Watch United
- PG-13
- 2011
- 1 hr 30 min
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7.3 (13,298)
United is a powerful and emotional drama that tells the story of the 1958 Munich air disaster. The film is directed by James Strong and stars Dean Andrews, Kate Ashfield, and Natalie Burt. It is based on the true story of the Manchester United football team, which was returning from a European Cup match in Belgrade when their plane crashed. The team was nicknamed the Busby Babes after their manager Matt Busby.
The film begins by giving us a glimpse into the lives of the individual players on the team. There's Bobby Charlton (Jack O'Connell), the talented midfielder who dreams of playing for England in the World Cup. There's Duncan Edwards (Sam Claflin), the tough-tackling young star who is already one of the best players in the world. And then there's the rest of the team, each with their own hopes and dreams.
When the team's plane crashes while attempting to take off from Munich airport, there is a feeling of disbelief and despair. The film skillfully recreates the tragedy, using a combination of real footage and dramatized scenes. We see the players' desperate struggle to escape the burning wreckage, and the heroic efforts of the emergency services to save those who were still alive.
The film then focuses on the aftermath of the disaster, as the surviving players struggle to come to terms with what has happened. We see the grief and trauma that they go through, as they try to cope with the loss of their teammates and friends. There's also the sense of guilt that some of them feel, as they wonder why they survived when others didn't.
One of the most moving scenes in the film is when the players return to Manchester for the first time after the disaster. The city is in mourning, and the players are greeted by thousands of fans who have come to pay their respects. The scene is beautifully shot, and the emotion on Dean Andrews' face as he plays Busby is palpable.
The film also deals with the question of whether the team should continue to play in the European Cup. Busby is determined to rebuild the team and continue on in honor of those who lost their lives. However, the Football Association is opposed to this, and the media is skeptical. The tense scenes between Busby and his opponents are some of the most compelling in the film.
Overall, United is a powerful and emotional film that tells a story that is both tragic and inspiring. The performances are uniformly excellent, especially Andrews as Busby and Claflin as Edwards. The direction is deft and understated, allowing the events of the tragedy to speak for themselves. The film is not without its flaws, especially in the pacing in the second half. But these are minor quibbles in what is otherwise an excellent film.
If you're a fan of football or just looking for a good drama, United is definitely worth watching. Just be sure to prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster ride.
United is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.