CULVER CITY, CALIF. (December 21, 2009) – From two-time Academy Award®-nominated writer Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) and Director Tom Hooper (TV’s “John Adams”) comes the critically-acclaimed drama The Damned United, debuting on Blu-ray and DVD February 23 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The Sony Pictures Classics film tells the bittersweet story of Brian Clough and his disastrous 44-day tenure as manager of reigning football champions Leeds United and stars Michael Sheen (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) as the legendary, opinionated football manager with Timothy Spall (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Sweeney Todd) as his right hand man and only friend, Peter Taylor. Colm Meaney (Layer Cake, Intermission, The Commitments) plays Clough’s nemesis Don Revie with Oscar® winner Jim Broadbent (Best Supporting Actor, Iris, 2001) as Derby Chairman Sam Longson. Based on the book by David Peace, Sony Pictures Classics’ The Damned United will be available on Blu-ray for $34.95 SRP and DVD for $28.96 SRP.
SYNOPSIS:
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 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.
The Damned United is directed by Tom Hooper and adapted for the screen by Peter Morgan from the best-selling book The Damned Utd by David Peace. The film was produced by Andy Harries, with Christine Langan, Hugo Heppell and Peter Morgan serving as executive producers.
Blu-ray and DVD Special Features Include:
-Commentary with Director Tom Hooper, Actor Michael Sheen and Producer Andy Harries.
-Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary with Director Tom Hooper.
-“Cloughisms” features footage shot with Michael Sheen to create some of the Brian Clough television interviews that appear throughout the film. Director Tom Hooper also provides optional commentary!
-“Creating Clough: Michael Sheen Takes on Old Big ‘Ead’” includes an on-set interview with Sheen on how he prepared for the role – both psychologically and physically.
-“Perfect Pitch: The Making Of The Damned United” explores the challenge of bringing such a notorious figure as Clough to the screen, how filmmakers decided to tackle the most controversial aspects of the story, the casting of the main actors, and the look of The Damned United.
-“Remembering Brian” includes interviews with those who knew (and loved) the real Brian Clough.
-“The Changing Game: Football in the Seventies” looks at how incredibly different football was in the ‘70s by interviewing former football players and fans.
