| “ | My name's Giuseppe Conlon, I'm an innocent man, so is my son. We shouldn't even be here. | „ |
| ~ Giuseppe Conlon |
Giuseppe Conlon is the secondary protagonist of the film In the Name of the Father. He is the father of Gerry Conlon, who are both convicted of conspiring to bomb the Guildford pub, and spends time in prison fighting to get out.
He is portrayed by the late Pete Postlethwaite, who also played Roland Tembo.
Biography[]
Giuseppe lived in Belfast during his son Gerry's early life, working as a teacher. He lived with his wife Sarah and his other two kids. Throughout Gerry's early life, the two had difficulties in their relationship, consequently leading to Gerry becoming a thief. One day, Giuseppe learns this the hard way as he rescues Gerry from IRA punishment, expressing that he has never had a thief in his family. He lectures Gerry about self-respect, before sending him off to London. His last word of advice before saying goodbye is "honest money goes further."
While Gerry is in London, the two rarely called each other, and Gerry would usually hang up the phone prematurely. Eventually after multiple bombings in London, Gerry returned home to Belfast. However, he is shortly captured by the British army due to false accusations of conspiring to bomb the Guildford pub. Giuseppe travels to London in an attempt to intervene, but gets arrested along with his sister-in-law Anne Maguire and everyone in her house. He is tortured and eventually meets his son in the same cell. Gerry has a mental breakdown, confronting his father over his perceived failure to parent him right; that their rough relationship caused him to become a thief. Giuseppe calms him down, assuring him that it is not his fault. They are briefly allowed to speak to Sarah and the children. Sarah confronts Gerry for getting themselves into trouble, but Giuseppe stands up for him, iterating that they have done nothing wrong.
Soon, they are taken to court. Gerry and his fellow Irish friends are branded as the Guildford Four, accused of carrying out the bombing. Giuseppe, Anne Maguire, and five other family members in London are branded as the Maguire Seven, accused of making the bomb and storing others. The British authorities had fabricated evidence beyond the confessions; they denied and covered up that they tortured the four, and withheld an alibi from Charlie Burke that proved where Gerry and Paul were located as the bomb went off. In addition, they also claim that the Maguire Seven tested positive when scanned for traces of nitroglycerin. Giuseppe is unimpressed at Gerry's behaviour in court, as he doesn't take the case seriously most of the time there, and learns that he committed a robbery in London. The verdict is in favor of the prosecution, and the Guildford Four are sentenced to serve a minimum of 30 years in prison. The Maguire Seven, including Giuseppe, are also sentenced.
Gerry and Giuseppe are sent to a maximum security prison, where they share a cell, and are forced to wear blue denim outfits with yellow stripes: inmates who have committed the most despicable of crimes. In prison, they are cast out by the majority of other prisoners who are English, forcing them to keep a low profile. Giuseppe remains optimistic on fighting for an appeal, but Gerry becomes complacent quickly, not wanting to learn anything about the British legal system. He befriends Benbay, a Jamaican inmate, and becomes part of his circle, and starts using drugs. Needless to say, Giuseppe condems Gerry for it, refusing to have a conversation with him, but Gerry gains his approval back by promising to stay away from the drugs.
Later on, another inmate joins the prison. Gerry learns that he is the true perpetrator of the Guildford pub bombing, whose name is Joe McAndrew. Similarly, Joe is ostracized by the British inmates, and Gerry joins his side when the inmates get into a brawl. Giuseppe tries to rescue Gerry as the two are beaten and moved into security. When they return, Gerry introduces McAndrew to Giuseppe, who admits his crimes, informing him that the police know the truth but want to avoid public embarassment. Giuseppe wants nothing to do with McAndrew due to his violent methods, and Gerry is angry at him for this, causing the strain in their relationship to be deepened further.
As Gerry and McAndrew stage a prison protest, Giuseppe vigourously discourages their actions, believing it will damage the legal campaign and correctly sensing it will end in violence. Shortly after, Chief Prison Officer Barker sends in a riot squad, and singles out Gerry, Giuseppe and McAndrew as the ring leaders, beating them and sending all inmates back to their cells by force. Soon after, Giuseppe's health begins to deteriorate to a point where he is unable to go up and down the stairs.
The protest gains media coverage, which attracts the attention of solicitor Gareth Peirce, who is interested in investigating the Conlons' case. Although Giuseppe is perfectly willing to work with her, Gerry is rather uncooperative due to his bad experience with lawyers. During Gerry's meeting with her, he expresses that he wants nothing to do with her, in spite of Giuseppe's deteriorating health, telling her not to give any false hope. As Giuseppe continues his campaign alone, McAndrew points out to Gerry that he's getting along with Barker, which Gerry is not concerned about.
During a film screening, Giuseppe watches from his cell and witnesses in horror as Joe McAndrew attempts to murder Barker by setting him on fire. Having finally witnessed McAndrew's violent methods firsthand, Gerry finally changes from his bitter ways and becomes more cooperative with his father. Joe is sent to another prison and put into solitary confinement, and Barker is maimed for life and replaced.
Gerry finally agrees to cooperate in the legal campaign to clear their names. Gareth Peirce tasks Gerry to write out his story in as much detail as possible, but feels better off recording his voice instead. Due to Giuseppe's health rapidly declining, Gerry starts to lead the campaign as he assists his father's treatment. They reminisce in a heart-to-heart conversation about Gerry's childhood, and Giuseppe expresses worry that he is dying, scared to leave his wife Sarah behind. Gerry unsuccessfully tries to reassure him that he is not dying, and Giuseppe has doubts in Gerry's capability to take care of his mother.
Not long after, during one night, Gerry hears that Giuseppe has stopped breathing. He briefly succeeds in waking him up but is still unable to breathe, and Gerry calls for medical help. Giuseppe is quickly taken to the hospital, and Gerry is not allowed to go with him. He dies in hospital, which Gerry learns an hour later. Gareth Peirce is upset about Giuseppe's death, and continues her part in the campaign, hosting protests with the slogan "Free The Four."
Giuseppe's death made Gerry more determined than ever to win in his court appeal. Throughout his remaining time in prison, Gerry would never stop thinking about his memories with him, to a point where he has a mental breakdown. Gerry's charges are eventually overturned, but the court failed to clear Giuseppe's name of any charges, which Gerry pledged to do upon taking his first steps outside.
Quotes[]
| “ | Giuseppe: I want you to have some respect. Gerry: Respect for who? Giuseppe: For yourself. |
„ |
| ~ Giuseppe and Gerry |
| “ | McAndrew: I’m the one who planted the Guildford bomb, Mr. Conlon. Giuseppe: Did you tell the police that? McAndrew: Yes I did. Giuseppe: Well we haven’t heard a thing. Gerry: Will you just, let's just see what he has to say, da. McAndrew: I told them, they know. They know the truth, but they can't afford to face it. It’s a war, you’re one of its innocent victims. I’m sorry for your trouble. Giuseppe: Don’t be sorry for us. You should be sorry for the people you killed. McAndrew: It was a military target: a soldier's pub. Giuseppe: They were innocent people. God's children. McAndrew: Look, I’ll do all I can to help you while you’re in here. Giuseppe: We don't need your help. I’d appreciate it if you'd leave us alone. McAndrew: Whatever you say. |
„ |
| ~ Giuseppe rejecting Joe McAndrew's help. |
| “ | Remember, honest money goes further. | „ |
| ~ Giuseppe leaving a final word of advice before sending Gerry to London. |
| “ | Can I not say a thing without you f**king contradicting me? I'm scared to leave your mother behind. | „ |
| ~ Giuseppe Conlon |
Gallery[]
