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Murder in the First (1994)
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Reviews Counted:9
Fresh:4
Rotten:5
Average Rating:4.9/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: The true story of Henri Young, a 1930's convict who has been sent to prison for stealing five dollars. But when Young and others attempt to escape, they are caught. As punishment, a naked and wet... The true story of Henri Young, a 1930's convict who has been sent to prison for stealing five dollars. But when Young and others attempt to escape, they are caught. As punishment, a naked and wet Young is thrown into a dark, damp, rat-infested cell, where he is his beaten continuously. He emerges from this hellhole three years later a virtual madman -- and promptly kills the inmate who snitched about the escape attempt. Now facing a charge of murder in the first degree, Young is defended by inexperienced go-getter James Stamphill. Although the cards are stacked high against him, the lawyer makes Young plead innocent. Stamphill's plan: to put Alcatraz, and the whole prison system on trial, as both institutions have turned his client into a homicidal maniac. [More]
Starring: Christian Slater, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman, Embeth Davidtz
Starring: Christian Slater, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman, Embeth Davidtz, Brad Dourif, William H. Macy, R. Lee Ermey
Director: Marc Rocco
Director: Marc Rocco
Producer: Mark Frydman, David L. Wolper
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Reviews for Murder in the First
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.
A reasonably exhilarating hybrid of prison movie and courtroom drama.
Regardless of how this version raises the hackles of Alcatraz aficionados, Marc Rocco's movie is a solid and affecting example of film making.
An example of what happens when a picture has everything going for it except good writing and good direction.
Though based on a true story, this grueling drama is peopled by characters that have been fictionalized into big house cliches.
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.
It's a struggle for Bacon -- and I'm not doubting the facts of the matter -- because the part is so clearly designed to knock us out; but Bacon is honest, in touch with Young's sources or lack of them.
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