United - Die Legende der Busby Babes

A sombre drama unlikely to see service as an in-flight movie for any airline carrying fans to Quatar to see the current World Cup. Containing remarkably little footage of football itself, it instead concentrates on the office politics that culminated in Busby's Babes taking that ill-fated flight in 1958. As manager Jimmy Murphy David Tennant's eyes are ablaze with both the fire of fanatical passion for the game and wide with grief in the aftermath of the Munich air crash. An interesting use of colour is the use of the bright red of the Man United strip against the otherwise drab depiction of fifties Britain.

I've only just finished watching this film based on the Munich air disaster and how Manchester United cope's with the loss of their players and friends. Now I've never written one of these reviews before and with all honestly it'll probably be my last, but I thought the BBC did such a good job with the entirety of this film that it deserves someone whether they read it or not to give some feedback. I'm not a Manchester United fan but I do love football - not soccer - Football! And I am a fan of well written and directed films and this has an abundance of both. I'm not going to write of the details of the film basically because you should all know your history and I don't want to spoil a perfectly good film. All I can say is David Tennant once again like every performance he gives is outstanding, alongside with Dougray Scott and a young Jack O'Connell whom plays Sir Bobby Charlton (clearly before he receives his knighthood). You don't need to like Football to enjoy this film, you just need to enjoy good films...

United is a docu-drama about the infamous 1958 Munich air disaster which claimed the lives of many of the Busby Babes and how the Manchester United team marched on from that dark day and rebuilt.

The focus is less on Matt Busby played by Dougray Scott in a stoic manner because he is sidelined after the crash as Busby was seriously injured and hospitalised for some time.

The focus is on David Tennant as Jimmy Murphy who has to cope with the aftermath, get a side together some from the lower leagues and get them to play. There is also the issue of some of the survivors being emotionally damaged from the incident such as Bobby Charlton who feels unable to play. Then there are the injuries to Duncan Edwards widely regarded as one of the best young players of his generation who survived the crash but later died.

As someone who knew little but the basics of this disaster I found the film informative and emotional. I would acknowledge the film had to condense the story which means some of the characters are sidelined or ignored but it is an affirming story of overcoming the odds that should get even non soccer fans involved.

Being a United supporter for most of my attentive soccer existence, I've always known about Munich. Watching this portrayal however cast new light and depth into the club's history, characters, and world opinion. I was touched to learn about the other clubs that sent on players and staff to help rebuild the club, especially Liverpool! The casting was incredibly accurate, as were their respective performances: shy boyish Charlton, charismatic Edwards, gaunt gritty yet deep Jimmy, and stalwart Busby. Busby's speaking pace, accent, and intonation, combined with his facial expressions and walk were incredible.

This movie was inspirational, emotional, and surprising. It's well worth viewing. The film makes you want to scour the internet for more information on Munich and affirms Manchester United's validity as one of the top clubs of all time, especially in this age of rich owner club buyouts. Anyone can buy a team and trophies, but only the greatest teams will be respected for creating a legacy. This film highlights that turning point for Man United.

Thanks for this film.

I was once in a play about Hillsborough and that started my interest in foot ball a bit morbid i know but you have to start somewhere.I new nothing of the details about the 1958 air disaster in Munich and i feel after see this nostalgic drama i should. While watching United there was a wonderful reminiscence rather than a desperate pot boiler the plot and performances led you by the hand and cared for you throughout the hour and a half. The only thing i could relate this to would be Dead Poets Society or Remember The Titans. I did feel that David Tennant was far better than anything i have seen him in before and Dougary Scot should not only have played wolverine but is the only choice for a Sean Connery the life of film.