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Murder in the First (1995) Reviews

Murder in the First (1995)
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This shocking prison drama was inspired by a true story. In 1938, Henri Young (Kevin Bacon), sentenced to Alcatraz for stealing $5, attempted to escape from prison with three other prisoners. One of the escapees was captured, and to curry favor with Warden Glenn (Gary Oldman), he informed on the others. Young was soon brought back to custody, and was to be punished by spending 19 days in solitary confinement. Nineteen days stretched into three years, in which Young was kept in a pit with no light, no toilet, no furniture, and nothing to read. Young emerged from solitary a vengeful madman, and he quickly murdered the convict who turned him in. Young was put on trial for the killing, and assigned a first-time public defender, James Stamphill (Christian Slater). Stamphill was horrified by Young's tales of the conditions at Alcatraz, and he used them as the basis of his defense for his client, believing that anyone would be driven to madness and murder if they had been treated the same way as Young. Murder in the First also features Embeth Davidtz, William H. Macy, Brad Dourif, and R. Lee Ermey. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Christian Slater, Kevin Bacon, (more)
Director(s):
Marc Rocco
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Average Ratings

(31 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Walter A.

Very emotional and entertainging movie! Awesome Acing and I mean Absolutely Awesome! I did research on the Web about Young's time at Alcatraz only to find that the movie did not portray the actual Young. The movie character, Henri Young, bore little resemblance to the actual person. It is a highly fictionalized drama about an Alcatraz inmate who was not the "innocent" orphan abused by a prison system that was depicted in the movie. The actual Young was sent to Alcatraz for armed robbery (third offense) and for murdering a man. Stamphill in reality was not an attorney but was one of the prisoners who tried to escape with Young. Young had premeditated McCain's murder and stabbed him in the gut with a knife. All in all, apart from the deviation from the truth and Hollywood's romanticization of an Alcatraz inmate's life, this movie is quite well made and will keep you interested from the beginning through the end.

Yes   |   No


Mike R.

This movie is a little long but you will not regret watching it! It will move you like never before.

Yes   |   No


Deborah F.

Excellent movie! Held our interest, no time to take a snooze here. Kevin Bacon was terrific, as was Christian Slater! I liked that bit part with Kevin's wife, Kira!!

Yes   |   No


Christopher S.

Kevin Bacon is fantastic in this movie. Very emotional sequence at the end which while predictable is still worth waiting for.

Yes   |   No


Terrance M.

Well acted. Keven was at his best.

Yes   |   No


SUSAN S.

great movie, Bacon was superb.

Yes   |   No


J. B.

this is the best movies that shows how crookeed the justice system was and has been.

Yes   |   No


ROXANNE V.

excellent movie. very deep and sad.

Yes   |   No


Ben B.

A very well done movie, filled with a very intense and compelling subject.

Yes   |   No


Ana R.

I dont know, but maybe its just me. I thought this movie was boring. It put me to sleep.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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Member Reviews
Read all (31)
 
Walter A.

Very emotional and entertainging movie! Awesome Acing and I mean Absolutely Awesome! I did research on the Web about Young's time at Alcatraz only to find that the movie did not portray the actual Young. The movie character, Henri Young, bore little resemblance to the actual person. It is a highly fictionalized drama about an Alcatraz inmate who was not the "innocent" orphan abused by a prison system that was depicted in the movie. The actual Young was sent to Alcatraz for armed robbery (third offense) and for murdering a man. Stamphill in reality was not an attorney but was one of the prisoners who tried to escape with Young. Young had premeditated McCain's murder and stabbed him in the gut with a knife. All in all, apart from the deviation from the truth and Hollywood's romanticization of an Alcatraz inmate's life, this movie is quite well made and will keep you interested from the beginning through the end.

Yes   |   No

 
Mike R.

This movie is a little long but you will not regret watching it! It will move you like never before.

Yes   |   No

 
Deborah F.

Excellent movie! Held our interest, no time to take a snooze here. Kevin Bacon was terrific, as was Christian Slater! I liked that bit part with Kevin's wife, Kira!!

Yes   |   No

 
Read All 31 Reviews
 

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