopes", BBC News Online, 2007-02-16. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 
  13. ^ Robinson, Paul. "Garforth Town to host player auditions for Leeds United film", Garforth Today, 2008-05-08. Retrieved on 2008-05-10. 
  14. ^ a b c Chance to Take Part in a New Film. Chesterfield F.C. website (2008-05-16). Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  15. ^ Alberge, Dalya. "Film is offside, says Brian Clough's widow", The Times, 2007-11-19. Retrieved on 2008-04-24. 

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Works of Peter Morgan
Television
The Jury (2002) · The Deal (2003) · Henry VIII (2003) · Colditz (2005) · Longford (2006)
Film
The Last King of Scotland (2006) · The Queen (2006) · The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) · Frost/Nixon (2008) · The Damned United (2009) · The Special Relationship (announced) · Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (announced)
Theatre