Murder in the First

1/20/19952h 2m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ The trial that brought down Alcatraz ~

Overview:

A young, inexperienced public defender is assigned to defend an inmate accused of committing murder while behind bars.

Director:

Marc Rocco

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$20,000,000.00

Revenue:

$29,500,000.00

Key words:

prison
prisoner
death row
alcatraz prison
lawyer
courtroom
murder trial
1940s
mistreatment
public defender
prisoner abuse

Cast

Christian Slater

~ as ~

James Stamphill

Kevin Bacon

~ as ~

Henri Young

Gary Oldman

~ as ~

Glenn

Embeth Davidtz

~ as ~

Mary McCasslin

William H. Macy

~ as ~

Bill McNeill

Stephen Tobolowsky

~ as ~

Mr. Henkin

Brad Dourif

~ as ~

Byron Stamphill

Kyra Sedgwick

~ as ~

Blanche

Mia Kirshner

~ as ~

Rosetta Young

R. Lee Ermey

~ as ~

Judge Clawson

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

Wuchak
Written 3 year(s) ago
6
Life on Alcatraz in the 30s and early 40s

A young lawyer (Christian Slater) defends an inmate of Alcatraz (Kevin Bacon) accused of murder in 1941, but argues that the cruel treatment in the notorious prison is what drove him to it. Gary Oldman plays the heartless Warden (technically associate Warden) while R. Lee Ermey is on hand as the judge.

"Murder in the First" (1995) is a prison/courtroom drama that says its “inspired by true events,” which means it’s NOT a biography of the real Henri Young, but rather uses Young’s basic story as a microcosm for unveiling several of Alcatraz’ dubious and inhumane doings during the 30s. Look up the real history after viewing the movie, yet not just Young’s story and the trial, but also the ‘Dungeon’ and how prisoners were treated in solitary confinement during the early years of that infamous ‘Rock.’

The movie successfully brings the viewer back to the 30s and early 40s, but the filmmakers laid it on too thick in regards to how ee-vil the prison authorities are, not to mention how supposedly innocent Young is (he wasn't), which smacks of agenda. But, like I said, Young represented several issues/cases at Alcatraz, so it can be overlooked.

Nevertheless, this is cut from the same cloth as “The Shawshank Redemption,” the surprise hit from a year earlier (not that it was a hit at first, but it eventually became one). I’m not saying “Murder in the First” is as good but, if you liked “Shawshank,” you’ll probably appreciate it.

Embeth Davidtz, Kyra Sedgwick and Mia Kirshner show up on the feminine front. Davidtz really shines in the biggest role of the three.

The film runs 2 hours, 2 minutes, and was shot in San Francisco & Alcatraz Island with the courtroom scenes done at Triscenic Production Services Inc. in Los Angeles area.

GRADE: B-