Two flms relating to football are forthcoming and look a little better than some of the previous ones (as Peter Bradshaw put it, 'an under-reported development in cinema is how football is now being excitingly filmed'). Firstly, the Damned United about Brian Clough's time in charge at Leeds (44 days) in 1974 and his ongoing rivalry with Don Revie. As a bonus it stars the excellent Michael Sheen. The dark and controversial novel by David Peace is made much lighter according to the reviews though there seems to be some agreement that the film still stands on its own merits. If you want a glimpse of 70s local tv (Yorkshire) sports interviewing, try this fantastic debate between Clough and Revie (the man Clough succeeded, hugely influential at Leeds and then England manager) the very same night, Scott Murray reports, after Clough was sacked. It is a fantastic historical piece. (Some people have said it wait for several minutes for this work, load in (or whatever the right terminology is) but it seems to work ok for me.)
The other big football related film event concerns my great hero, Eric Cantona. Cantona was, as you all know, the greatest player of the 1990s and massively influential in turning Man United (presently Champions of England, Champions of Europe, Champions of the World) into a major force. And the film is directed by Ken Loach! This is not so much a football film but more about a postman in Manchester who is a bit down and gets life guidance from visions of King Eric. The fantastic line of this title is in the trailer here.