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.
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Title: Murder in the First (1995)
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2 wins & 2 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| 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 |
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Plot Summary
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Storyline
Henri Young stole five dollars from a post office and ended up going to prison - to the most famous, or infamous, prison of them all: Alcatraz. He tried to escape, failed, and spent three years and two months in solitary confinement - in a dungeon, with no light, no heat and no toilet. Milton Glenn, the assistant warden, who was given free reign by his duty-shirking superior, was responsible for Young's treatment. Glenn even took a straight razor and hobbled Young for life. After three years and two months, Young was taken out of solitary confinement and put with the rest of the prisoners. Almost immediately, Young took a spoon and stabbed a fellow prisoner in the neck, killing him. Now, Young is on trial for murder, and if he's convicted he'll go to the gas chamber. An eager and idealistic young attorney, James Stamphill, is given this impossible case, and argues before a shocked courtroom that Young had a co-conspirator. The true murderer, he says, was Alcatraz. Written by J. Spurlin
Taglines:
One broke his silence. The other broke the system. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for strong images of prison brutalities, sexuality and language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
20 January 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Asesinato en primer grado See more »Filming Locations:
Triscenic Production Services Inc - 13042 Bradley Ave, Sylmar, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$4,719,188, 22 January 1995Gross USA:
$17,381,942Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$17,381,942Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Written by Erskine Hawkins, William Johnson, Julian Dash, and Buddy Feyne
Performed by The Andrews Sisters
Courtesy of MCA Records
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
When Henri Young tried to escape Alcatraz in real life, one of his accomplices was named Dale Stamphill, the same surname as Christian Slater's character. See more »Goofs
The judge schedules Henri's trial for "June 22, a week from Thursday," in 1941. June 22 was on a Sunday in 1941. See more »Crazy Credits
This Film is Inspired by a True Story See more »Soundtracks
Tuxedo JunctionWritten by Erskine Hawkins, William Johnson, Julian Dash, and Buddy Feyne
Performed by The Andrews Sisters
Courtesy of MCA Records
See more »
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This was a very entertaining film about the horrible treatment of a certain prisoner at Alcatraz named Henri Young who robbed a store for five dollars ($5.00) and was sent to prison. Henri Young was played by Kevin Bacon who did a fantastic job of acting and captured your attention through out the film. There were many scenes filmed on the Island of Alcatraz and some old time footage of the first time Warden of Alcatraz, James R. Johnston. Christian Slater, (James Stamphill) was the lawyer assigned for Henri Young's defense, who had a hard job trying to rehabilitate his client so he could stand trial and even speak a few words. Young was in such bad shape mentally from being put into the solitary confinement for three (3) years, he was like an animal instead of a human being. This Hollywood version is not all completely true about Henri Young, he really had a long history of crime and mental problems. However, this film is very entertaining and Kevin Bacon put his heart and soul into this role. Enjoy.