United is based on the true story of Manchester United's legendary "Busby Babes", the youngest side ever to win the Football League and the 1958 Munich Air Crash that claimed eight of the their number. The film draws on first-hand interviews with the survivors and their families to tell the inspirational story of a team and community overcoming terrible tragedy.
Acting
Tennant's haunted Jimmy Murphy anchors every scene
Direction
Strong makes the crash inevitable, not exploitative
Production
Painstaking period recreation of 1950s Old Trafford
Director
James Strong
Dean Andrews
Bert Whalley
Kate Ashfield
Alma George
Natalie Burt
Marion Bent
David Calder
Harold Hardman
Sam Claflin
Duncan Edwards
Werner Daehn
Professor Maurer
Shirley Dixon
Mrs Watson
Neil Dudgeon
Alan Hardaker
Bill Fellows
Robert Charlton
Peter Gunn
PC Gunstone
Tim Healy
Tommy Skinner
Daniel Hill
British Consul
Melanie Hill
Cissie Charlton
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Jack O'Connell had zero football experience and trained for months; Bobby Charlton himself approved the casting after watching tape.
The 'Flowers of Manchester' still sung at United matches references the eight players who died—this film finally gave their families authorized voice in the narrative.
GB
