In the Name of the Father (film)
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| In the Name of the Father | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Jim Sheridan |
| Produced by | Jim Sheridan Gabriel Byrne (executive producer) |
| Written by | Jim Sheridan Terry George |
| Starring | Daniel Day-Lewis Pete Postlethwaite Emma Thompson |
| Cinematography | Peter Biziou |
| Editing by | Gerry Hambling |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) |  December 12, 1993 (premiere) 13 December 1993 (Belfast only) 29 December 1993 (limited) 21 January 1994 11 February 1994 3 March 1994 |
| Running time | 133 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
In the Name of the Father is a 1993 film directed by Jim Sheridan based on the true life story of the Guildford Four, four people falsely convicted of the IRA's Guildford pub bombing which killed 4 off-duty British Soldiers and a civilian. The screenplay was adapted by Terry George and Jim Sheridan from the autobiography Proved Innocent by Gerry Conlon.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Because of incidents with the Irish Republican Army, Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) with his friend Paul Hill (John Lynch) move to London from Belfast. The two become involved in the London Hippie scene and find accommodation in a squat. There they become acquainted with Carole Richardson and Paddy Armstrong. During one of their nocturnal excursions in London, Hill and Conlon meets a homeless man named Charlie Burke in a park and robs the apartment of a prostitute afterwards, after she left her wallet fall on the curb with the keys inside it. While the two are speaking with the beggar, an explosion is heard. Due to a false accusation, Gerry and Paul come into suspicion and are arrested. The new anti-terror laws recently passed by Parliament give the police the power to hold the accused for 7 days without charge. In this time, they are tortured for confessions and further persons are arrested. Due to the confessions of the four principal defendants (Hill, Conlon, Armstrong and Richardson), they are sentenced to terms ranging from 14 years to life imprisonment. From the prison, Gerry and his father Giuseppe (Pete Postlethwaite), who was sentenced likewise, attempt to appeal the decision. During their stay in the prison an IRA member, Joe McAndrew (Don Baker) arrives and tells the pair he did the Guildford bombing and confessed as much to police, who ignored the confession. Meanwhile Gerry's father dies.
Solicitor Gareth Peirce (Emma Thompson) begins to investigate the case in the police archives, after receiving Giuseppe's letters of appeal for assistance, believing that Gerry and his friends are innocent. Fortuitously, on a day the original archives clerk is sick, she asks for the file of Conlon. The replacement clerk asks "Which Conlon? Giuseppe or Gerard?" Realising the situation, after only having had access to Giuseppe's file, she requests Gerry Conlon's file. The Gerry Conlon file opens up previously unseen information such as the note attached to the file which states, "not to be shown to the defence". This document contains Gerry Conlon's alibi, as well as evidence in favour of the other defendants. On appeal into the case, the circumstances provide a scenario which leads to the release of the Guildford Four. On leaving the court, Gerry states that he will continue to fight for the clearing of his father's name, and for justice to be brought to the guilty.
[edit] Cast
- Daniel Day-Lewis as Gerry Conlon
- Pete Postlethwaite as Giuseppe Conlon
- Don Baker as Joe McAndrew
- John Lynch as Paul Hill
- Emma Thompson as Gareth Peirce
- Corin Redgrave as Inspector Robert Dixon
- Frank Harper as Ronnie Smalls
- Alison Crosbie as Girl in Pub
- Mark Sheppard as Paddy Armstrong
- Frankie McCafferty as Tommo
[edit] Controversies
The film was controversial on its release due to the script significantly deviating from actual historical events. For example, Conlon and his father were never imprisoned together as in the film, and the reasons given for Conlon's eventual release are also fictionalised. Emma Thompson's character is a composite of several lawyers who worked on the case, and she did not appear in court as shown in the film, her clients being represented there by a barrister.
[edit] Awards
In the Name of the Father was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Daniel Day-Lewis), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Pete Postlethwaite), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Emma Thompson), Best Director, Best Film Editing, Best Picture and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.
[edit] Soundtrack
The soundtrack of the film includes the song You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart performed by Sinéad O'Connor and written by Bono, Gavin Friday, and Maurice Seezer.
[edit] Filming locations
- Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, Ireland (as Park Royal Prison)
- Liverpool, UK (used for many London scenes).
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Woman Sesame Oil Maker tied with The Wedding Banquet |
Golden Bear winner 1994 |
Succeeded by L'Appât |
