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.
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.