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In the Name of the Father (film)

1993 film by Jim Sheridan

In the Name of the Father is a 1993 film about a man's coerced confession to an I.R.A. bombing he didn't commit that imprisons his father as well; a British lawyer helps fight for their freedom. It is based on the true life story of the Guildford Four, four people falsely convicted of the IRA's Guildford pub bombings which killed four off-duty British soldiers and a civilian.

Directed by Jim Sheridan. Written by Terry George and Jim Sheridan, adapted from the autobiography Proved Innocent: The Story of Gerry Conlon of the Guildford Four by Gerry Conlon.
Falsely accused. Wrongly imprisoned. He fought for justice to clear his father's name. (taglines)

Gerry Conlon

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  • [after his case is dismissed, and the guards try to escort him out] I'm a free man, and I'm going out the front door.
  • [outside the courtroom] I'm an innocent man. I spent 15 years in prison for something I didn't do. I watched my father die in a British prison for something he didn't do. And this government still says he's guilty. I want to tell them that until my father is proved innocent, until all the people involved in this case are proved innocent, until the guilty ones are brought to justice, I will fight on. In the name of my father and of the truth!

Gareth Peirce

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  • [after hearing of Gerry's father's death] Well, I think they ought to take the word 'compassion' out of the English dictionary.
  • [to Robert Dixon at the appeal] Well then, would you be so kind as to read the statement that you took from him on the third of November 1974? A statement, Milord, which vindicates these people, all these innocent people. Someone, either that man, or his superior, or his superior's superior, ordered that these people be used as scapegoats by a nation that was baying for blood in return for the innocent blood spilled on the streets of Guildford! And by God, you've got your blood, Mr Dixon! You've got the blood of Giuseppe Conlon, you've got the lifeblood of Carole Richardson and you've got fifteen years of blood and sweat and pain from my client, whose only crime was he was bloody well Irish, and he was foolish and he was in the wrong place at the wrong time!
  • Milord, this alibi for Gerry Conlon was taken by Mr Dixon one month after Gerry Conlon was arrested. This note was attached to it when I found it in police files. [she holds up the note, which reads "Not to be Shown to The Defence", to gasps of disbelief from the gallery] I have one question to ask you, Mr Dixon. Why was the alibi for Gerry Conlon, who was charged with the murder of five innocent people...kept from the defence?

Dialogue

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Gerry Conlon: That was a good day's work, McAndrew. A good day's work.
Joe McAndrew: Get away from me.
Gerry Conlon: You're not looking me in the eye when you're speaking to me. You see, I know how to look at people without blinking as well. In all my god-forsaken life I have never known what it was like to want to kill somebody until now. You're a brave man, Joe. A brave man.
Gerry Conlon: When can I go back to Belfast?
Detective: Next time you'll see Belfast, they'll be flying day trips to the moon.
Gerry Conlon: I always wanted to be an astronaut.
Giuseppe Conlon: I want you have some respect.
Gerry Conlon: Respect for who?
Giuseppe Conlon: For yourself.
Gerry Conlon: I'll be older than you when I get out of this place. If I get out. Are you listening to me?
Giuseppe Conlon: I'm not talking to you.
Gerry Conlon: Now who's being childish?
Giuseppe Conlon: I've not heard a sensible word out of you in two weeks. [about drugs] That stuff will kill you.
Gerry Conlon: Sure I'm dead anyway. Look I'm sorry. I'll not take it again as long as you live. Are you happy now?
Giuseppe Conlon: No.
Gerry Conlon: Why not?
Giuseppe Conlon: I don't want you to take it whether I live or die.
Gerry Conlon: Oh, give me strength. OK, I'll do nothing to annoy you in your grave. Now are you happy?
Giuseppe Conlon: Is that a promise?
Gerry Conlon: Ay, maybe.
Giuseppe Conlon: I'm going to die.
Gerry Conlon: Don't be saying that.
Giuseppe Conlon: I'm scared.
Gerry Conlon: There's no reason to be scared. You have nothing to be scared about.
Giuseppe Conlon: Don't you be comforting me when I can see the truth staring me in the face. I'm scared I'm gonna die here.
Gerry Conlon: You're not dying alright?
Giuseppe Conlon: Can I not say a thing without you contradicting me? I'm scared to leave your mother behind.
Gerry Conlon: Look, you are not going to die alright? If you do, sure I can look after Ma alright.
Giuseppe Conlon: You think I'd leave Sara in your care?
Gerry Conlon: What do you mean?
Giuseppe Conlon: You haven't the maturity to take care of yourself, let alone your mother.
Gareth Peirce: It's not the stairs that are killing your father.
Gerry Conlon: Aye, what is it then?
Gareth Peirce: It's your lack of faith.
Gerry Conlon: Lack of faith? Faith in what?
Gareth Peirce: In yourself.
Gerry Conlon: No. I have faith in myself. Gerry Conlon. Lifer. 30-year sentence. And I know how to survive it, no problem.
Gareth Peirce: At what price?
Gerry Conlon: I'll pay the fuckin' price, don't you worry about it.
Gareth Peirce: The price for what?
Gerry Conlon: Aye. You're very good at the English, aren't you? You see, I don't understand your language. "Justice." "Mercy." "Clemency." I literally don't understand what those words mean. I'd like to put in an application to get all my teeth extracted. That way I could put my fist in my mouth and never speak another word of fuckin' English so long as I live. Do you see what I'm saying... Mrs. Peirce is it?
Gareth Peirce: Are you trying to impress me?
Gerry Conlon: Was I always bad, was I?
Giuseppe Conlon: Not always.
Gerry Conlon: I don't deserve to spend the rest of my life in here do I?
Giuseppe Conlon: All they done was block out the light. [points to his head] They can't block out the light in here.
Gerry Conlon: What I remember most about my childhood is holding your hand. My wee hand in your big hand, and the smell of tobacco. I remember, I could smell the tobacco in the palm of your hand. When I want to feel happy, I try to remember the smell of tobacco.
Giuseppe Conlon: Oh, my heart.
Appeal Prosecutor: [On the alibi for Gerry Conlon and Paul Hill] My Lord, this is new evidence.
Appeal Judge: It is shocking new evidence.
Appeal Prosecutor: My lord, this evidence was not submitted at the trial that is under appeal.
Appeal Judge: That, I believe, is the point that Mrs Pierce is trying to make. Proceed, Mrs Pierce.

Taglines

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  • Falsely accused. Wrongly imprisoned. He fought for justice to clear his father's name.
  • In the name of truth... In the name of justice... In the name of love.

Cast

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