7.4 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
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. From the best-selling and critically acclaimed novel by David Peace.
Starring: Michael Sheen, Colm Meaney, Henry Goodman (I), Ralph Ineson, Joe DempsieDrama | 100% |
Sport | 57% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
An optional English Audio Descriptive Dolby Digital 5.1 track is also available (48kHz/640kbps).
English, English SDH, Hindi
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
BD-Live
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Tom Hooper's "The Damned United" (2009) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Sony Pictures. Amongst the supplemental features on the disc are a commentary with director Tom Hooper, actor Michael Sheen and producer Andy Harries, "Perfect Pitch: The Making of The Damned United", "Creating Clough: Michael Sheen takes on ‘Old Big ‘Ead", deleted scenes and more. All of these supplemental features are perfectly playable on North American Blu-ray players and PS3s. Region-Free.
I want Leeds United!
Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Tom Hooper's The Damned United arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Sony Pictures.
This is a very strong transfer from Sony Pictures. Contrast is excellent, clarity very good and detail fantastic. The color-scheme is also very convincing. Blues, grays, browns, blacks and whites are terrific looking. I particularly liked how a lot of these colors were used to enhance the period atmosphere. Neither edge-enhancement nor macroblocking are a serious issue of concern with this Blu-ray release. If anything, I spotted a bit of digital noise but I doubt you would be annoyed by it. There are no stability issues to report either. When blown through a digital projector, The Damned United looks very impressive. Finally, I did not detect any disturbing scratches, flecks, debris, or stains to report in this review. (Note: Even though this disc is marketed as Region-B, it is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no PAL content preceding the main menu).
This Blu-ray disc contains two audio tracks: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and English Descriptive Service 5.1. For the record, Sony Pictures have also provided optional English, English SDH, and Hindu subtitles for the main feature.
The English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track is convincing, through it would most certainly not test the muscles of your audio equipment. The bass is strong but not too prominent, the rear channels are intelligently used, and the high frequencies are not overdone. There are no problematic audio distortions to report in this review. The dialog is crisp and clear, though I did have to turn on the English subtitles as the accents some of the main characters have are quite thick.
Robert Lane's score is not overly impressive, but it certainly is an integral part of The Damned United. There are no balance issues to report with it. I did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, hissings, or dropouts either. To sum it all up, the English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track is bug-free and very convincing.
Commentary – director Tom Hooper, actor Michael Sheen and producer Andy Harries deliver an incredibly informative commentary that addresses not only The Damned United but also a number of important events from the history of British football. The comments the three gentlemen offer on the famous interview at the very end of the film where Brian Clough and Don Revie attack each other in front of the camera are excellent. With optional English subtitles.
Deleted Scenes – nine deleted scenes with optional commentary by director Tom Hooper: "Leeds 1974, Whose Desk is this, Love", "Leeds 1974, Is Everything Alright, Brian!", "Leeds 1972, That was as Perfect a Half of Terrible Football as I have ever seen!", "Leeds 1974, Never Got It", "Leeds 1974, I am not fucking English", "Leeds 1974, Fucking Scot", "Leeds 1974, Never come between a footballer and his motor", "Leeds 1974, Keep Fighting, Version 1", and "Leeds 1974, Keep Fighting, Version 2." (1080p).
Cloughisms - this footage was shot with Michael Sheen to create some of the television interviews that appear throughout The Damned United. With optional commentary by director Tom Hooper. (1080p).
Perfect Pitch: The Making of The Damned United - this is standard efaturette where the creators of the film talk about how David Peace's book was adapted, some of the technical difficulties they had to overcome, etc. (17 min, 1080p).
Creating Clough: Michael Sheen takes on 'Old Big 'Ead' - actor Michael Sheen reflects on what it took to become Brian Clough. He also talks about his personal impressions of the famous manager.(11 min. 1080p).
Remembering Brian - football coach and choreographer Simon Clifford. actor Michael Sheen, Former Derby County, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest player John McGovern, former Leeds United player Eddie Gray, and former broadcast journalist Austin Mitchell talk about Brian Clough's legacy. (10 min, 1080p).
The Changing Game: Football in the Seventies - former Leeds United player Eddie Gray, former Leeds United and Manchester United player Gordon McQueen, and former broadcast journalist Austin Mitchell, and David Silver, a Leeds United ticket holder for 40 years, and Dr. Jon Dart, Senior Lecturer, Leeds Trinity & All Saints talk about how the beautiful games has changed during the years. They also talk about how Brian Clough changed British football. (20 min, 1080p).
Trailers - trailer for The International, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Angels & Demons, Terminator: Salvation, and Year One.
BD-Live functionality -
A terrific film! Michael Sheen is incredibly convincing as the legendary football manager Brian Clough. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of Sony Pictures, is of very good quality. It is also packed with excellent supplemental features that are perfectly playable on North American Blu-ray players and PS3s. Don't miss The Damned United. Very Highly Recommended.
Multi-Pack
2009
2011
2004
Director's Cut
1999
Masters of Cinema
1969
2016
2009
Special Collector's Edition
1989
2008
1992
2008
2010
2004
2013
Premium Collection
1966
1997
The Colour of Money
1986
30th Anniversary Edition
1981
Triple Play
2010
2013