A well-shot drama about an ambitious young public defender who takes on the case of a man whose cruel treatment at Alcatraz turned him into a killer. In the process of trying the case, the two develop a bond and ultimately bring down Alcatraz once and for all.
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.
Filmed in Foto-Kem color.
Rated BBFC 15 by the British Board of Film Classification.
Produced in association with the Wolper Organisation.
Additional credits: Kenneth Silverstein, David McWhirter, Shannon Wilson (assistant directors); Frank Perl (camera operator); Peter Stoltz (special effects coordinator); David Cates (music editor); David May (music co-ordinator); Mark Hollingsworth, John Hegedes, Andre Bacha, Ascher Yates, Howard Neiman (sound editors).
DVD Features:
Region 1
Snap Case
Pan & Scan - 1.33
Widescreen
Audio:
Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround - English
Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround - French
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
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Review 1:
"...Bacon creates a brilliant, harrowing portrait..."
Source: Premiere
p.117 06/01/1995
Review 2:
"...It is impossible to leave MURDER IN THE FIRST without being moved....[Featuring] Kevin Bacon in a blistering performance..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.62-3 02/09/1995
Review 3:
"...Kevin Bacon gives a career performance..."
Source: USA Today
p.4D 02/17/1995
Review 4:
"Bacon is wrenching....Genuinely moving..." -- Rating: A-
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.66 07/14/1995
Review 5:
"...A terrific true story, a good script, [and] some potent performances....Gary Oldman makes a strong showing..."
Source: Variety
01/23/1995
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