CrimeDrama

Murder in the First

- The trial that brought down Alcatraz

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

Release Date : 1995-01-20

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Wolper OrganizationWarner Bros. PicturesLe Studio Canal+

Production Country : FranceUnited States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : James Stamphill

Original Name : Christian Slater

Gender : Male

Character Name : Henri Young

Original Name : Kevin Bacon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Glenn

Original Name : Gary Oldman

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mary McCasslin

Original Name : Embeth Davidtz

Gender : Female

Character Name : Bill McNeill

Original Name : William H. Macy

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mr. Henkin

Original Name : Stephen Tobolowsky

Gender : Male

Character Name : Byron Stamphill

Original Name : Brad Dourif

Gender : Male

Character Name : Blanche

Original Name : Kyra Sedgwick

Gender : Female

Character Name : Rosetta Young

Original Name : Mia Kirshner

Gender : Female

Character Name : Judge Clawson

Original Name : R. Lee Ermey

Gender : Male

Character Name : Warden James Humson

Original Name : Stefan Gierasch

Gender : Male

Character Name : Prison Guard's Wife

Original Name : Mary Mackey

Gender : Female

Character Name : Alcatraz Guard Swenson

Original Name : Gary Ballard

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jury Foreman

Original Name : Richie Allan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jerry Hoolihan

Original Name : Ben Slack

Gender : Male

Character Name : Alcatraz Doc

Original Name : Alex Bookston

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mike Kelly

Original Name : Herb Ritts

Gender : Male

Character Name : Simpson

Original Name : Charles Boswell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Winthrop

Original Name : Tony Barr

Gender : Male

Character Name : Harve

Original Name : Stuart Nisbet

Gender : Male

Reviews

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2022-04-12

_**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-