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In the Name of the Father
1993 133 min Ireland R 16+
★8.5
Drama
Director: Jim Sheridan
📖 Based on the novel
«Proved Innocent: The Story of Gerry Conlon of the Guildford Four»
byGerry Conlon
Trailers
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EN
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Description
A small-time Belfast thief, Gerry Conlon, is wrongly convicted of an IRA bombing in London, along with his father and friends, and spends 15 years in prison fighting to prove his innocence.
Budget:
$13M
US Gross:
$25.1M
Worldwide:
$65.8M
Starring
Daniel Day-Lewis
Actor
Pete Postlethwaite
Actor
Anthony Brophy
Actor
Awards
Berlin International Film Festival 1994
— Golden Bear
Golden Globe 1994
— Best Actor (Drama)
Golden Globe 1994
— Best Supporting Actress
Academy Awards 1994
— Best Actor
Golden Globe 1994
— Best Picture (Drama)
Academy Awards 1994
— Best Supporting Actor
Academy Awards 1994
— Best Supporting Actress
Golden Globe 1994
— Best Original Song
European Film Awards 1994
— Best Picture
Academy Awards 1994
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Academy Awards 1994
— Best Film Editing
Berlin International Film Festival 1994
— Golden Bear
BAFTA 1994
— Best Actor
BAFTA 1994
— Best Adapted Screenplay
Academy Awards 1994
— Best Director
Key opinion
In the Name of the Father is a visceral and emotionally devastating drama that excels through the powerhouse performances of Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite. While the film takes significant liberties with historical facts for dramatic effect, it succeeds as a poignant exploration of systemic injustice and the enduring bond between a father and son.
| Acting | Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite deliver exceptional, transformative performances that serve as the film's emotional anchor. | |
| Production | The production design and location work effectively immerse viewers in the tense, chaotic atmosphere of 1970s Belfast and the prison environment. | |
| Emotion | The film succeeds as a gripping, emotionally heavy drama by centering on the personal maturation of the protagonist and his evolving relationship with his father. | |
| Adaptation | The narrative makes conscious departures from historical accuracy, prioritizing dramatic tension and thematic resonance over strict documentary-style facts. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the film's structure vary: some viewers appreciate its intimate focus on the Conlon family, while others feel it lacks a cohesive, broader narrative thread regarding the wider judicial scandal. | |
| Pacing | The pacing is viewed as inconsistent, with some finding the abrupt transitions and narrative skips jarring compared to the film's more contemplative character beats. |