In the Name of the Father
Young Belfastian Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day-Lewis) admits that he was in London at the time of the incident. He also admits that he is not a model citizen, having committed a petty robbery while in London. He does however profess his innocence when it comes to the bombing of the Guildford Pub in London in 1974, the event which killed several people inside. A self-professed non-political person, he and his three co-accused, dubbed the Guildford Four, are thought to be provisional members of the I.R.A. Their self-professed innocence is despite each having signed a statement of guilt which they claim were signed under duress. Their case includes having provable alibis for the time frame of the bombing. And eventually, Joe McAndrew (Don Baker), a known I.R.A. member, admits to the bombing. Dubbed the Maguire Seven, seven others, primarily members of Gerry's extended family including his father Giuseppe (Pete Postlethwaite), are accused of being accessories to the bombing. Following on the work initiated by Giuseppe, Gerry works on a campaign to prove their collective innocence, this work with the assistance of compassionate lawyer Gareth Peirce (Dame Emma Thompson). As Gareth works on this campaign, she is faced with obstacle after obstacle placed by Robert Dixon (Corin Redgrave), who led the initial investigation and questioning of the four accused on behalf of the Police.
Despite its limited budget of $13.0M, In the Name of the Father became a box office success, earning $65.8M worldwide—a 406% return. The film's fresh perspective connected with viewers, demonstrating that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 7 Oscars. 7 wins & 41 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
In the Name of the Father (1993) showcases strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of Jim Sheridan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 13-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 13 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 3.3, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 2 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Belfast, 1974: Gerry Conlon is a petty thief and troublemaker living in his working-class neighborhood, stealing scrap metal and clashing with the IRA. His reckless lifestyle shows a young man without direction or purpose, frustrating his father Giuseppe.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when After the IRA threatens to shoot Gerry for his petty crimes, Giuseppe forces him to leave Belfast for London to avoid violence. This disruption removes Gerry from his familiar world and sets the tragic events in motion.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 29 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Gerry is arrested by British police and accused of the Guildford pub bombing. Under duress and torture, he signs a false confession. This forced "choice" (though coerced) irreversibly thrusts him into a nightmare world of injustice., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Giuseppe and Gerry have a powerful confrontation where Giuseppe's moral authority and suffering begin to break through Gerry's defenses. Gerry realizes his father is innocent and dying, raising the stakes for justice. This is a false defeat—they seem hopelessly trapped., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 87 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Giuseppe Conlon dies in prison, never seeing justice or freedom. This literal death represents the murder of innocence by the system. Gerry is devastated, having finally understood his father's worth too late., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 94 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 71% of the runtime. The final courtroom battle where Gareth Peirce exposes the police corruption and suppressed evidence. Gerry, now transformed by his father's example, stands as a dignified man demanding justice. The truth finally prevails in court., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
In the Name of the Father's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 13 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping In the Name of the Father against these established plot points, we can identify how Jim Sheridan utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish In the Name of the Father within the biography genre.
Jim Sheridan's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Jim Sheridan films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. In the Name of the Father takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Jim Sheridan filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional biography films include Lords of Dogtown, Ip Man 2 and A Complete Unknown. For more Jim Sheridan analyses, see Get Rich or Die Tryin', Brothers and Dream House.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Belfast, 1974: Gerry Conlon is a petty thief and troublemaker living in his working-class neighborhood, stealing scrap metal and clashing with the IRA. His reckless lifestyle shows a young man without direction or purpose, frustrating his father Giuseppe.
Theme
Giuseppe Conlon tells Gerry: "I'm a law-abiding man. I've never done anything wrong in my life." This statement establishes the film's central theme about innocence, justice, and the relationship between truth and the legal system.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Gerry's troubled life in Belfast during the Troubles, his strained relationship with his disappointed father Giuseppe, the dangerous IRA presence in the neighborhood, and the tense political climate that will frame the entire story.
Disruption
After the IRA threatens to shoot Gerry for his petty crimes, Giuseppe forces him to leave Belfast for London to avoid violence. This disruption removes Gerry from his familiar world and sets the tragic events in motion.
Resistance
Gerry arrives in London, squats in a hippie commune, lives aimlessly, and is in Guildford on the night of the pub bombing. He returns to Belfast, unaware that his life is about to be destroyed. This period shows his resistance to responsibility and maturity.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gerry is arrested by British police and accused of the Guildford pub bombing. Under duress and torture, he signs a false confession. This forced "choice" (though coerced) irreversibly thrusts him into a nightmare world of injustice.
Mirror World
Giuseppe Conlon is also arrested and imprisoned, accused of being part of the conspiracy. The father-son relationship becomes the emotional and thematic core—Giuseppe represents integrity and truth in contrast to Gerry's former recklessness.
Premise
Gerry and the Guildford Four are sentenced to life in prison. In prison, Gerry experiences rage, despair, and conflict with his father. Giuseppe maintains his dignity and teaches Gerry about integrity, while Gerry gradually begins to mature through their relationship.
Midpoint
Giuseppe and Gerry have a powerful confrontation where Giuseppe's moral authority and suffering begin to break through Gerry's defenses. Gerry realizes his father is innocent and dying, raising the stakes for justice. This is a false defeat—they seem hopelessly trapped.
Opposition
Giuseppe's health deteriorates in prison while he fights for their freedom. Lawyer Gareth Peirce begins investigating their case and discovers evidence of police misconduct. The legal system continues to deny appeals while Giuseppe grows weaker.
Collapse
Giuseppe Conlon dies in prison, never seeing justice or freedom. This literal death represents the murder of innocence by the system. Gerry is devastated, having finally understood his father's worth too late.
Crisis
Gerry grieves his father's death and processes the injustice. In his darkest moment, he must find the strength to honor Giuseppe's memory by continuing the fight for truth that his father embodied.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
The final courtroom battle where Gareth Peirce exposes the police corruption and suppressed evidence. Gerry, now transformed by his father's example, stands as a dignified man demanding justice. The truth finally prevails in court.