In the Name of the Father

In Belfast, Gerry Conlon is mistaken for an IRA sniper by British security forces. The misidentification triggers a dangerous sequence that entangles his entire family in fear and pressure to prove his innocence. The family—Mother Denise Weinberg and Father Elias Andreato—face mounting worry as the state closes in.

To prevent an IRA reprisal against him, Gerry is sent to London by his father Giuseppe. The move marks a turning point as he leaves Belfast behind and enters a system that will complicate his life. The distance from home foreshadows the political pressures that will dominate the coming months.

While in London, Gerry robs a prostitute’s flat and steals £700, an act that becomes a catalyst for the police investigation that will ensnare him. He then spends time with his friend Paul Hill in a park alongside the homeless Irishman Charlie Burke, deepening the sense of precariousness around his situation. The incident intertwines with the state's crackdown, shaping how events are later framed.

Shortly after, an explosion in Guildford devastates lives and injures many, a violent event that the authorities will later use to justify suspicions against Gerry and his circle. The attack triggers widespread fear and intensifies the political pressure on the Conlon family. The network of events ties Gerry’s supposed guilt to a high-profile act of terrorism.

Gerry returns to Belfast only to be swiftly captured by the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. He is charged with terrorism and moved into a system designed to extract confessions through coercive means. The charges set the stage for a long, brutal legal process.

Gerry is flown to England where he, Paul Hill, and two others are branded as the Guildford Four. They undergo brutal interrogation methods that amount to police torture. Despite pleading innocence, fear for his family makes him sign a confession under duress.

As the case unfolds, Gerry’s father Giuseppe is arrested, along with other Conlon family members, who are later grouped under the Maguire Seven label. The extended family becomes entangled in a state-driven effort to lock away the supposed terrorists. The atmosphere of suspicion casts a pall over the entire family.

At the trial, the defense highlights inconsistencies in the police investigation, but Gerry and the others are handed life sentences. The courtroom process presents a stark example of state power overshadowing truth. The outcomes cement the injustice that will take years to unravel.

While incarcerated, Gerry meets Joe McAndrew, who reveals he was the actual bomber and had confessed to the police. The authorities suppressed this information to protect their narrative. Joe's revelation changes Gerry’s perspective, but the prison environment remains volatile.

Giuseppe Conlon dies in custody from tuberculosis, a blow to Gerry who carries his father's fight for justice. Gerry resolves to pursue the truth and clear his name, despite ongoing oppression. The loss deepens the personal stakes of the legal battle.

Gareth Peirce, Giuseppe’s lawyer, reopens the investigation and uncovers vital evidence relating to Gerry’s alibi. A note indicates not to be shown to the defence, suggesting the authorities tampered with the case. The revelation casts doubt on the original proceedings and fuels the push for an appeal.

A court appeal backed by the new evidence exonerates Gerry and the others, with testimony from Charlie Burke supporting Gerry’s alibi. The ruling reveals the flaws in the original investigation and marks a long-sought victory after years of wrongful imprisonment. The verdict underscores the deep scars left by a miscarried justice system.

The film notes that the police involved in the investigation were never prosecuted. Giuseppe is buried in Milltown Cemetery in Belfast, symbolizing the family’s enduring loss. It also states that the real perpetrators of the Guildford bombing have never been charged.

The ending emphasizes that those wrongly accused continue to fight to clear their names. Gerry’s struggle serves as a cautionary tale about political fear and the abuse of state power, urging vigilance to protect civil liberties.