March 51 - The 1-5 game was played on a Monday afternoon. It was postponed from the original date due to United's involvement in the FA Cup. FL rules stated that such postponements had to be played within 14 days. The FA & FL were involved in a power struggle back then. Because of the scheduling, the attendance was only just over 16,000. I wasn't allowed to bunk off school so I missed it too!
I thought it was a great piece of historical drama and thoroughly well acted, I would have liked the end credits to show photos of "all" those who died with a short description of who they were though, would have added an extra touch to an already good bit of tv
The programme is being absolutely panned by the families of the players and also Sir Matt Busby's son, moaning about glaring inaccuracies and some players not being mentioned. He states that he was 'disgusted' with the programme, which is a bit harsh. Sir Matt's son is unhappy that his father is portrayed as man who wore a camel coat and a fedora, but it seems in reality he usually wore a tracksuit. Shame about this, as I thought the programme what pretty decent. The writers have always maintained that it was a drama based on Jimmy Murphy and Bobby Charlton and not a factual documentary.
[cite]Posted By: PaulCAFC[/cite]The programme is being absolutely panned by the families of the players and also Sir Matt Busby's son, moaning about glaring inaccuracies and some players not being mentioned. He states that he was 'disgusted' with the programme, which is a bit harsh. Sir Matt's son is unhappy that his father is portrayed as man who wore a camel coat and a fedora, but it seems in reality he usually wore a tracksuit. Shame about this, as I thought the programme what pretty decent. The writers have always maintained that it was a drama based on Jimmy Murphy and Bobby Charlton and not a factual documentary.
That's interesting, because I really felt that the Busby character was the one I warmed to least. Apart for the strange accent that sounded like an American impersonating a Scotsman (I don't know if this is the case), he did have the look of a gangster about him and could easily have been the villain in a crime drama. I know nothing about Busby as a man, but I think if he was my Dad, I'd have liked him portrayed a little more sympathetically.
I agree with cfgs. There were lots of people in that plane crash, but they necessarily only have a few lead characters in the film. I bet if you asked people before seeing it to name one fatality they'd say Duncan Edwards and if asked to name one survivor they'd say Bobby Charlton. And that's who they chose to focus on. They can't possibly tell the personal stories of everyone on the plane, so putting a valedictory in the credits is a good way of bringing home the scope of the tragedy as well as being a very poignant way to finish.
I think that with all football based 'docu/dramas' there will always be cristism from the families, as in The Damned United, Hillsborough and the drama about George Best. Making interesting viewing and providing factual accounts tend to be poles apart in most of these programmes. Someone will always be upset by them, whether its as a result of the truth or untruths!
[cite]Posted By: nolly[/cite]enjoyed it sadly a few silly bits like the player smoking a pipe when teams in tunnel .
Probably not too far from the truth - I remember seeing Allan Hunter of Ipswich smoking a cigarette on the pitch just after the final whistle after they beat Arsenal in the FA Cup Final in 1978!
Really enjoyed it, and am busy running off copies for friends out here.
On reflection the Matt Busby character was surprisingly dark, and the way they they dressed him was pure Malcolm Allison, which wouldnt go down well.
Would have like to know more about the scratch team that went on to do so well.
Len, I presumed our striker who was 'faster than you think' would be Stuart Leary, but as for the mouthy centre half, that's a tricky one. From Henry's line up it seems John Hewie was centre half that day, but he had the reputation of being a gent. Surprised Derek Ufton wasnt in the team, wonder what he thought of the film.
[cite]Posted By: AshTray[/cite]I think they only won one game!
Well I meant the team that played for the rest of the season. They got to the Final for a start. How did they do in the league?
It seems miraculous they managed to win any game under the circumstances
I was born the year after the crash. As a kid growing up I remember the brilliant United team that won the European Cup in 1968. Considerable fuss was made of Sir Matt and Bobby Charlton at the time.
There is a documentary coming up this week on the life of Sir Bobby. He was a remarkable player who won everything in the game. I believe though that he saw Duncan Edwards as a footballing hero, so how good he must have been.
It is hard to believe that in 1958 the average age of the Busby Babes was 22 years - that is remarkable. How great would that team have been if it hadn't been for the disaster?
As for the programme/film it doesn't surprise me that some people associated with those involved in the crash are unhappy. It is pretty nigh impossible to make a drama watchable and cover every angle and include every character.
If I was from one of families involved I think I would have found it a fitting tribute to their memory. The point of the film for me was that despite the tragedy, the club endured and become one of, if not the biggest clubs in world football and that is a fitting tribute to their memory - even if I, like many of us, are somewhat grudging in our appreciation of Man Utd and their achievements.
It is interesting to me that the team that Sir Alex has been in charge of now for 20 years has been built upon the ethos of the club through its troubled history being greater than the players. That has created a winning mentality which carries all before it.
When our club was down and out, rescued with 5 minutes to spare, and moved away to Sellout and Upton Parks followed by the triumphant fight to return home, I thought that adversity had created a win at all cost mentality. Under Curbs I'm sure it did, at least in relative terms. Since then that has all been pissed away. I do though take heart because after Sir Matt retired, Man Utd had some years in the relative wilderness, including a relegation. It was the emergence of Fergie and some latitude from the Board that allowed him to re-build, which has re-kindled the Busby spirit.
One thing that never gets discussed is that United team would have been at their peak at the same time as the Spurs double team, what a match up that would have been.
Comments
Probably not too far from the truth - I remember seeing Allan Hunter of Ipswich smoking a cigarette on the pitch just after the final whistle after they beat Arsenal in the FA Cup Final in 1978!
On reflection the Matt Busby character was surprisingly dark, and the way they they dressed him was pure Malcolm Allison, which wouldnt go down well.
Would have like to know more about the scratch team that went on to do so well.
Len, I presumed our striker who was 'faster than you think' would be Stuart Leary, but as for the mouthy centre half, that's a tricky one. From Henry's line up it seems John Hewie was centre half that day, but he had the reputation of being a gent. Surprised Derek Ufton wasnt in the team, wonder what he thought of the film.
Well I meant the team that played for the rest of the season. They got to the Final for a start. How did they do in the league?
It seems miraculous they managed to win any game under the circumstances
I was born the year after the crash. As a kid growing up I remember the brilliant United team that won the European Cup in 1968. Considerable fuss was made of Sir Matt and Bobby Charlton at the time.
There is a documentary coming up this week on the life of Sir Bobby. He was a remarkable player who won everything in the game. I believe though that he saw Duncan Edwards as a footballing hero, so how good he must have been.
It is hard to believe that in 1958 the average age of the Busby Babes was 22 years - that is remarkable. How great would that team have been if it hadn't been for the disaster?
As for the programme/film it doesn't surprise me that some people associated with those involved in the crash are unhappy. It is pretty nigh impossible to make a drama watchable and cover every angle and include every character.
If I was from one of families involved I think I would have found it a fitting tribute to their memory. The point of the film for me was that despite the tragedy, the club endured and become one of, if not the biggest clubs in world football and that is a fitting tribute to their memory - even if I, like many of us, are somewhat grudging in our appreciation of Man Utd and their achievements.
It is interesting to me that the team that Sir Alex has been in charge of now for 20 years has been built upon the ethos of the club through its troubled history being greater than the players. That has created a winning mentality which carries all before it.
When our club was down and out, rescued with 5 minutes to spare, and moved away to Sellout and Upton Parks followed by the triumphant fight to return home, I thought that adversity had created a win at all cost mentality. Under Curbs I'm sure it did, at least in relative terms. Since then that has all been pissed away. I do though take heart because after Sir Matt retired, Man Utd had some years in the relative wilderness, including a relegation. It was the emergence of Fergie and some latitude from the Board that allowed him to re-build, which has re-kindled the Busby spirit.