In the Name of the Father (1993)

A man's coerced confession to an IRA bombing he did not commit results in the imprisonment of his father as well. An English lawyer fights to free them.

Director:

Jim Sheridan

Writers:

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

Stars:

Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Alison Crosbie

Top Rated Movies #186 | Nominated for 7 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 34 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alison Crosbie	...	Girl in Pub
Daniel Day-Lewis	...	Gerry Conlon
Philip King	...	Guildford Soldier
Emma Thompson	...	Gareth Peirce
Nye Heron	...	IRA Man 1
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

Storyline

Young Belfastian Gerry Conlon admits that he was in London at the time of the incident. He also admits that he is not a model citizen, having committed a petty robbery while in London. He does however profess his innocence when it comes to the bombing of the Guildford Pub in London in 1974, the event which killed several people inside. A self-professed non-political person, he and his three co-accused, dubbed the Guildford Four, are thought to be provisional members of the IRA. Their self-professed innocence is despite each having signed a statement of guilt which they claim were signed under duress. Their case includes having provable alibis for the time frame of the bombing. And eventually, Joe McAndrew, a known IRA member, admits to the bombing. Dubbed the Maguire Seven, seven others, primarily members of Gerry's extended family including his father Giuseppe, are accused of being accessories to the bombing. Following on the work initiated by Giuseppe, Gerry works on a campaign to ...

---

Plot Keywords:

prison | father son relationship | based on true story | anti irish bias | psychological manipulation | 

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and politically-geneRated violence

Details

Country:

Ireland UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

In the Name of the Father

Filming Locations:

Upper Thames Street, City of London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$25,010,410

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,700,000, 31 December 1994

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hell's Kitchen Films,Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby DTS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Gerry Conlon had befriended Johnny Depp during the summer of 1990, and was keen for Johnny to play him in a film. Depp would later provide the forewood for Gerry Conlon's biography.

---

Goofs

When Paul and Gerry arrive in London, they walk the streets looking for Paddy's house. One street sign says 'Huskisson Street,' which is in Liverpool, not London.

---

Quotes

Gerry Conlon: I'll be older than you when I get out of this place. If I get out. Are you listening to me?
Giuseppe Conlon: I'm not talking to you.
Gerry Conlon: Now who's being childish?
Giuseppe Conlon: I've not heard a sensible word out of you in two weeks. That stuff will kill you.
[talking about drugs]
Gerry Conlon: Sure I'm dead anyway. Look I'm sorry. I'll not take it again as long as you live. Are you happy now?
Giuseppe Conlon: No.
Gerry Conlon: Why not?
Giuseppe Conlon: I don't want you to take it whether I live or die.
Gerry Conlon: Oh, give me strength. Ok, I'll do nothing to annoy you in your grave. Now are you happy?
[...]

---

Connections

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Heaven and Earth/Grumpy Old Men/Shadowlands/In the Name of the Father/The Summer House (1993)

---

Soundtracks

Tiger Feet
Performed by Mud
Written and Produced by Nicky Chinn (as Nicky Chinn) and Mike Chapman (as Mike Chapman) for Chinnichap
Published by BMG Music Publishing Ltd.
Courtesy of EMI Records and Arista Records Inc.

User Reviews

Disquieting great film

The movie is based on a true story. Belfast guy Gerry Conlon is suspected of being one of the IRA terrorists responsible for a bomb in Guilford, London, in 1974, which killed several people. He spends 15 years in jail, fighting for his innocence and for truth.

After working with Daniel Day Lewis in "My left foot", director Jim Sheridan teams again with the actor for this drama. The strong cast is completed by Emma Thomson and Pete Postlewaite. The result is a brilliant, passionate feature which tells about injustice. It's a disquieting film.

This is doubtless the most achieved collaboration between the director and the main star. The other pictures as well are very good, but here we have a film of accusation -the story is more involving. Day Lewis performance in "My left foot" was awarded with an Oscar, but the actor could have been given the same prize for his play of Gerry Conlon.

Strong screenplay, actors and soundtrack -with music of Gavin Friday and Maurice Seezer and songs of Irish stars Bono and Sinead O'Connor.