First Time Felon (TV 1997)

Inspired by the true story of Greg Yance. In the film, Yance (Epps) is a hood who goes to jail for possession of drugs. He is given a choice: 5 years in jail or a couple of months in boot ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles S. Dutton

Writer:

Daniel Therriault

Stars:

Omar Epps, Delroy Lindo, Rachel Ticotin

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Omar Epps	...	Greg Yance
Delroy Lindo	...	Calhoun
Rachel Ticotin	...	McBride
Anthony 'Treach' Criss	...	Tyrone (as Treach)
Justin Pierce	...	Eddie
Lucinda Jenney	...	Sharon
Jo D. Jonz	...	Pookie (as Jo. D. Jónz)
Badja Djola	...	Disciple Leader
William Forsythe	...	Sorley
Robin Michelle McClamb	...	Greg's Mother (as Robin Vaughn)
Tom Nowicki	...	Hogan
Sandra 'Pepa' Denton	...	Laverne
Kristen Jones	...	Crystal
Byron Altman	...	Pookie's Killer
Ed Grady	...	Johnny the Farmer

Storyline

Inspired by the true story of Greg Yance. In the film, Yance (Epps) is a hood who goes to jail for possession of drugs. He is given a choice: 5 years in jail or a couple of months in boot camp. He chooses boot camp and finds out it is tougher than he thought it would be. He braves it through and comes home a better man. He then has to deal with the real world, and never gives up no matter what the odds.

---

Plot Keywords:

based on true story

---

Taglines:

There's his way or the hard way. One guard. One inmate. One chance for redemption.

---

Genres:

Action | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, some violence and drug content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 September 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Camp - Nur die Stärksten kommen durch

Filming Locations:

Green Cove Springs, Florida, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Spring Creek Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Tyrone: Fu, fu, fu, FUCK CALHOUN!
[Fellow inmates laugh and giggle in agreement]
Calhoun: [Door swings open fast, lights turn on] Everybody on their feet!
[Inmates do so]
Calhoun: [Goes to one inmate] Who wants to fuck Calhoun, you?
Inmate 1: No, No Sir.
Calhoun: [Goes to another inmate] You wanna fuck Calhoun?
Inmate 2: No Sir!
Calhoun: [Goes to Tyrone] How bout you? You wanna fuck Calhoun?
Tyrone: No Sir!
[...]

---

Soundtracks

"Yo Playa"
Written by T. Plough, M. Glove & E. Mous
Performed by DJ Polo featuring Mele Mel & Scorpio
Courtesy of Salmon Records

User Reviews

A SMALL GEM OF A MOVIE!!!

A movie provides entertainment,FTF told a real story realistically. I missed the beginning credits so didn't know what it was about till I saw Epps and knew it couldn't be something ordinary.

First Time Felon doesn't rush along because its' story isn't one to be rushed, critics call it slow, I call it insightful.

The hood trying to give up his "hood" has a tough time because he's become a fencesitter in the eyes of all. He's not accepted by society for being honest about his conviction neither is he one of the boys because he's seen the end of that road and this is depicted harshly when Pookie is blown away right next to him, that could have been him and for a minute his own existence was in the balance.

Greg Yance's story is deeply moving in an "it could happen to you" kind of way and you get pulled in like one of the comments said, it holds you right through and I found myself rooting for Yance when he hit the streets again and again, his Mum's support was instrumental in keeping him going,I didn't find it mushy in the least.

Omar Epps is a multi talented actor who delivers every time. This is one of his finest performances till date.

A 7/10