On October 12, 1984 an explosion killed five people. The IRA were responsible for the bomb that was placed in the Grand Hotel in Brighton where conservatives were holding a political convention.

Tory parliament member Sir Anthony George Berry was among those killed in the blast. Soon after his death, Berry's daughter Jo became convinced that she should meet her father's assassin. She hoped it would help her deal with the loss and keep her from becoming bitter. 16 years after the attack, she meets with IRA member Patrick Magee. FACING THE ENEMY documents this admirable willingness to initiate and participate in a peace process.