: Mon Mar 30, 2009 10:19 am  

Cibaman wrote:

Enjoyable in a spoof movie sort of way but disappointing when compared to the book. They completely removed the dark side of Clough's character to the extent that it was difficult to see how he could ever have been a successful manager anywhere never mind just at Leeds. And they went way OTT recruiting the most unathletic pot bellied actors they could find to play the players.

The movie toned down the negative portrayal of Clough because of pressure from the Clough family, I heard.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:31 am  

i enjoyed the film, i think it showed clough as a brash arrogant man on camera but almost insecure off it and very much in need of peter taylor to "mother him". loved the bit in the first training session when he says "no 50 50's" to which hunter goes straight through him as soon as he touches the ball (gammy knee and all)

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:45 am  

G1 wrote:

The movie toned down the negative portrayal of Clough because of pressure from the Clough family, I heard.

It toned it down because Peace's original book was a barely disguised hatchet job more like...

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 11:47 am  

G1 wrote:

The movie toned down the negative portrayal of Clough because of pressure from the Clough family, I heard.

And basically got rid of Giles' role, after he successfully sued them for libel.

As he himself said in the documentary last week, if Clough, Revie and Bremner had been alive, the book and the film would have never seen the light of day.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:06 pm  

G1 wrote:

The movie toned down the negative portrayal of Clough because of pressure from the Clough family, I heard.

Aye. Toned down to the point that, whilst Sheen perfectly captured his mannerisms, failed to portray his personality. And in doing so they made him appear a complete wimp.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:30 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

It toned it down because Peace's original book was a barely disguised hatchet job more like...

was interesting to see the documentary last week - Giles was very supportive of clough and very critical of the book's portrayal of clough and other people and that certain people (clough and revie) would have had every right to sue had they still been alive.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:33 pm  

flipper wrote:

was interesting to see the documentary last week - Giles was very supportive of clough and very critical of the book's portrayal of clough and other people and that certain people (clough and revie) would have had every right to sue had they still been alive.

Peace takes a very black and white view of characters - they are either good or evil. That's fine when you're writing complete fiction like the Red Riding trilogy, but when you're basing it on real people and events you need to work differently IMO.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 12:54 pm  

Interesting article and interview with Norman Hunter here. Haven't seen it myself yet (or indeed read the book) but intend to do both. When i do so I will understand I am viewing/reading a work of drama based upon actual events, not a reference piece.

Interesting article and interview with Norman Hunter here. Haven't seen it myself yet (or indeed read the book) but intend to do both. When i do so I will understand I am viewing/reading a work of drama based upon actual events, not a reference piece.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 1:17 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

Peace takes a very black and white view of characters - they are either good or evil. That's fine when you're writing complete fiction like the Red Riding trilogy, but when you're basing it on real people and events you need to work differently IMO.

Not sure that RR & TDU are that different TBH. There's plenty of real events in red riding, plus a number of characters that are easily identifiable despite having fictional names. In both cases, Peace fills the gaps between events that are in the public domain with fictional material.

I've some sympathy with Clough's family, but OTOH I've never heard them complain too loudly whenever the press print over-sentimental guff and completely ignore some pretty serious character flaws.

: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:15 pm  

i never enjoyed the book. i felt it was rubbish to be honest. hopefully will see the film next weekend though