“The Damned United”, 2009
Director: Tom Hooper
This film is a dramatic portrayal of Brian Clough’s 44-day reign as the coach of Leeds United in 1974, focusing less on the game and more on Clough’s complex personality and tumultuous relationships with players and other coaches.
Starring: Michael Sheen, Colm Meaney, Timothy Spall, Henry Goodman, Jim Broadbent, Peter McDonald, Stephen Graham, Jimmy Reddington, Oliver Stokes, Ryan Day;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, biography, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Damned United” on the website imdb.com
“Bend It Like Beckham”, 2002
Director: Gurinder Chadha
A comedic drama about a young Sikh girl, Jess, in England who dreams of playing football professionally, much to the dismay of her traditional family. It explores themes of cultural conflict and gender expectations, all within the context of England's favorite sport.
Starring: Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Archie Panjabi, Shaznay Lewis, Frank Harper, Juliet Stevenson, Shaheen Khan, Ameet Chana;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, sport;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
“Mike Bassett: England Manager”, 2001
Director: Steve Barron
A comedy that satirizes the ups and downs of managing the England national football team. Mike Bassett is an old-school English manager who finds himself in charge of the national team and leads them through the ups and downs of international football.
Starring: Kevin Piper, Ricky Tomlinson, Malcolm Terris, Philip Dunbar, Lloyd McGuire, Sydney Livingstone, Ian Lindsay, Tony Nyland, Geoffrey Hutchings, Danny Tennant;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: comedy, sport;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 89 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Mike Bassett: England Manager” on the website imdb.com
“Fever Pitch”, 2005
Director: Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly
Based on Nick Hornby’s bestselling memoir, this romantic comedy explores the obsessions, joys, and despair of a die-hard Arsenal fan and how his love for football affects his romantic relationships, particularly with his girlfriend who struggles to understand his passion for the game.
Starring: Drew Barrymore, Jimmy Fallon, Jason Spevack, Jack Kehler, Scott Severance, Jessamy Finet, Maureen Keiller, Lenny Clarke, Ione Skye, KaDee Strickland;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, sport;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Fever Pitch” on the website imdb.com
“Looking for Eric”, 2009
Director: Ken Loach
A blend of comedy and drama, this film tells the story of Eric, a depressed postman and football fan, who starts seeing visions of his hero, the legendary Manchester United player Eric Cantona. Through these visions, Cantona offers life advice that helps him face his troubles.
Starring: Steve Evets, Eric Cantona, Stephanie Bishop, Gerard Kearns, Stefan Gumbs, Lucy-Jo Hudson, Cole Williams, Dylan Williams, Matthew McNulty, Laura Ainsworth;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: fantasy, drama, comedy, sport;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “Looking for Eric” on the website imdb.com
“The English Game”, 2020
Director: Tim Fywell, Birgitte Stærmose
Though technically a mini-series on Netflix rather than a film, this historical drama created by Julian Fellowes explores the origins of modern football in England, focusing on the class divide between the wealthy creators of the game and the working-class players who revolutionized it.
Starring: Edward Holcroft, Kevin Guthrie, Charlotte Hope, Niamh Walsh, Craig Parkinson, James Harkness, Ben Batt, Gerard Kearns, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Kerrie Hayes;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: drama, history, sport;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “The English Game” on the website imdb.com
Each of these films offers a unique perspective on the role football plays in England's culture and society, capturing the highs and lows of the game and those who live it.
In sum, films about England football serve far more than mere recreations of historical matches; they are a vibrant tapestry that combines the nation's profound love for the beautiful game with its complex social and cultural narratives. From the grit and determination shown in “Bend It Like Beckham” to the poignant exploration of fan identity in “The Damned United,” these films encapsulate the undying spirit of English football and its ability to inspire, unite, and sometimes divide. They reflect not just the highs and lows experienced on the pitch but also the broader societal changes and challenges faced off it. As such, these cinematic explorations offer audiences around the world a rich, emotionally engaging window into the heart of England's national sport, its impact on the people who cherish it, and the dreams it has the power to both shatter and fulfill.
