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 | |
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Alex Bookston | ... | Alcatraz Doc (as Alexander Bookston) |
| Richie Allan | ... | Jury Foreman | |
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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 was condemned. The other was determined. Two men whose friendship gave them the will to take on the system. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for strong images of prison brutalities, sexuality and language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Details
Language:
EnglishRelease Date:
20 January 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Alcatraz - kohtaloni See more »Filming Locations:
Triscenic Production Services Inc - 13042 Bradley Ave, Sylmar, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$17,382,000Company Credits
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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
Blanche, the prostitute that James Stamphill brings to visit Henri Young (Kevin Bacon) in prison, is played by Kyra Sedgwick, Kevin Bacon's real-life wife. See more »Goofs
The position of the spoon in Henri's hand changes while he's at the table just before murdering Rufus. 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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As Wayne would have it---"DENIED!!"
how this film escaped the attention of Oscar and Globe voters is one of the great Hollywood mysteries of our time...if Bacon ain't Oscar meat here, i don't know what is...an absolutely brilliant performance in the kind of role the voters usually jump all over at ballot time...ya really gotta wonder...
conspiracy theories aside, this is one helluva flick...besides our pal Kevin, there's outstanding work from Christian Slater, Gary Oldman, and everybody's favorite drill sergeant, Lee Ermey...Moe Greene's kid, Marc Rocco, gets a great period feeling economically...solid work by the wardrobe and make-up units...this film deserved a much better fate at the box office and at awards season in '96...if you haven't seen this one yet, you're missing a real gem...