Tom Hooper, director of The Damned United.

So Who Is Tom Hooper?

He's the director of The Damned United, that's who. And although this is his feature debut he comes to it with a wealth of experience - and a few awards - from his work on television.

Hooper most recently won acclaim for his work on the miniseries John Adams. Early in his career he directed episodes of Prime Suspect and Cold Feet, the television film Red Dust, the classic serial Daniel Deronda and the miniseries Love In A Cold Climate.

He directed Elizabeth I, starring Helen Mirren, and the BAFTA winning Longford which was written by Peter Morgan and produced by (among others) Andy Harries.

Hooper, Morgan and Harries are reunited on The Damned United, a compelling account of Brian Clough's turbulent 44 day tenure as manager of Leeds United. This came in 1974, after a successful spell at Derby County and just before his triumphant glory with Nottingham Forest.

Featuring a masterful performance from Michael Sheen as Clough, the story is adapted from David Peace's award winning book and achieves the near impossible by pleasing football fans and non-fans alike.

ANWAR BRETT

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