cinéSARNIA presents - Jan 10 & 11, 2010

The Damned United

Based on a novel by , The Damned United is an affectionate, tongue-in-cheek homage to English football in the 1970s. Reuniting the stellar partnership of screenwriter and star ( Frost/Nixon , The Queen ), the film is a welcome alternative to the standard inspirational sports biopic and can most definitely be enjoyed without knowledge of the ins and outs of English football.

Set in 1974, The Damned United follows former England player (Michael Sheen) – now revered as one of the greatest English football managers – and his brief 44-day tenure as coach of the Leeds United football club. Prior to this posting, he successfully presided over Derby, lifting the club to new heights with the aid of his indispensable right-hand man, Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall, Pierrepoint: The Last Hangman ), and the belief that the beautiful game "must be played beautifully." Clough takes over Leeds from his rival ( Intermission ), who was managing a squad that played more brutally than beautifully, and soon creates plenty of friction both on and off the pitch with his abrasive style.

Using a flashback structure, The Damned United ’s careful attention to period detail and clever use of archival footage offers a compelling snapshot of another era. And Michael Sheen, much like his previous transformations in The Queen and Frost/Nixon , superbly channels the arrogance of a manager who took on the football establishment to shape a winning team.

Sharp, funny and thoroughly entertaining, The Damned United presents a compelling and passionate look at the near-religious fervour inspired by the beautiful game.

CRITICAL NOTES "Offering just enough football to satisfy the fans in the stands, The Damned United is also a pleasingly high-quality British drama with some terrific performances." – Fionnuala Halligan, Screen International

"A finely constructed and fiercely entertaining soccer movie that deals more in pride and obsession than penalty kicks." – Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

"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." – Tom Long, Detroit News

Director: Cast: Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney, Year: 2009 Runtime: 97 minutes Country: UK Language: English Distributor: Mongrel Media Ratings: ON NR