Christian Slater

Kevin Bacon

Gary Oldman

Embeth Davidtz

William H. Macy

Stephen Tobolowsky

Brad Dourif

Kyra Sedgwick

Mia Kirshner

R. Lee Ermey

Stefan Gierasch

Mary Mackey

Gary Ballard

Richie Allan

Ben Slack

Alex Bookston

Herb Ritts

Charles Boswell

Tony Barr

Stuart Nisbet

Marc Rocco

Dan Gordon

Russell Livingstone

Fred Murphy

Christopher Young

Doug Coleman

Marc Frydman

Deborah Lee

Philip McKeon

David L. Wolper

Mark Wolper

Mary Jo Slater

Kirk M. Petruccelli

Michael Rizzo

Greg J. Grande

Sylvia Vega-Vasquez

Daniel W. Barringer

Crime

Drama

Murder in the First

Wolper Organization

Warner Bros. Pictures

Le Studio Canal+

France

United States of America

_**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-

English

Trailer