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:

Errors in geography: A TV News report describes the Ardoyne district as being in West Belfast. In fact it is in North Belfast.

Quotes:

Gareth Peirce: It's not the stairs that are killing your father Jerry.
Gerry Conlon: Ay, what is it then?
Gareth Peirce: It's your lack of faith.
Gerry Conlon: Lack of faith? Faith in what?
Gareth Peirce: In yourself.
Gerry Conlon: I have faith in myself. Gerry Conlon. Lifer. 30 years sentence and I know how to survive it. No problem.
Gareth Peirce: At what price?
Gerry Conlon: I'll pay the full price. Don't you worry about it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man: In the Nam of the Father (#2.7)" (1995)

Soundtrack:

In the Name of the Father

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.