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Amazon.co.uk Review
If it had been written as a piece of fiction no one would have believed it, but In the Name of the Father is the true story of one of the most shocking episodes in British legal history. Dealing with the events surrounding the Guildford pub bombing in 1974 and the subsequent 15-year fight for justice, the film portrays a nation in the grip of an anti-system, desperate to find culprits at any cost, however immoral, illegal or brutal. By playing out the drama in personal as well as political terms--the relationship between Gerry Conlon (Day-Lewis) and his father (Pete Postlethwaite) becomes the story's centrepiece--the film works on numerous levels, but the events are no less shameful for it. The court case that ultimately freed the three men and one woman only takes centre stage for the last 20 minutes but despite that--and the fact that the outcome is no secret--it is high drama and completely gripping. This is an unmissable example of genuinely courageous cinema.
On the DVD: Where the real-life events behind the film might have offered huge scope for additional material, the DVD provides little beyond production and cast notes. The film's re-creation of both 1970s Belfast and London is very realistic, intensified by the anamorphic screen ratio, and the excellent soundtrack (including Bono, Sinead O'Connor and Thin Lizzy), which helps drive the action, is intensified by the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack. --Phil Udell
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This movie is one of my favorite movies of all time! It was the movie that introduced me to the genius of Daniel Day Lewis and to the issues of the IRA and Northern Ireland. I was 10 when I first saw this movie and the horror of what it depicted stayed with me. The performances of the actors are brilliant all the way around as is the direction. It made me laugh, it made me cry and probably best of all it made me realize that things aren't always the way they seem, even if it is the police who are giving you the facts.
There are other reviewers who have summarized the movie, so I won't do that here. What I will say is this: apart from the actual story being told in the movie, it is a movie well worth watching because it is still so very current in the issue of terrorism and how we deal with this. The way that the British police treats the people they bring in for "questioning" are horrifyingly similar to the things you hear on the news that the "democratic" nations fighting for democracy in the Middle East are doing to supposed terrorists. This movie forces you to take a good look at your own opinions on post-9/11 legislation, i.e. the PATRIOT Act and other similar laws it spawned. It forces you to think about whether or not you can completely trust the information you are given by a government desperate to put a face on an enemy who is spreading terror amongst the nation's citizens.
I have recommended this movie to pretty much everyone I know and so I will do the same here. I have yet to meet anyone who didn't like it so I can only assume that it is not just me.
There are other reviewers who have summarized the movie, so I won't do that here. What I will say is this: apart from the actual story being told in the movie, it is a movie well worth watching because it is still so very current in the issue of terrorism and how we deal with this. The way that the British police treats the people they bring in for "questioning" are horrifyingly similar to the things you hear on the news that the "democratic" nations fighting for democracy in the Middle East are doing to supposed terrorists. This movie forces you to take a good look at your own opinions on post-9/11 legislation, i.e. the PATRIOT Act and other similar laws it spawned. It forces you to think about whether or not you can completely trust the information you are given by a government desperate to put a face on an enemy who is spreading terror amongst the nation's citizens.
I have recommended this movie to pretty much everyone I know and so I will do the same here. I have yet to meet anyone who didn't like it so I can only assume that it is not just me.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is truly one of the best films I have ever seen. The injustice it depicts will make your blood boil. It will also make you pause at the actions of our current government, which has invaded and occupied Iraq without provocation and continues to hold prisoners without process or legal protection at Guantanamo and in secret prisons overseas.
This film makes two things very clear: 1) we are not human beings if we treat each other the way the British government treated these innocent people; and 2) occupations create violence and resentment that span generations.
This film makes two things very clear: 1) we are not human beings if we treat each other the way the British government treated these innocent people; and 2) occupations create violence and resentment that span generations.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
On 5'th October 1974 an IRA bomb exploded in a crowded Guildford pub; killing many and injuring/maiming far more. To me the events which followed, and which this film encapsulates perfectly, demonstrate the ludicrously unjust situations which inevitably arise, when a 'democratic' government insists on being bound by 'the international rule of law' when dealing with terrorists, who quite evidently don't give a damn about the law themselves.
Knowing 'those responsible' have almost certainly left the country, but fearing widespread anti-Irish riots; these same 'respect for justice' politicians have no hesitation in 'secretly' bringing massive pressure(promotion, pensions etc...) on police forces to apprehend 'those responsible'. In blind desperation, the police trawl the area, find a few faces that will 'fit' and manufacture a case against them. A show trial is organized. As the felons are dispatched to prison, an exultant media spotlights those involved, the career prospects of whom are enhanced! These senior political, police and media figures involved however; mostly knew that the unfortunates beginning their 20-30yrs jail terms were innocent!
The rest of this genuinely human drama, illustrates the grim reality endured by Gerry and Giuseppe Conlon, Paul Hill and Annie Maguire as they struggle to exist as innocent victims of the institutional corruption/incompetence, endemic throughout the British establishment of that time; which is the true villian of this hard-hitting and very relevant film. To my mind however the real culprits were not the Prison Guards, Police Officers/Chiefs etc.... pilloried; but the politicians who's failure to take the hard decision's needed; enabled this situation amongst others, to get out of hand in the first place.
While serving in the British Army during this period, I was told that the IRA's total combat strength was less than three hundred men, with the individuals, their ranks, addresses, 'service' records and very much more, all being well known to British Intelligence. Had fifty or so of their best organisers, fundraisers, bombers, snipers and knee-cappers been 'taken out' in the weeks/months following the first bombings; Belfast alone would have been spared more than 20yrs of atrocity and fear, 3,000 deaths, and innumerably more injured/maimed. Similarly, gross travesties of justice such as the incident depicted in this film, would not have occured. I unreservedly recommend this film to any who wish to understand the reality behind the tragic headlines which so often fill our TV News.In The Name Of The Father [DVD] [1994]
Knowing 'those responsible' have almost certainly left the country, but fearing widespread anti-Irish riots; these same 'respect for justice' politicians have no hesitation in 'secretly' bringing massive pressure(promotion, pensions etc...) on police forces to apprehend 'those responsible'. In blind desperation, the police trawl the area, find a few faces that will 'fit' and manufacture a case against them. A show trial is organized. As the felons are dispatched to prison, an exultant media spotlights those involved, the career prospects of whom are enhanced! These senior political, police and media figures involved however; mostly knew that the unfortunates beginning their 20-30yrs jail terms were innocent!
The rest of this genuinely human drama, illustrates the grim reality endured by Gerry and Giuseppe Conlon, Paul Hill and Annie Maguire as they struggle to exist as innocent victims of the institutional corruption/incompetence, endemic throughout the British establishment of that time; which is the true villian of this hard-hitting and very relevant film. To my mind however the real culprits were not the Prison Guards, Police Officers/Chiefs etc.... pilloried; but the politicians who's failure to take the hard decision's needed; enabled this situation amongst others, to get out of hand in the first place.
While serving in the British Army during this period, I was told that the IRA's total combat strength was less than three hundred men, with the individuals, their ranks, addresses, 'service' records and very much more, all being well known to British Intelligence. Had fifty or so of their best organisers, fundraisers, bombers, snipers and knee-cappers been 'taken out' in the weeks/months following the first bombings; Belfast alone would have been spared more than 20yrs of atrocity and fear, 3,000 deaths, and innumerably more injured/maimed. Similarly, gross travesties of justice such as the incident depicted in this film, would not have occured. I unreservedly recommend this film to any who wish to understand the reality behind the tragic headlines which so often fill our TV News.In The Name Of The Father [DVD] [1994]
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
In the Name Of The Father
Incredible film, a must see in my opinion. Amazing should you be in the wrong place at the wrong time what authorities can do. Get a copy
Published 2 months ago by nixon2
Daniel Day Lewis at his best
SAFE READING - NO SPOILERS
Other reviewers have gone into great detail of the plot and there is no need for me to duplicate information. Read more
Other reviewers have gone into great detail of the plot and there is no need for me to duplicate information. Read more
Published 6 months ago by RR Waller
A travesty of justice
The sheer desperation of British police to have people in jail for the Guildford bombing led to some desperate measures. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Michael White
Day Lewis and Postlehwaite are amazing
In this true story of the wrongful conviction of Gerry Conlon and Giusuppe Conlon as part of the Guilford four bombers both Daniel Day Lewis and Pete Postlehwaite are excellent. Read more
Published 13 months ago by ekb
Stunning Performances unforgettable history
I read the book and watched the film years ago and was really moved and shocked by this true story. After the actor Pete Postlethwaite died i thought i'd watch it again for his... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Winnie
acting at its best
The film is highly evocative of the time.The acting is exceptional.It is written incisively and directed with honesty and sympathy. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. S. C. Jones
Absolutely fantastic
This fact-based film about the "Guildford Four" was in my opinion very well-written with superb performances from Daniel Day-Lewis and many others. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. A. J. Tennant
What British Justice?
Extremely well done, harrowing and disturbing. British Justice is supposed to be fair, police are supposed to be honest (as are politicians, so that puts a dent in that theory... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Peter E. Bradley
a movie to watch
Anyone willing to know more about Irish history should see that movie. A film to watch, relating the true story of the "Guildford four". Read more
Published 22 months ago by Luciole
In the Name of the Father
Amazing movie! Have seen it numerous times and it never fails to move me. I show this every year to my Law students and it always provokes an excellent debate. Read more
Published 23 months ago by K. Hudson
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