Murder in the First (1994)
Average Rating: 5.5/10
Reviews Counted: 36
Fresh: 18 | Rotten: 18
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 4.7/10
Critic Reviews: 11
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 7
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 21,594
My Rating
Movie Info
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
Jun 1, 1994 Wide
Jun 22, 1999
Warner Bros. Pictures
Watch It Now
Cast
-
Christian Slater
James Stamphill -
Kevin Bacon
Henri Young -
Gary Oldman
Associate Warden Glenn -
Embeth Davidtz
Mary McCasslin -
William H. Macy
William McNeil -
Brad Dourif
Byron Stamphill -
R. Lee Ermey
Judge Clawson -
Gary Ballard
Alcatraz Guard Swenson -
Tony Barr
Winthrop -
Douglas Bennett
Inmate #3 -
Charles Boswell
Simpson -
Eddie Bowz
Alcatraz Guard -
Eve Brenner
Winthrop's Secretary -
Sheldon Feldner
Man on the Street -
Stefan Gierasch
Warden James Humson -
James Keane
Alcatraz Guard -
Mia Kirshner
Adult Rosetta Young -
Danny Kovacs
Man on the Street -
George Maguire (II)
Inmate #1 -
Michael Merrins
Alcatraz Guard -
Stuart Nisbet
Harve -
Randy Pelish
Alcatraz Guard Wimer -
Kyra Sedgwick
Blanche -
Ben Slack
Jerry Hoolihan -
Neil Summers
Alcatraz Guard Whitney -
Tim Winters
Alcatraz Guard -
Gary Lee Davis
Giant of a Man -
Stephen Tobolowsky
Mr. Henkin -
Michael Melvin
Inmate Arthur "Doc" Bar... -
Wally Rose
Shopkeeper -
William Hall
Man on the Street -
Rob Lee
Newsreel Reporter -
ADVERTISEMENT
All Critics (40) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (18) | DVD (1)
The figures are right, the investment looks good, but the emotional pay-off is minimal.
More than likely you will forgive the compromises -- the story of Henri Young needed to be told.
Woefully over-manipulative and over-the-top.
Regardless of how this version raises the hackles of Alcatraz aficionados, Marc Rocco's movie is a solid and affecting example of film making.
Slater, who in certain shots looks curiously like Kevin Costner, is an actor with talent, but he is too young for this role, and not confident enough to dial down a little.
An example of what happens when a picture has everything going for it except good writing and good direction.
Moving story of justice but too intense for kids.
A must see for Kevin Bacon's performance, especially in the early scenes.
It is Bacon's absolutely powerhouse performance that helps make 'Murder' one of the classic prison pictures of all time. (published 1-27-95)
Average thriller.
O roteiro maniqueísta e a direção pesada, nada sutil, de Rocco comprometem irremediavelmente o filme - que ainda conta com a atuação nada convincente de Slater.
An arbitrary by-the-numbers courtroom/crime yarn that sometimes shifts between being too preachy and pretentious.
Audience Reviews for Murder in the First
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
-
- Henri Young: You don't know what you're talking about, because you don't know what it's like!
- James Stamphill: What's like?
- Henri Young: Alcatraz! I mean where do you think they're going send me those ten years they're talking about!They're going to send me back to Alcatraz those ten years they're talking about!
- James Stamphill: Henry, when it's over you'll be alive! You'll be able to take care of your sister..
- Henri Young: I'm the one that's got to do the time, not you! And I can't do it! I can't! It's not worth it!
-
- Henri Young: I spent three Goddamn years in the dark thinking. I hate thinking!
-
- Associate Warden Glenn: Henry, I have a job to do here at Alcatraz. Do you know what that is? To protect you from yourself.
-
- James Stamphill: The federal guideline regarding solitary confinements states that the maximum stay for an inmate shall not exceed nineteen days.
-
- Henri Young: How long?
-
- James Stamphill: Definition of rehabilitate: To restore to a state of physical, mental and moral health through treatment and training.
Discussion Forum
There are no discussion threads for Murder in the First yet.
What's Hot On RT
New trailer big on drama & action
Trailer for pot smuggling comedy
Fast & Furious cars gallery
Blockbusters ranked!
Featured on RT
- Weekly Ketchup: Fox and Marvel Both Courting Quicksilver for Comic Blockbusters 44
- Video Interviews with Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy of Before Midnight 1
- Critics Consensus: Fast & Furious 6 is Certified Fresh 63
- Red Carpet Photos with Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Gina Carano and More 0
- Video: The Hangover Part III Cast Interviews 1
- Total Recall: Bradley Cooper's Best Movies 52
- Parental Guidance: Epic and Beautiful Creatures 2
Top Headlines
-
Evan Peters Joins X-Men: Days of Future Past
0
-
Toby Jones Talks Captain America: The Winter Soldier
1
-
The Poltergeist Reboot May Actually Be a Sequel
19
-
Will Forte Promises MacGruber 2
6
-
Universal Plans Timecop Reboot
2
-
Return of the Jedi Turns 30
3
-
Vin Diesel Says Fast & Furious 7 Will Take Place in L.A.
0
Foreign Titles
- Meurtre à Alcatraz (FR)


Top Critic