In the Name of the Father

views updated

In the Name of the Father ★★★½ 1993 (R)

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 proIRA 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. 127m/C VHS, DVD . GB IR 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; D: Jim Sheridan; W: Jim Sheridan, Terry George; C: Peter Biziou; M: Trevor Jones, Bono, Sinead O'Connor. Berlin Intl. Film Fest. ‘94: Golden Berlin Bear.

About this article

In the Name of the Father

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article