David Love It is possible to make an entertaining and reasonably accurate football docu-drama. Take The Damned United as an example. It needs a lively script, good characterisation and some top actors.The problem with United is that the main characters themselves are not particularly memorable. Bobby Charlton, National Treasure though he is, is a bit boring,. Director James Strong has tried to liven up dour Scot Matt Busby by giving him an air of menace, when in real life he was a much gentler kinder man. Deputy Manager Jimmy Murphy is not so well known and so David Tennant is free to stamp his own character on him and in so doing does give the best performance of the film.The story itself is so well known, any attempt at suspense would fail. A group of players are emerging but cut down in their prime by an air crash. The surviving members must somehow rebuild from what remains.Overall although beautifully photographed, United is just too slow and drawn out to be a classic of its genre.

vchimpanzee The movie starts with two men, apparently hurt, sitting in what may be airplane seats in the middle of nowhere in the snow. It takes a long time for us to realize what is going on, and at first it appears they may be dead.Then we see men playing or practicing soccer. And then a bunch of jerseys hanging up in the locker room.It is 1956. A group of people are watching the news in a movie theater. The great Manchester United soccer team is mentioned, and it is soon obvious that members of the team are there in the theater.Bobby Charlton is a player on Manchester United, but he hasn't done a lot of playing. He complains to his coach Jimmy Murphy, who expects Bobby to work for his position. And he does. Murphy sees potential in him, but it will happen only after a lot of effort.Meanwhile, Murphy's superior Busby is arguing with the league about what his team is capable of doing. In this movie, Busby doesn't appear to be a hands-on coach but someone who works on the business end; I have found out that wasn't true. Still, the league doesn't want Manchester United competing in Europe. Busby thinks they can and is determined to make it happen.Manchester United is turning out to be one of the great teams in the league this season. Bobby is one reason.And then comes that one game they maybe shouldn't have played. There is a deadline for them to return to England. It is snowing in Germany and they might not make it. Twice, the plane tries to take off, and twice, it can't. Then the third attempt is made ...Manchester United is such a great team even I have heard of it.This is a good movie, even if you don't find soccer interesting. It is a movie about a different time, and that in itself means something. The team is like family to the woman who feeds them where they live. But then there is the inspiring story about Bobby trying to become a starting player and ending up as one of the team's best.There are lots of good acting performances, and David Tennant is one of the best as Coach Murphy. Dougray Scott is very good too, but he seems more mean and tough than kind and caring.Jack O'Connell impresses too as Bobby.Right before the tragic event, the music is very ominous. Everything about these scenes about halfway through points to some terrible event we already know is going to happen.And afterward, there as a different but even more inspiring story. It is hard to watch but worthwhile. The news anchor is not kind and comforting but he confronts us with the reality. Will this team make it? Well, I did say Manchester United was so great I had actually heard of it.Yes, it's really a winner.

massive-twat I'm a big Manchester United fan of 23 years old, and am from Manchester too. This may bias my opinion but I truly think this is a magnificent film! I really don't remember the last time I watched a movie as gripping and inspirational as this.From the first minute to the last, I had goosebumps, found myself short of breath (not exaggerating), and I had tears coming to my eyes at many scenes.I've watched the film quite a few times now, and I've never got bored of it. A pretty accurate portrayal of events (to my knowledge - I studied the air disaster while in secondary school), and I would recommend it to all who are looking for a good inspirational, well written/portrayed movie about the events included.*A warning to any big United fan - it can get emotional!

batudingin Great movies does often set itself on great story. even then it might not do the movie justice. But this one do.Motivational movie is something else. But at the end of the day it is a genre. I do hate people that categorizes things like art. But it does happens. Justify the feeling. Being chosen for something. The thrill of something new. Tragedy of a situation that is uncontrollable. Human spirit is a presence that is most likely a compelling presence.I love Man United. For obvious reasons. But this one opens my eyes on the history. Bobby is a legend. But Then, they were not as much known as today. The richest FC in the world for pete's sake..I love the movie. The acting is Humanic. No overacting even in corny moments. I do hope more British movies follows suit and with more publicity.