The Damned United Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "The Damned United" on Blu-ray is delivered in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and encoded using the MPEG-4 AVC codec at 1080p. Sony Pictures has executed an impressive transfer, featuring excellent clarity, high contrast, and a commendable level of detail. The film benefits from solid blacks and sharp image details, notably in darker scenes and during rain-soaked football matches, which lend an authentic atmosphere to the visuals. While the image retains a filmic grain, it occasionally feels digitally inclined, though this does not detract significantly from the overall experience.

Color reproduction is outstanding, with blues, greys, browns, blacks, and whites effectively enhancing the period setting of the 1970s. The meticulous use of these colors achieved by filtering and careful backdrop placement ensures that the film maintains a convincing, era-specific environment. Edge enhancement and macroblocking are virtually non-existent, contributing to a stable and clean visual output. Any digital noise present is minimal and unlikely to distract viewers.

The Blu-ray disc is surprisingly Region Free despite being marketed as Region B, assuring compatibility with most Blu-ray players across various regions. Additionally, no PAL content precedes the main menu, streamlining the viewing process. Overall, this Blu-ray release demonstrates Sony Pictures' commitment to high-quality video presentations, making "The Damned United" visually compelling for both enthusiastic fans of the film and discerning home theater audiences.

The Blu-ray of "The Damned United" boasts two primary audio tracks: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and an English Descriptive Service 5.1, both delivering a robust auditory experience. The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track is particularly noteworthy for its clean and immersive soundscape. Dialogue is crisp, clear, and well-anchored to the front center, creating a strong front sound stage presence. Ambient sounds such as football chants and stadium resonance are convincingly reproduced, enhancing the overall atmosphere without overpowering the audio mix. Low-end support and bass are effectively balanced, adding depth without becoming intrusive.

Highlight footage interspersed throughout the film utilizes cleaned-up original commentary, maintaining an authentic feel while ensuring clarity. The rear channels are employed judiciously to create a sense of space, though they do not overstress your audio setup. High frequencies are executed with precision, avoiding any unnecessary harshness. Viewers may find the need for English subtitles due to the thick accents of some characters, but this does not detract from the primary audio experience.

Special mention must be made of Robert Lane’s score, which artfully complements the film's narrative with quirky tunes and a catchy riff that enhances the overall vibe. The musical elements are well-balanced within the mix, ensuring they support rather than overshadow the dialogue and ambient sounds. There are no detectable audio artifacts such as pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts, which speaks to the high quality of the sound remastering. In summary, the English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track on “The Damned United” provides a clean, ambient-rich audio experience that is both engaging and technically sound.

The Blu-ray of "The Damned United" is an exemplary package, offering a plethora of high-quality extras that enrich the viewing experience. Presented in 1080P High Definition, these features are meticulously crafted and provide deep insights into the film and its historical context. The standout is the audio commentary by Tom Hooper, Michael Sheen, and Andy Harries, which is exceptionally informative, covering both the film's nuances and key historical football events. Complementary subtitles are available, enhancing accessibility. The nine deleted scenes come with insightful commentary from Tom Hooper, adding significant value. Other notable features include "Cloughisms," footage of Michael Sheen's uncanny transformation into Brian Clough, and "Perfect Pitch: The Making of The Damned United," a thorough behind-the-scenes look. Also included are engaging reflections on Clough's legacy and the evolution of football in "Remembering Brian" and "The Changing Game: Football in the Seventies."

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary: Informative commentary by Tom Hooper, Michael Sheen, and Andy Harries.
• Deleted Scenes: Nine scenes with optional commentary by Tom Hooper.
• Cloughisms: Footage of Michael Sheen's interview scenes with optional commentary.
• Perfect Pitch: The Making of The Damned United: Cast and crew discuss the film's adaptation.
• Creating Clough: Michael Sheen takes on 'Old Big 'Ead': Insights from Michael Sheen on portraying Brian Clough.
• Remembering Brian: Reflections on Brian Clough's legacy from various figures.
• The Changing Game: Football in the Seventies: Discussions on football's evolution by former players and experts.
• Trailers: Previews of upcoming films.
• BD-Live functionality: Access to BD-Live content for Profile 2.0 players.

"The Damned United," directed by Tom Hooper, chronicles the tumultuous 44-day tenure of Brian Clough at Leeds United Football Club in 1974. Based on David Peace's novel and scripted by Peter Morgan, the film is a superb blend of historical authenticity and engaging storytelling. Michael Sheen delivers a remarkable performance as Clough, fully embodying the complex personality of the legendary manager. From his iconic mannerisms to his ambitious drive, Sheen's portrayal is nothing short of compelling. Colm Meaney also offers a formidable performance as Don Revie, bringing depth to their heated rivalry.

The film opens with Clough’s appointment as the Leeds United manager following his successful stint at Derby County. The narrative fluidly alternates between Clough’s glory days with Derby and his ill-fated time at Leeds. The loyalty of Leeds players to Revie and Clough’s confrontational approach quickly spiral into conflict, leading to a string of losses and Clough's subsequent dismissal. This public failure propels Clough to reunite with Peter Taylor, played brilliantly by Timothy Spall, leading to their remarkable achievements with Nottingham Forest.

"The Damned United" is not merely a football film; it delves deeply into Clough's inner turmoil and complex relationships. The movie offers an intimate look at his partnership with Taylor, highlighting both their triumphs and their struggles. Hooper's direction vividly captures the chaotic and emotionally charged landscape of 1970s English football. The supplemental features on the Blu-ray edition, such as the director’s commentary and making-of documentaries, provide additional insights, enhancing the viewing experience for both football fans and cinema enthusiasts alike.

"The Damned United" on Blu-ray delivers an engaging portrayal of the tumultuous 44 days Brian Clough spent as Leeds United's manager, ably capturing the complexity of this enigmatic figure. The film steers clear of being a conventional biopic, concentrating instead on Clough's professional highs and lows. With Michael Sheen’s utterly transformative performance, viewers are treated to a near-authentic representation of Clough, whose compelling character dynamically weaves through both triumph and turmoil. Sheen’s impeccable performance captures Clough's charisma, wit, and inherent contradictions.

Technically, the Blu-ray offers solid video quality that authentically evokes the 1970s era, ensuring that the aesthetics align well with the narrative. The audio complements the visual experience effectively, creating a balanced presentation. This edition from Sony Pictures is accompanied by a rich array of supplementary features, enhancing both the film’s context and the viewer’s enjoyment. These extras are compatible with North American Blu-ray players and PlayStation 3s, ensuring broad accessibility.

The film might centre around the 44 days of mayhem Brian Clough brought to Elland Road but it is so much more than that. True it's not the definitive story about him but then it never sets out to be a biopic.This guy took Derby County from out of nowhere to the very top of the league in a very short space of time. Aside from his failure with Leeds he then went on to confound his critics by achieving wonders with Nottingham Forest. There was a certain amount of magic surrounding Clough and the film does its best in trying to get across the tormented genius within him.In short there are basically two things that set this film apart. One is that it is about Brian Clough 'the finest manager that the England football team never had' and secondly it has Michael Sheen playing him. Michael Sheen has totally transformed himself into the character so much so that you will believe that it is Clough himself; absolutely outstanding.Brian Clough was an outspoken and opinionated man. He was difficult to argue against, wasn't shy in stepping forward and his arrogance clearly stemmed from his success. Beyond that he was an immensely complex character and his interaction with others in the football fraternity more often than not bordered on chaos. Thankfully and quite wisely the film does not dwell on any of this and sticks with his more entertaining side.If truth be told then this film is probably better suited to the small screen rather than as a cinematic presentation. The blu-ray disc has some solid video aspects to it nonetheless. The whole thing appears authentically put together and feels like it has come straight out of the seventies. The audio is also a worthy accompaniment to the video, so either way you get a very balanced blu-ray disc here coupled with a very good extras package.In hindsight Brian Clough was actually ahead of his time, his approach to the game and interaction with the media changed the face of football. I'll go one step further in saying that not making him England manager was a missed opportunity. The England Football Team would probably have been far more successful under him than it has been since. I'm sure that thought will have a few of you pondering and raise a few debates about what might have been...In the meantime there is little to ponder about here. The Damned United is an excellent film and is probably one of the best football films for a long time. Fans of the game will love it but it's also a movie that will engage with anyone who cares to watch it. It's definitely a film worth watching and one to add to your collection.

In conclusion, "The Damned United" on Blu-ray is an excellent showcase for both the remarkable story of Brian Clough and Sheen’s masterful performance. It’s a well-rounded package that balances historical storytelling with technical proficiency, ensuring a rewarding viewing experience for football enthusiasts and general audiences alike. This title comes highly recommended for those looking to explore one of football's most captivating narratives.