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 attracted moviegoers, showing 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) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Jim Sheridan's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-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.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Gerry Conlon
Giuseppe Conlon
Gareth Peirce
Sarah Conlon
Paul Hill
Joe McAndrew
Detective Robert Dixon
Main Cast & Characters
Gerry Conlon
Played by Daniel Day-Lewis
A petty thief from Belfast wrongly convicted of an IRA bombing, who transforms from reckless youth to determined fighter for justice during 15 years of imprisonment.
Giuseppe Conlon
Played by Pete Postlethwaite
Gerry's father, a dignified and principled man who is also wrongly convicted and maintains his integrity despite brutal treatment in prison.
Gareth Peirce
Played by Emma Thompson
A determined solicitor who takes on the Guildford Four case and relentlessly pursues the truth to expose the miscarriage of justice.
Sarah Conlon
Played by Fionnula Flanagan
Gerry's mother, a strong Belfast woman who fights tirelessly for her son and husband's freedom while holding the family together.
Paul Hill
Played by John Lynch
One of the Guildford Four, Gerry's friend who is also wrongly convicted and endures the same injustice.
Joe McAndrew
Played by Don Baker
An actual IRA bomber imprisoned with Gerry, who becomes an unlikely mentor figure and helps Gerry understand political reality.
Detective Robert Dixon
Played by Corin Redgrave
The lead police investigator who coerces false confessions through intimidation and fabricates evidence to secure convictions.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Belfast 1974: Gerry Conlon is a reckless petty thief whose antics on rooftops during an IRA riot endanger his community. He's confronted by the IRA, revealing his chaotic, aimless existence that brings shame to his father Giuseppe.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when The Guildford pub bombing kills five people. Though Gerry is innocent and was robbing a prostitute's client at the time, the IRA attack will soon destroy his life as police seek scapegoats among the Irish community.. At 11% 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 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Gerry, Giuseppe, and the others are convicted in a show trial. Gerry receives life imprisonment for murders he didn't commit. The courtroom erupts as he screams his innocence, but he is dragged away to begin his sentence—entering his new, nightmarish world., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 45% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Notably, this crucial beat Joe McAndrew, the actual IRA bomber, is transferred to their prison and confesses to Gerry that he did the Guildford bombing. When McAndrew tells authorities the truth, they bury the confession. The false defeat: proof of innocence exists but the system actively suppresses it., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 89 minutes (67% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Giuseppe dies in prison, never having seen justice or freedom. Gerry holds his dying father, who tells him not to become bitter. The death of his innocent father—the whiff of death made devastatingly literal—represents the ultimate cost of institutional injustice., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 95 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. Gareth Peirce discovers the hidden police file proving the alibi evidence was suppressed. Armed with proof of the conspiracy, Gerry channels his grief into renewed determination to clear his father's name, choosing justice over vengeance as Giuseppe taught him., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
In the Name of the Father's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 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 After Thomas, Taking Woodstock and The Fire Inside. For more Jim Sheridan analyses, see Dream House, Get Rich or Die Tryin' and In America.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Belfast 1974: Gerry Conlon is a reckless petty thief whose antics on rooftops during an IRA riot endanger his community. He's confronted by the IRA, revealing his chaotic, aimless existence that brings shame to his father Giuseppe.
Theme
Giuseppe tells Gerry before sending him to England: "I'll be praying for you, son." His father's unwavering faith and love, despite Gerry's failures, establishes the theme that a father's belief can redeem even the most wayward son.
Worldbuilding
We see Gerry's troubled life in Belfast during The Troubles, his strained relationship with Giuseppe, his mother's worry, and his journey to London where he falls into a squatter community with Paul Hill. His carefree hedonism is established.
Disruption
The Guildford pub bombing kills five people. Though Gerry is innocent and was robbing a prostitute's client at the time, the IRA attack will soon destroy his life as police seek scapegoats among the Irish community.
Resistance
Gerry returns to Belfast flush with stolen money. British police arrest him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He endures brutal interrogation and torture, eventually signing a false confession. Giuseppe travels to London to help but is himself arrested along with other family members.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gerry, Giuseppe, and the others are convicted in a show trial. Gerry receives life imprisonment for murders he didn't commit. The courtroom erupts as he screams his innocence, but he is dragged away to begin his sentence—entering his new, nightmarish world.
Mirror World
Giuseppe is placed in the same cell as Gerry in prison. Though Gerry initially resents this, his father's quiet dignity, faith, and determination to prove their innocence through proper legal channels becomes the moral compass Gerry desperately needs.
Premise
Life in prison with Giuseppe. Gerry rebels against his father's patient approach, falling into drugs and anger. Giuseppe writes letters, files appeals, and maintains hope. The contrast between father and son's responses to injustice deepens their relationship and the thematic exploration.
Midpoint
Joe McAndrew, the actual IRA bomber, is transferred to their prison and confesses to Gerry that he did the Guildford bombing. When McAndrew tells authorities the truth, they bury the confession. The false defeat: proof of innocence exists but the system actively suppresses it.
Opposition
Gerry transforms, finally understanding his father's wisdom. He stops using drugs and joins Giuseppe's fight. Lawyer Gareth Peirce takes their case and begins uncovering police corruption. But Giuseppe's health deteriorates rapidly from the prison conditions.
Collapse
Giuseppe dies in prison, never having seen justice or freedom. Gerry holds his dying father, who tells him not to become bitter. The death of his innocent father—the whiff of death made devastatingly literal—represents the ultimate cost of institutional injustice.
Crisis
Gerry is consumed by grief and rage. He sets fire to his cell in anguish. In the dark night of his soul, he must decide whether to honor his father's dying wish—to fight without hatred—or surrender to bitterness and violence.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Gareth Peirce discovers the hidden police file proving the alibi evidence was suppressed. Armed with proof of the conspiracy, Gerry channels his grief into renewed determination to clear his father's name, choosing justice over vengeance as Giuseppe taught him.
Synthesis
The appeal hearing exposes the police fabrication and suppression of evidence. Gareth Peirce dismantles the prosecution's case. The judge quashes the convictions. Gerry walks free after fifteen years, vindicated but forever changed by his father's sacrifice.
Transformation
Gerry emerges from the courthouse to cheering supporters, declaring "I am an innocent man!" In contrast to the reckless thief of the opening, he is now a man of purpose and dignity—his father's true son—who will spend his life fighting for justice in Giuseppe's name.