Title: The Class of ’92
Release date: December 2013
Director: Ben Turner and Gabe Turner
Plot: The Class of ’92 is far more than an excellent football film. It tells the story of six player’s incredible journey from humbling beginnings as youth team players at Manchester United to the point of achieving unparalleled success with the biggest club in the world.
David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes - the subjects of the film and ‘The Class of ’92 – feature throughout as well as appearances from some of the most iconic names in the sport including Zinedine Zidane and Eric Cantona.
The 98 minute documentary covers the period between their FA Youth Cup triumph in 1992 up until the club’s Champions League victory in 1999, which, of course, completed the remarkable Treble under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The film, however, explores far more than football but also the cultural and social changes Manchester, and Britain as a whole, were experiencing at the time.
Regardless of who you support, this is a thoroughly enjoyable watch and an insight into the success of some of the best footballers ever to grace the Premier League.
You can watch the full documentary below…
As a Leeds supporter and a massive fan of the book, I have to say this film is a huge letdown. There are some brilliant aspects to it; the performances of Michael Sheen as Clough, Timothy Spall as Taylor, and Jim Broadbent as Sam Longson are brilliant.
However, the idea that the rivalry between Clough and Revie is down to Revie snubbing him at Elland Road is laughable and takes away from the drama of what really happened and indeed the well fleshed out, fictionalized account in David Peace’s novel. A far more interesting film could have been made from focusing on the darker aspects of Clough’s character, and David Peace himself has suggested in could be remade in a style more akin to the Richard Harris film “This Sporting Life”
Really enjoyed the film Michael sheen was majestic !!!! Being a forest fan loved Clough !!!
Really great film, but having read the book it feels like there was a bit of an effort to not upset the Clough family in the same way the book did, which is arguably the best part of the novel seeing the darker sides of Clough’s personality and really ramping up the turmoil that he went through in that time period
I’m a Huddersfield town supporter but I think the book was one of the best sports books I’ve ever read. Brilliantly written.
I really enjoyed the film and the makers deliberately moved away from many aspects of the book. I disliked the book as did the Clough Family and indeed our own J. Giles who sued the author, Peace, successfully.
As a Liverpool supporter, Clough was the biggest thorn in our side. He was, and still is, the greatest manager ever in England. Yes, even above Paisley !
His achievements will never be matched. Taking unfashionable teams to heights they could never have imagined. Derby, winning the old Second and then First Division titles. They were very close getting to the final of the European Cup !
Then Notts Forest ! Who did it all !
Where are these teams now !
All with Peter Taylor, the other genius, at his side.
My favourite sports book, “Provided You Don’t Kiss Me: 20 Years With Brian Clough”, by Duncan Hamilton charts it all !
Cloughie you are missed !
That’s a class book alright … I’d say Duncan had some craic writing it !!!