Murder in the First (1995)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Marc Rocco

Writer (WGA):

Dan Gordon (written by)

Release Date:

20 January 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

They locked him up. They crushed his spirit. But they couldn't hide the truth.

Plot:

An eager and idealistic young attorney defends an Alcatraz prisoner accused of murdering a fellow inmate. The extenuating circumstances: his client had just spent over three years in solitary confinement.

Plot Keywords:

Alcatraz | Dungeon | Rookie | 1930s | Murder

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Christian Slater	...	James Stamphill
Kevin Bacon	...	Henri Young
Gary Oldman	...	Milton Glenn
Embeth Davidtz	...	Mary McCasslin
William H. Macy	...	D.A. William McNeil
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Mr. Henkin
Brad Dourif	...	Byron Stamphill
R. Lee Ermey	...	Judge Clawson
Mia Kirshner	...	Adult Rosetta Young
Ben Slack	...	Jerry Hoolihan
Stefan Gierasch	...	Warden James Humson
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Blanche, Hooker
Alex Bookston	...	Alcatraz Doc (as Alexander Bookston)
Richie Allan	...	Jury Foreman
Herb Ritts	...	Mike Kelly

Also Known As:

Meurtre à Alcatraz (France)

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Argentina:18 | Iceland:12 | Iceland:16 (video rating) | Canada:14+ (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Canada:14A (TV rating) | Australia:MA | Germany:16 (bw) | Portugal:M/16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | France:-12

Filming Locations:

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Blanche, the prostitute that James Stamphill brings to visit Henri Young (Kevin Bacon) in prison, is played by Kyra Sedgwick who was (and still is) Kevin Bacon's real-life wife.

Goofs:

Continuity: The position of the spoon in Henri's hand changes while he's at the table just before murdering Rufus.

Quotes:

James Stamphill: Did you kill Rufus McCain?
Henri Young: I was the weapon, but I ain't no killer.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)

Soundtrack:

Tuxedo Junction

One Of The Best Performances Of The Decade

How Kevin Bacon didn't get an Oscar, let alone a nomination is beyond me. What is wrong the the Academy? it was a better performance than Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump, I was moved to tears by the man, it's a heartbreaking performance. He should have been nominated for 'The Woodsman' as well. Great actor. But i have to say it's not an easy watch, and the violence is relentless, it reminds me of the time i once witnessed a boy get bullied at school, it just never ended and i remember feeling awful for the poor chap, the fact that it's a true story just makes me shudder. Gary Oldman gives one of the most hateful performances i've ever seen while Slater shows depth as the lawyer trying to get him out of prison as early as possible.