United (TV drama)

United



United is a British TV film directed by James Strong and written by Chris Chibnall. It is based on the true story of Manchester United's "Busby Babes" and the 1958 Munich air disaster. David Tennant plays coach Jimmy Murphy and Jack O'Connell plays Bobby Charlton. It was first broadcast on 24 April 2011 on BBC Two and BBC HD, but is being sold internationally as a theatrical picture by Content Media Corp.


PLOT
The drama primarily focusses on the relationship between assistant manager Jimmy Murphy and the young player Bobby Charlton. The film begins in 1956 as Murphy gives Charlton his first chance to play a match with Manchester United's first team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes" due to their unique pedigree as an entirely club-nurtured team of players. Meanwhile, manager Matt Busby persuades Football League administrator Alan Hardaker to allow his team to play in the European Cup with the proviso that they are back in time for each scheduled fixture. The team see success both at home and abroad. However, the terrible events of the 1958 Munich air disaster leave the team with only four surviving players who are able to play. Against the odds, Murphy vows to present a team to play their next home game and, ultimately, the 1958 FA Cup Final.



Jack O'Connell = Bobby Charlton