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In the Name of the Father

Play trailer Poster for In the Name of the Father R 1993 2h 12m Biography Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 50 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Unemployed young Irishman Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) gets by as a petty thief in 1970s Belfast. When local IRA leaders get fed up with him, he flees to England and meets up with his friend Paul Hill (John Lynch). On the same night that the IRA bombs a nearby pub, the friends get kicked out of their communal digs and are forced to sleep in a park. He returns to Belfast, but is arrested as the prime suspect in the bombing and imprisoned, where he spends 15 years trying to clear his name.
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In the Name of the Father

In the Name of the Father

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Critics Consensus

Impassioned and meticulously observed, In the Name of the Father mines rousing drama from a factual miscarriage of justice, aided by scorching performances and director Jim Sheridan's humanist focus.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 02/15/2018
Jim Sheridan tells his gripping tale with a fury that stokes up an audience the way early Costa Gavras movies used to do. Go to Full Review
Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 02/28/2014
3.5/4
Daniel Day-Lewis is remarkable. Go to Full Review
Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times 02/28/2014
In the Name of the Father is a model of this kind of engaged, enraged filmmaking, a politically charged Fugitive that uses one of the most celebrated cases of recent British history to steamroller an audience with the power of rousing, polemical cinema. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Apr 5
3/4
...an overlong yet consistently engaging drama that benefits from its inherently compelling subject matter and raft of top-notch performances... Go to Full Review
Graeme Tuckett The Post NZ 06/03/2022
In The Name Of The Father is a gritty, compelling and engrossing film. Day-Lewis is extraordinary, of course. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Christopher F. @Moviefreak90 Nov 16 A standard script elevated by a cadre of powerful Performances See more Rohan H Oct 31 In the Name of the Father (1993) is a profoundly moving and unforgettable film that combines gripping courtroom drama with deep emotional storytelling. Directed by Jim Sheridan and based on a true story, it follows one man’s wrongful imprisonment and his fight — alongside his father — to reclaim freedom and truth. The result is a film that is both heartbreaking and inspiring, driven by extraordinary performances and a powerful message about justice and humanity. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a remarkable, career-defining performance as Gerry Conlon, a young man from Belfast wrongly accused of participating in the 1974 Guildford pub bombings. Initially rebellious and aimless, Gerry’s transformation over the course of the film — from a confused young man to a determined fighter for truth — is breathtaking to watch. Day-Lewis brings raw intensity and emotional honesty to every scene, making Gerry’s suffering and growth feel profoundly real. Pete Postlethwaite is equally outstanding as Giuseppe Conlon, Gerry’s gentle, principled father. His quiet dignity and unconditional love provide the emotional core of the film, creating a deeply moving father-son relationship that transcends the walls of their prison cell. Their bond — tested by injustice and strengthened by love — gives the story its humanity and heart. Emma Thompson shines as Gareth Peirce, the dedicated lawyer who takes up Gerry’s case, adding intelligence and quiet determination to the film’s pursuit of justice. The supporting cast, direction, and script all work together seamlessly to create an atmosphere of both political outrage and deep compassion. Jim Sheridan’s direction is powerful yet restrained. He captures the bleakness of prison life and the brutality of institutional injustice without ever losing focus on the characters’ emotional journeys. The pacing is deliberate, the cinematography stark and evocative, and the soundtrack — including U2’s haunting title track — enhances the film’s emotional depth. What makes In the Name of the Father unforgettable is its humanity. It’s not just a story about corruption or a miscarriage of justice — it’s about the endurance of love, the strength of family, and the unbreakable spirit of those who refuse to give up. The film reminds us that even in the darkest moments, truth and compassion can prevail. See more Anna W Aug 20 This is one of my favourite films. I've seen it about 5 times and each time I watch it, it is always as harrowing and gripping as the first time. Daniel Day Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite and Emma Thompson are truly outstanding and I'm always surprised at the fact they didn't get Oscars for their performances. The song by Sinéad O'Connor for the soundtrack is also perfect. See more John C Jun 21 In the Name of the Father is a deeply stirring film that lessens the moral authority of the I.R.A., English soldiers in Ireland, the British police and the British government See more Olivia J May 1 An excellent biopic of a true story of a group of people who were wrongly accused of a bombing and how the british government tried to hide the fact that they were innocent. See more Biker B Mar 17 One of the greatest movies showing how the Irish have been treated by the British! And outstanding movie that should be in everyone's collection! See more Read all reviews
In the Name of the Father

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In the Name of the Father

In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Dropping Acid in Prison In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Dropping Acid in Prison 2:25 In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - He Can't Breathe! In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - He Can't Breathe! 2:09 In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Not to Be Shown to the Defense In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Not to Be Shown to the Defense 3:19 In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Prison Takeover In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Prison Takeover 2:17 In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Shoot Your Dad In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - I'm Gonna Shoot Your Dad 2:12 In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Firelight Vigil In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Firelight Vigil 1:49 In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Trashing His Cell In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Trashing His Cell 2:09 In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - I Will Fight On! In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - I Will Fight On! 2:09 In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - IRA Riot In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - IRA Riot 3:12 In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Improvised Flamethrower In the Name of the Father: Official Clip - Improvised Flamethrower 2:19 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Unemployed young Irishman Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) gets by as a petty thief in 1970s Belfast. When local IRA leaders get fed up with him, he flees to England and meets up with his friend Paul Hill (John Lynch). On the same night that the IRA bombs a nearby pub, the friends get kicked out of their communal digs and are forced to sleep in a park. He returns to Belfast, but is arrested as the prime suspect in the bombing and imprisoned, where he spends 15 years trying to clear his name.
Director
Jim Sheridan
Producer
Jim Sheridan
Screenwriter
Terry George, Jim Sheridan
Distributor
Universal Pictures, Argentina Video Home
Production Co
Universal Pictures, Hell's Kitchen Films
Rating
R
Genre
Biography, Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 12, 1993, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$24.6M
Runtime
2h 12m
Sound Mix
Surround, Stereo, DTS, Dolby
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