$9.99  The Boxer (Collector's Edition) - DVD |
$15.98  Michael Collins - DVD |
$17.99  Bloody Sunday - DVD |
$13.48  The Field - DVD |
$9.98  Waking Ned Devine - DVD |
 [Larger view] | In the Name of the Father
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| FIND A DULL MOMENT IN THIS TERRIFIC DRAMA! | |
| During a spate of IRA-triggered bombings in the early 1970s in the UK, the beleaguered British government created a haphazard "Prevention of Terrorism Act" which allowed the arrest of any individual on the flimsiest of suspicions.
When explosions rocked two pubs in Guildford (London?) a group of four Irish junkies -- Gerry Conlon (Daniel Day Lewis) and three others -- were wrongfully arrested in what we are led to believe was a miscarriage of justice. The movie is based on Gerry's memoirs, so it cannot be passed off as impeccably "factual" but if some memories have been bent into formulaic shape for entertainment purposes, the truth still remains: these people were not murdering masterminds. There are really two stories working in the film: (1) The steamrolling of the "Guildford Four" by the British government; and (2) The atavistic relationship between Gerry and his father Guiseppe while the two were in prison Each of these stories would have made a taut and fascinating film by itself, but combined they're an incredible force. Gerry's interrogation is an immemorable moment in cinematic history, including disconcerting scenes of police officials watching the torture in silence. The film doesn't let up for a moment. The courtroom drama is clearly peripheral to the theme, but it provides some of the film's most nailbiting moments. A few bits in the latter half of the movie may seem a bit redundant (similar things happening over and over again in prison) all that is obscured by the sheer screen presence of Daniel Day Lewis. In fact, the only time you are not riveted by the all-round powerhouse acting is when U2's poignant background score has taken center stage. An absolute must for fans of political films, and a terrific drama for the rest of us. Highly recommended. | |
| The IRA Trilogy. | |
| Three films that stand out in terms of explaining the movement of the Irish Republican Army are Michael Collins, Bloody Sunday and The Name of the Father, viewed in that order. Michael Collins explains the 1916 Irish Rising against British rule and the subsequent assassination of Collins for making a deal with the British to allow them to keep the North, a problem that still exists to this day, albeit calmed down somewhat because of the peace agreements. Bloody Sunday is about the armed assault by British Paratroopers that shot up a catholic peace protest in 1972. It is like watching Saving Private Ryan in the streets. That court case is still ongoing today. The Name of the Father is in Britain and is worth seeing again because of new events.
In 2005 The Prime Minister apologised for one of the worst miscarriages of British justice - the jailing those accused of the Guilford IRA bombings. This film is about what happened. Eleven people sent to prison over the attacks in Guildford and Woolwich in 1974. They were subject to such a horrific political ordeal and a deep miscarriage of injustice. The wrongly convicted were members and friends of two Irish families living in the UK at the time - the Conlons and Maguires. Although the Conlon father and son never did meet in prison (like they do in the film) it is still pretty much an accurate portrayal or police brutality and the corruption of the justice system. In many ways the film has been deemed "inappropriate" along side other films such a "Bloody Sunday" because apparently they do not add anything of value to restoring peace, but the truth is that this kind of material has been censored in Ireland and the UK until the 1990s when for the first time the party of Sinn Fein was allowed a voice to represent Catholics in Northern Ireland - Jerry Adams was actually allowed to appear on the news and talk. The problem is that the government is not responsible for the courts which allowed people to be subjected to the kind of ordeal that these two families went through, scapegoats for a political body that wanted to keep censoring the full extent of the troubles in the North. This is a well-made movie with some great acting. Riveting stuff through and through and one of the best prison/court dramas who can get your hands on. In light of the Prime Minister's apology, this is work looking into again. | |
| Incandescent and savage film! | |
| The tension state and the indignation will involve you and all your senses with this unfair process when an innocent Joseph Condon and his father are blamed of a murder they did not commit .
based on real facts and designed with superb artistic and art direction and a kinetic script , the film is simply ravishing . Emma Thompsom makes an unforgettable role and Daniel Day Lewis confirming his masterful magnetism and his charismatic presence , and showing his Academy Award was not a random fact . Jim Sheridan has made until now a real masterpiece ; and the Hollywood attitude with this film was another unforgiven mistake . But the time which is the supreme judge will put in order that unhappy decision . Remember for instance , Citizen Kane against The grapes of wrath , Dr. Strangelove against My fair Lady or the Judgemnent at Nuremberg to name just a few . A classic film! |
