THE DAMNED UNITED - 70's FOOTBALL LEGENDS CAST

From: Sophie Glover

Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:02:07 +0100
To: Sophie Glover
Cc: Ginger Corbett
Subject: THE DAMNED UNITED - 70's FOOTBALL LEGENDS CAST

*EMBARGOED UNTIL SATURDAY 21st JUNE 2008*
1970’s FOOTBALL LEGENDS CAST IN ‘THE DAMNED UNITED

Michael Sheen stars as Brian Clough in THE DAMNED UNITED Photographer: Laurie Sparham
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Leeds: 20.06.2008.
Stephen Graham and Peter McDonald head up the actors playing 1970’s football legends in THE DAMNED UNITED. Stephen Graham (This is England, Snatch) will play Leeds Captain Billy Bremner while Peter McDonald (Sea of Souls, When Brendan met Trudy) has been cast as his midfield partner Johnny Giles, Mark Cameron (Coronation Street) plays central defender Norman ‘Bites Yer Legs’ Hunter. Martin Compston (Sweet Sixteen) as John O’Hare and Colin Harris as John McGovern are the two players who followed Clough from Derby County to Leeds United, Joe Dempsie (Skins) is cast as Duncan Mackenzie, rounding out the Leeds United players. For Derby County Giles Alderson (I Want Candy) plays Colin Todd, Brian McCardie (Rob Roy) plays Dave Mackay, Stewart Robertson plays Archie Gemmill and Laurie Rea plays Terry Hennessey.

Adapted for the screen by Peter Morgan (The Queen, The Last King of Scotland, Frost/Nixon) from the best-selling and critically acclaimed novel by David Peace. THE DAMNED UNITED stars Michael Sheen (The Deal, The Queen, Frost/Nixon) as the legendary, opinionated football manager Brian Clough with Timothy Spall (Secrets and Lies, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Sweeney Todd) as his right hand man, only friend, and crutch Peter Taylor. Colm Meaney (Layer Cake, Intermission, The Commitments) plays Clough’s nemesis Don Revie. Jim Broadbent

(Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Longford, Iris) plays Sam Longson, Derby Chairman. The film is directed by Tom Hooper (John Adams, Longford, Elizabeth I).

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 had an 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 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.

Rounding out the casting, Liz Carling (Casualty) plays Barbara Clough, Brian’s wife. Henry Goodman (Fiddler on the Roof) plays Manny Cussins, the Leeds Chairman of the time and Maurice Roeves (The Last of the Mohicans) plays Jimmy Gordon, Brian Clough’s stalwart trainer.

THE DAMNED UNITED will shoot on locations throughout Yorkshire, Leeds, Derbyshire and Spain. Ben Smithard (Cranford) is the director of photography, costumes are by Mike O’Neill (Elizabeth I), Jan Archibald (La Vie En Rose) is hair and make-up designer, Eve Stewart (Topsy-Turvy) is production designer. The film is produced by Andy Harries and Grainne Marmion. Christine Langan and Peter Morgan are Executive Producers. A Left Bank Pictures Production, the film is financed by BBC Films, Columbia Pictures and Screen Yorkshire. Sony Pictures Entertainment has worldwide rights and will release the film in 2009.

…ends…

For further information please contact:

Rob Deacon: mrandmrsdeacon@hotmail.com
Mobile: 07930 334126

Sophie Glover
Premier PR
91 Berwick Street, London W1T 0NE