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In the Name of the Father Movie Review Summary

Actors: Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Emma Thompson

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of In the Name of the Father


Biopic about Irish Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis), who got wrongly accused of the Guilford Bombing, because he happened to be in the vicinity, when it took place in 1974, got convicted and sent to jail, before evidence came to the fore that the police had withheld evidence that would have exonerated him, 16 years later.
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Gerry's father, Giuseppe Conlon (Pete Postlethwaite), had sent him to stay with his aunt in London. Instead, he decides to stay at a squat, because he has more personal freedom there. One evening, there is an explosion at a pub in Guildford nearby, which kills five people.

When Gerry has returned to Belfast, one of the remaining squatters tells the police about his stay there, and Gerry gets arrested. He is immediately flown back to the UK. Gerry is interrogated by police extensively and in the end, after long hours of questioning and lots of threats, he agrees to sign a confession. Gerry, and three others, are sentenced to 30 years or more in prison.

At some point, lawyer Gareth Peirce (Emma Thompson) finds police documents in Gerry's file that are marked "Not to be shown to the Defence." When she shows this evidence in court, and with that, can prove that the police has been lying all along, the Guildford Four are exonerated and released.

The film ends with Gerry telling his story to the media. Title cards point out that the police were acquitted of any wrongdoing, and that the people responsible for the bombing, were never prosecuted.

Best part of story, including ending: It's an appalling story about a failing justice system, a true one upon that.

Best scene in story: The scene where Peirce can present the evidence that has been withheld to prove the innocence of the convicted four.

Opinion about the main character: He is a real life person.

The review of this Movie prepared by Benten a Level 8 Sooty Shearwater scholar

Script Analysis of In the Name of the Father

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Plot & Themes

Time/era of movie:    -   1960's-1970's Crime & Scandal    -   Yes Story of    -   falsely accused clearing name

Main Character

Identity:    -   Male Profession/status:    -   unemployed Age:    -   20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality    -   Irish

Setting

Europe    -   Yes European country:    -   England/UK    -   Ireland Misc setting    -   prison

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   generic/vague references to death/punishment Any profanity?    -   Some foul language

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