In the Name of the Father (1994)

Based on a true story, this rousing and tough-minded film details British overzealousness in prosecuting an IRA bombing in the 1970s. Grabbing up a pair of small-time thieves (Daniel Day-Lewis and John Lynch) and their families, the government concocts a conspiracy case against them and tosses them all in jail. Until then, Day-Lewis has been a ne'er-do-well, an apolitical goof looking for a quick score. But confronted with the toughness of his own father (Pete Postlethwaite) in the face of British torture, he begins to realize just what the stakes are. In the Name of the Father is at times grueling and never less than compelling, with a complex performance by Day-Lewis and a strong one by Emma Thompson, as the lawyer who finally cracks through the British obstructions to the truth. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com

 Wrong Place At The Wrong Time
A remarkable film based on the true story of Gerry Conlan, In The Name Of The Father has one of the most gripping opening 20 minutes of any movie I have ever seen. The entire film is incredibly well written and superbly acted.
Essentially a tale of the miscarriage of justice and the abuse of police powers during the troubles, the film begins in Belfast with the British troops mistaking Conlon (Danile Day Lewis) for an IRA sniper and chaos ensues. This is just a foretelling of a much more serious mistake in identity that results in his being accused of being one of the Guilford Four bombers after being picked up by the police in London where he and his friend have gone to escape the dangers of Belfast.

Lewis is amazing in the lead role and the rest of the cast is fabulous as well. In the Name Of The Father is a story that serves as a cautionary tale regarding the abuse of power and how being the in wrong place at the wrong time can have devastating consequences. April 7, 2008

 heartbreaking
I have watched this movie more times than I can count. Every time I watch it I am still amazed at what transpired. The acting is truly superb. What happened to the people portrayed in the film (was) is appalling. Scary to think about what may go on behind the scenes when a terrible crime is committed and the police desperately want to solve it. January 21, 2008

 Riveting!
"In the Name of the Father" is a movie based on a true story that shows not only how life can be unfair, but how, through strange circumstance, even in great suffering, a father and son come to know and love each other, when otherwise they might have drifted apart.

The story is set during the IRA revolution. A first scene shows happy young people entering a English pub in the evening during the year 1974. Fire and smoke explode in front when a IRA bomb foes off, killing five people. An outraged public demands justice and the pressure on police is tremendous.

Robert Dixon (Corin Redgrave), head of the police force, is desperate to find suspects - and needs them fast. He picks on Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) with little evidence to back his charge. (Daniel Day-Lewis plays this role superbly!) Gerry Conlon and Paul Hill (John Lynch), are old childhood pals that meeting on a boat headed to London. They play instead of work - want-a-be hippies out for a good time and finding home where they can, including a park bench. Somehow they become prime targets and are charged with the crime.

Gerry's father Giuseppe (a name given to him by his mother because she liked Italian Ice) rushes to help his son in London. Pete Postlewait plays the father, Guisseppe. It is a complicated relationship, but mostly antagonistic in the first part of the movie. Guiseppe comes to London from their home in Belfast, Ireland, and is also charged as an IRA revolutionary.

At the trial, the "Guildford Four", including Gerry and Paul, are sentenced to life in prison and Giuseppe is given fourteen years. The mother is there with the daughters of Guiseppe and sisters of Gerry. She is heart-broken and another victim of the sad set of circumstances. Later, evidence is uncovered that show Gerry and Paul are innocent. For some reason of "saving face" the police keep it under wraps. It is not clear how or why Ms. Peirce, the lawyer (Emma Thompson), takes on the case, but she becomes the "houndog of heaven" - never letting go and digging out the facts and truth to get the unfair convictions overthrown.

The last courtroom scene is riveting and tense, yet wonderful in finally hearing that Gerry is free, although his father died in prison. The freeing of Gerry and his three innocent friends is important, but every much as important is the bonding of father and son. During the fourteen years together, they learn how to accept each other and develop a true father and son bond, love and respect.

If the movie seems long in spots, it is due to the threading of several sub-stories and keeping them clear and real throughout. November 17, 2007

 In the Name of the Father
Jim Sheridan's searing political docudrama is a worthy modern successor to Carol Reed's "Odd Man Out". Day-Lewis and Postlethwaite give gut-wrenching turns as the angry son and his bewildered father, and Thompson lends fiery support as their dogged barrister. Nominated for seven Oscars, "Father" is an ode to human dignity and a hard-hitting tale of political injustice. July 13, 2007

 Great Movie
This is an all time favorite of mine.. Based on the real life story of a wrongly accused family . Its thought provoking and brings out all your emotions at different times during the movie. A must see IMO if you like Daniel Day Lewis . The co stars also did a great job!! April 4, 2007

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