Mr. Hooper, whose previous film was "The King's Speech, " worked from a screenplay by William Nicholson.

WSJ: Les Mis��rables | Hugh Jackman | Anne Hathaway | Russell Crowe | A 'Les Mis��rables' Whose Intimacy Is Front-Row Center | By Joe Morgenstern

The writers, William Nicholson and Ngemi, and the director, Darrell James Roodt, take admirable positions against violence as well as oppression.

NEWYORKER: Sarafina!