In the Name of the Father Movie Review 1993

Compelling true story of Gerry Conlon and the Guildford Four, illegally imprisoned in 1974 by British officials after a tragic IRA bombing near London. The British judicial system receives a black eye, but so does the horror and cruelty of IRA terrorism. Politics and family life in a prison cell share the focus, as Sheridan captures superior performances from Day-Lewis and Postlethwaite (beware the thick Belfast brogue). Thompson was accused of pro-IRA sympathies in the British press for her role as the lawyer who believed in Conlon's innocence. Adapted from "Proved Innocent," Conlon's prison memoirs; reunites Sheridan and Day-Lewis after "My Left Foot." Includes original songs by U2's Bono, with a haunting theme sung by Sinead O'Connor.

Distribution

Universal Studios Home Video, 100 Universal City Plz., Universal City, CA 91608-9955, Phone: (818)777-1000, Fax: (818)866-1483, URL: http://www.universalstudios.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 127 minutes.
Originally from British, Irish.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Men in Prison, London, Politics, Order in the Court, Law & Lawyers, Dads, True Stories, Adapted from Memoirs or Diaries, Belfast, Terrorism, Justice Prevails...?, Rebel With a Cause, Protests, Director/Star Teams: Sheridan & Day-Lewis, The Wrong Man

Screenplay

Jim Sheridan, Terry George

Cast

Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Emma Thompson, John Lynch, Corin Redgrave, Beatie Edney, John Benfield, Paterson Joseph, Marie Jones, Gerard McSorley, Frank Harper, Mark Sheppard, Don Baker, Britta Smith, Aidan Grennell, Daniel Massey, Bosco Hogan

Cinematography

Peter Biziou

Director

Jim Sheridan

Music

Trevor Jones, Bono, Sinead O'Connor

Producer

Arthur Lappin, Gabriel Byrne, Terry George, Hell's Kitchen, Mark Huffam

Awards

Berlin Intl. Film Fest. 1994: Golden Berlin Bear.