The Damned United is a 2009 British sports drama film directed by Tom Hooper and adapted by Peter Morgan from David Peace's bestselling 2006 novel The Damned Utd – a largely fictional book based on the author's interpretation of Brian Clough's ill-fated tenure as football manager of Leeds United in 1974. Produced by BBC Films and Left Bank Pictures with additional funding from Screen Yorkshire and Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Releasing International served as distributor.