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Le Studio Canal+
Warner Bros. Pictures
Not part of a collection.
The trial that brought down Alcatraz.
A young, inexperienced public defender is assigned to defend an inmate accused of committing murder while behind bars.
Wuchak
Aug 30, 2021 · via TMDB
_**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-
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Christian Slater
James Stamphill
Kevin Bacon
Henri Young
Gary Oldman
Associate Milton Glenn
Embeth Davidtz
Mary McCasslin
William H. Macy
Bill McNeill
Stephen Tobolowsky
Mr. Henkin
Brad Dourif
Byron Stamphill
Kyra Sedgwick
Blanche
Mia Kirshner
Rosetta Young
R. Lee Ermey
Judge Clawson
Stefan Gierasch
Warden James Humson
Mary Mackey
Prison Guard's Wife
Gary Ballard
Alcatraz Guard Swenson
Richie Allan
Jury Foreman
Ben Slack
Jerry Hoolihan
Herb Ritts
Mike Kelly
Charles Boswell
Simpson
Stuart Nisbet
Harve
Neil Summers
Alcatraz Guard Whitney
Sonny King
Alcatraz Guard Wimer
Doug Coleman
Stunt Coordinator
Marc Rocco
Director
Philip McKeon
Associate Producer
Mary Jo Slater
Casting Director
David L. Wolper
Executive Producer
Marc Rocco
Executive Producer
Marc Frydman
Producer
Christopher Young
Original Music Composer
Dan Gordon
Screenplay
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Jan 20, 1995
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Bicara Cinta
2020
The Pied Pipers of Harlow
1965
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
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Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
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2008 · 14 wins
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1978 · 13 wins
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2000 · 12 wins
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1981 · 11 wins
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