David Hare is one of Great Britain's most distinguished contemporary playwrights. In some regards, Hare's work can be considered a sort of conscience for his nation during the '70s and '80s and many of his plays centered on Britain's apparent declining economics, spirituality and morality. Some of his better known works include Fanshen (1975) and Pravda. Hare turned to film in the late '80s and directed three distinguished adaptations of his plays including his debut Wetherby, an off-beat drama about a school teacher who tries to cope with the suicide of a stranger in her home. Wetherby won a Golden Bear award at the 1985 Berlin Film Festival. In addition to directing, Hare also occasionally penned screenplays for other filmmakers. These include an adaptation of one of his plays, Plenty (1985), Louis Malle's Damage (1992) and The Secret Rapture (1994). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide