My favorite political films are those that depict Ireland's resistance against Britain. Among these, there are four movies I highly recommend: "In the Name of the Father," which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival; "Michael Collins," which was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival; "Bloody Sunday," which received the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival; and "The Wind That Shakes the Barley," which took home the Palme d'Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival. This string of awards highlights the high quality of films in this genre or suggests that this subject matter resonates well with festival judges and audiences.
"In the Name of the Father" is set in the 1970s and tells the story of Gerry Conlon, a small-time troublemaker from Belfast, Northern Ireland. Constantly causing problems, Gerry almost gets killed by the IRA (Irish Republican Army). To save his future, Gerry’s father sends him to London. However, once in London, Gerry is arrested by British police due to the notorious Guildford pub bombings carried out by the IRA. The British police brutally torture Gerry and his companions, forcing them to falsely confess to the Guildford bombing. As a result, Gerry and others are sentenced to thirty years in prison. His father and aunt’s family are also implicated and imprisoned.
In prison, Gerry meets one of the true perpetrators of the Guildford bombing — an IRA leader. Together with him, Gerry initiates violent resistance inside the prison. But due to the cruelty of the IRA member and the worsening health of his father, Gerry abandons violent resistance. With the help of a highly principled British lawyer, Gerry begins to appeal his case through legal channels. Supported by substantial evidence, Gerry and his companions are eventually exonerated. By then, however, his father has already passed away, still bearing the stigma of guilt, while the police who abused their power faced no consequences.
This film vividly illustrates how public opinion in Britain can significantly influence judicial outcomes. After the Guildford bombing, to appease the public's intense desire for revenge, the British police coerced confessions from suspects using their authority. Similarly, the jury members were clearly influenced by public sentiment, ignoring numerous doubts about the case and unanimously declaring the suspects guilty. The judge even expressed regret that the defendants were not found guilty of treason and hanged, stating he would have done so without hesitation. After Gerry had been in prison for over a decade, thanks to his father's continuous letter-writing appeals and the lawyer's tireless efforts outside, public opinion began to shift, believing Gerry and others were wrongfully convicted. This reversal undoubtedly greatly aided the lawyer in gathering evidence and gaining cooperation from relevant authorities.
In democratic countries like Britain, strong expressions of public opinion often play a crucial role in political events. In the movie "The Queen," the public mourning of Princess Diana and the subsequent questioning of the royal family, combined with media influence, ultimately forced the Queen to return to London, deliver a long-overdue statement, and hold a grand funeral for Diana.