In the Name of the Father (1993)

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers (WGA):

Gerry Conlon (autobiographical book "Proved Innocent")
Terry George (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

25 February 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Falsely accused. Wrongly imprisoned. He fought for justice to clear his father's name.

Plot:

Man's coerced confession to an IRA bombing he didn't do imprisons his father as well; a British lawyer helps fight for their freedom.

Plot Keywords:

Prison | Bomb | False Accusation | Irish Republican Army | Courtroom

Awards:

Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Alison Crosbie	...	Girl in Pub
Philip King	...	Guildford Soldier
Emma Thompson	...	Gareth Peirce
Nye Heron	...	IRA Man 1
Daniel Day-Lewis	...	Gerry Conlon
Anthony Brophy	...	Danny
Frankie McCafferty	...	Tommo
Paul Warriner	...	Soldier
Julian Walsh	...	Soldier
Stuart Wolfenden	...	Soldier (as Stuart Wolvenden)
Jo Connor	...	Bin Lady
Karen Carlisle	...	Female Rioter
Seamus Moran	...	IRA Man 2
Billy Byrne	...	IRA Man 3
Maureen McBride	...	Mother

MPAA:

Rated R for language and politically-generated violence.

Runtime:

133 min

Country:

Ireland | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby | DTS

Certification:

Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 | South Korea:15 | Canada:18+ (Ontario) | Philippines:R-18 | Netherlands:12 (DVD rating) | Ireland:18 (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-14 | Germany:12 | Norway:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios - Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

Hell's Kitchen Films

Trivia:

Daniel Day-Lewis kept his Northern Irish accent on and off the set for the entire shooting schedule.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Gerry is released from prison, policemen standing behind him on the steps disappear and reappear between shots.

Quotes:

Giuseppe Conlon: I want you have some respect.
Gerry Conlon: Respect for who?
Giuseppe Conlon: For yourself.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "QI: Film (#6.11)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Billy Boola

Perhaps a bit too black and white but still very impressive.

Even though this movie seems a bit too black and white from time to time I must say that it still is an impressive piece of cinema. Too black and white because I sometimes had the feeling that they had left out some parts to make it all a lot easier for the viewer. I can't help believing that Conlon and Hill weren't the nicest guys either, but the movie shows them almost as saints (except for the fact that they steal some lead from the roofs, they never really do anything wrong). Does that mean that this movie isn't any good? Certainly not! It still remains very impressive and the idea that injustice in the name of protecting the country should be allowed is awful and so it is good that at least some movie makers aren't afraid to protest against it.

The movie tells the story about Gerry Conlon and his old school friend Paul Hill. They both are small time criminals and because of their own safety they have to live in London for a while. Otherwise they might get shot by the IRA. In London they stay in a community of hippies, but aren't welcomed by everybody. As a bomb explodes in a pub, one of the members from the community goes to the police and accuses them of the crime. They are immediately apprehended, together with Conlon's father, his aunt and her family. What follows is a process full of corruption and false accusations, putting them in jail for many years even though they haven't done anything wrong.

The film is very good. It's well acted, well paced and well directed. The story is touching and I never got bored when watching it. Therefor I give it an 8/10.