Murder in the First

Plot synopsis:
As a 17-year-old orphan, Henri Young (Kevin Bacon), steals $5.00 from a grocery store to feed himself and his little sister, both of whom are destitute. He is apprehended by the store clerk, and his sister is sent to an orphanage. Because that grocery store also housed a U.S. Post Office his crime becomes a federal offense. Young never sees his sister again and is sentenced to Leavenworth Penitentiary, Kansas. After later being transferred to Alcatraz, he participates in an escape attempt with two other prisoners.
The escape plan fails due to the betrayal of a fellow inmate, Rufus McCain (David Michael Sterling). Young is punished by being sent to "the hole" which is in Alcatraz's dungeons. Except for 30 minutes on Christmas Day in 1940, he is left in there for three years. The solitary confinement causes Young to lose his sanity. On release back to the general population, he experiences a psychotic episode in the prison cafeteria and attacks McCain, stabbing him to death with a spoon in full view of the prison staff and the other convicts.
Young is put on trial in San Francisco for first degree murder in what prosecutors and the public-defender's office believe is an open-and-shut case. Public defender James Stamphill (Christian Slater), a recent graduate of Harvard Law School, is given the case. After discovering the facts of Young's case, Stamphill attempts to put Alcatraz on trial by alleging that its harsh conditions drove him insane. The trial becomes highly politicized and contentious. Eventually Young is convicted of involuntary manslaughter, not first degree murder. He is returned to Alcatraz where he subsequently dies. The film concludes with ″The Rock's″ associate warden Milton Glenn (Gary Oldman) being convicted for mistreatment and banned from working in the US penal system.

Tags: insanity, murder, flashback

Review:
But i have to say it's not an easy watch, and the violence is relentless, it reminds me of the time i once witnessed a boy get bullied at school, it just never ended and i remember feeling awful for the poor chap, the fact that it's a true story just makes me shudder.
Gary Oldman gives one of the most hateful performances i've ever seen while Slater shows depth as the lawyer trying to get him out of prison as early as possible..
Christian Slater plays a youthful, inexperienced attorney to perfection.In showing another side of Alcatraz the movie breaks away from typical escaped based Alcatraz films.
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....
To do so successfully, as I think this movie does, is the definition and purpose of art.Kevin Bacon shows the most range in his film that I have ever seen from him.
He reminds me of DeNiro's performance in the "Cape Fear" remake.Christian Slater's character provides the viewer's point of view in the film, and he plays with great emotion and passion, and yet with a touch of reserve and detachment.
His portrayal of the warden in this film is a brilliant balance of a socially acceptable monster.This movie has received a lot of criticism for portraying historical facts inaccurately, and for taking sides in a political debate.
Personally, I support both "To Kill A Mockingbird" and "Murder in the First" as films whose merits outweigh their flaws.In short, this movie is worthy of your time, and will reward you, whether you want entertainment thrills, a good popcorn movie, a morally inspiring story or the appreciation of a well-crafted piece of work.
At the heart of this movie, Kevin Bacon's character, Young, asks Christian Slater's character, Stamphill, if they were on the outside, would they be friends?
Henri Young was played by Kevin Bacon who did a fantastic job of acting and captured your attention through out the film.
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.
The true facts of Henri Young's case are significantly different from the story told in the movie.
Young's trial had some impact on correcting those abuses, but not to the extent suggested by the film.If you're interested in another view of the Henri Young case, visit the Bureau of Prisons web site (I can't give the URL because that would violate the comments posting guidelines) and search for "Murder in the First".In any film based on a true event, some license must be granted to the screenwriter.
Having caught up again with this film on t.v., I can only support all other commentators who have observed how utterly ridiculous is the American Academy Award system for not having even nominated the utterly brilliant performance by Kevin Bacon in this film for the best actor award, let alone in not giving him the damned thing!
The story is pretty good, and the movie is never boring, but the highlight of the film is Bacon's haunting portrayal of a man forced into solitary for three years.
In this film, called "Murder in The First Degree ", Henry is played superbly by Kevin Bacon.
Even though this film is not historically accurate, it's still an engaging film with three of the finest performances you will see.Marc Rocco's film is loosely based on Henri Young and his time at Alcatraz.
Kevin Bacon delivers one of his best performances of his career and he shows a wide acting range playing Henri who lacks trust after spending three years in complete darkness.
Christian Slater does mighty fine as the lawyer and Gary Oldman, as usual, delivers another impressive performance.Overall, this film is very interesting and it's an emotionally powerful movie.
Directed by Marc Rocco, Murder In The First (based very loosely on a true story), tells the tale of Alcatraz inmate Henri Young (Bacon) and his treatment at the hands of the Associate Warden and Alcatraz authorities, which subsequently lead to the catastrophic events that set the film in motion.The period is set in the late 1930's.
Petty thief Henri Young, played by Kevin Bacon, was sent to Alcatraz previously from another prison to make up the numbers as the infamous Rock was lacking incorrigibles at the time and the numbers needed justification.
The rest of the movie is focused on the subsequent court case whereby Henri is defended by a young and inexperienced, albeit enthusiastic lawyer James Stamphill, played by Christian Slater.
He plays Henri Young as a pathetic, ruined man who is totally at the mercy of Alcatraz.Gary Oldman is great in a supporting role here, playing a sadistic warden almost in a monstrous bureaucratic way.
I am often undecided in my opinion of Christian Slater when I watch him, but I feel that in this movie he does what is needed and plays Stamphill as a decent guy who is fundamentally a humanist.Some scenes are brutal and hard to watch, especially the torture scenes in the dungeons where Bacons's character suffers.
An interpretation that will draw me to watch a Bacon performance - whether the script is wrong, the directing is off key or any other reason a film can be deemed bad..
It stars Kevin Bacon, Christian Slater, Gary Oldman, Embeth Davidtz, William H.
Music is scored by Christopher Young and cinematography by Fred Murphy.Slater stars as James Stamphill, an idealistic young attorney who is tasked with defending Alcatraz prisoner Henri Young (Bacon) who clearly murdered a fellow inmate.
Stamphill risks his career, and Henri's life, to put Alcatraz and the people in charge on trial.Inspired by a true story, viewers should note that this is mostly a fictitious film.
An astonishing performance that once again in Bacon's career was ignored by his Academy peers.Whilst high on emotional wallop, and some scenes really are tough to watch, the film falls shy of brilliance on account of standard fare for the courtroom sequences.
Henry Young was released (on Parole) from Washington State Prison in 1972 (he did not die on Alcatraz)This movie is good as a story but Michael "I wouldn't know the truth if it kicked me" Moore could have come closer to the truth on this one..
This movie was tough to watch because of the terrible treatment given to a prisoner, played well in here by Kevin Bacon.It's an interesting story, and well performed and told, but so unpleasant to see in a number of spots that I wouldn't watch it again.
**SPOILERS** Highly fictitious account of the life and times of Alcatraz inmate and career criminal #Az244 Henri Young, Kevin Bacon, and his fight to put an end to the torturous dungeon, solitary confinement, where he spent most of his time while incarcerated on the "Rock".We're given the impression that Young's only crime that in the end landed him on the "Rock" was a petty $5.00 robbery of a grocery store.
Young held McCain responsible, in his unfounded suspicion of him, for tipping off the guards in Young and his fellow inmates escape plan.Out off the hole and in with the local prison population Young, after an unsuccessful attempt earlier, attacked McCain in the prison tailor shop and stabbed him with a sank, home-made prison knife, killing him: Not in the mess-hall with a spoon like depicted in the movie.The most egregious misrepresentation in the film "Murder in the First" of Youngs stay in Alcatraz is that he was assigned a young lawyer, who just passed the state bar, to defend him in his trial for McCain's murder James Stamphill, Christian Slater.
The attorney who actually successfully defended Young at his murder trial was San Francisco lawyer Sol Abrams.The film had Henri Young being tortured by the prison guards and assistant Warden Milton Glenn, Gary Oldman, day and night until he finally snaps.
It's then, according to the movie, Young is let out of the hole where, in what seem like within minutes, he attacked and murdered McCain with a spoon in front of well over two hundred witnesses in the prison lunchroom.An open and shut case at first Young's court-appointed attorney James Stamphill turns the trial upside down.
Christian Slater captured the role as Henry Young's (Bacon) lawyer perfectly.
Though depressing and hard to stomach, the honesty it's been made and it's hallmark performances, manage to hold your interest.'Murder in the First' is a about a petty criminal named Henri Young, played by Kevin Bacon, who is put on trial for murder in the first degree.
But, a righteous recent law school graduate, played by Christian Slater, takes up the challenge to take up Young's case, and later blames the prison's executives, for the brutal murder committed by Young.'Murder in the First', like mentioned before, is a largely fictitious take on Henri Young's life.
Based on the real story, this film deals with the story of Henri Young (kevin bacon), a petty criminal caught escaping a prison and is sent to 'the rock'.
Brilliant performances by Slater, Bacon and Gary Oldman(as Prison Wardon).This one stands among very few flicks which make you think and cry.A must see!
Murder In The First examines courtroom intrigue in San Francisco, concerning an Alcatraz inmate (Kevin Bacon) who has been accused of killing a fellow prisoner upon being let out of a cruelly long stint in solitary.
It is often interesting how when old movies show up On Demand years after their first release there is a waterfall of response from viewers - almost like the film has been resurrected and given a second life.
Such is the case for this 1995 film MURDER IN THE FIRST - there seems to be a more honest evaluation of the film as a film than when it was first released and the public took exception to the 'veracity' of the allegedly true story.According to the reported facts, 'Henri Theodore Young (born 1918) was a prisoner at Alcatraz who attempted to escape with four other inmates, Arthur Barker, Dale Stamphill, William Martin, and Rufus McCain.
The film plot follows:Henri Young (Kevin Bacon) stole five dollars from a post office and ended up going to prison - to the most famous, or infamous, prison of them all: Alcatraz.
The true murderer, he says, was Alcatraz.Mark Rocco directed from the screenplay written by Dan Gordon and the film was photographed by Fred Murphy, the tense musical scoring is by Christopher Young.
The story is tight and made credible by the extraordinarily fine performances of Kevin Bacon, Christian Slater, Gary Oldman and a supporting cast that includes Embeth Davidtz, Kyra Sedgwick, Mia Kirshner, William H.
Henri Young (Kevin Bacon) is incarcerated in the prison of Alcatraz for stealing $5; when an attempt to escape is foiled, he is left to take the blame and he is kept in solitary confinement for several years.
Driven Mad by the isolation, within hours of his release he takes the life of the man responsible for his suffering.His Lawyer (Christian Slater) is given Henri's case as a way to cut his teeth as a new lawyer, after all Henri is guilty and he can't possible make this case any worse than it is.Based on true events, Murder in the First is a truly compelling story of the torture of one man, a man that had to go to Alcatraz to become a killer.Kevin Bacon is simply outstanding as the eccentric Henri Young, and he and Christian Slater bring this movie to life, with intrigue, suspense, passion and guts.
This movie is fiction, not remotely based on any the actual story of Henry Young.
I remember seeing this at the very beginning of 1995 and when I saw Kevin Bacon's brilliant performance, I couldn't believe that this film was not given better publicity and an end of the year release.
Kevin Bacon is a fine actor, it is just too bad that the truth could not be told about the trial and incarceration of Henry Young.
Kevin Bacon was amazing as was Christian Slater and Gary Oldman.
but Kevin Bacon and Gary Oldman make this movie.
Christian Slater plays a somewhat bold on the inside rookie lawyer fairly well, and unfortunately some of his dialogue, as well as the judge's (name escapes me) serves to possibly weaken the movie.Bacon's performance is absolutely awe-inspiring.
Kevin Bacon's touching performance is the focus of this drama about a youth , whose cruel imprisonment in the 1930s comes to the attention of a steadfast young attorney(Christian Slater).
The guards at Alcatraz kill one prisoner and recapture others including Henri Young (Kevin Bacon) during an escape attempt.
Young James Stamphill (Christian Slater) becomes his defense lawyer who makes Alcatraz and Warden Milton Glenn (Gary Oldman) as the ultimate cause of the murder.This is one of those based on true story but one shouldn't look too closely.
I love courtroom dramas, Alcatraz has always fascinated me, and it also stars the ever incredible talent that is Oldman, and another top notch performer, Kevin Bacon!
One of my favourite parts in the film was him getting a beating!Sure, the film had its highlights: Gary Oldman at his wicked best almost a rival to Shawshank Redemptions Warden Norton, Brad Dourif performance as Slater's brother was great, and there's a great cameo by Bacons wife Kyra Sedgwick and I admit it was at times quite touching, shocking and emotive.
Rocco's drama tells the true story of an Alcatraz inmate(Bacon) who is severely mistreated inside the institute and its warden (Oldman) and his public defendant lawyer (Slater) who goes public with his case.
The film is solidly directed with a good script from Dan Gordon and great performances from Bacon, Oldman and Slater.
Bacon portrays the character of 'Henri Young' so well that it becomes difficult to watch the film more than a couple of times, I found; and I love to watch 'good' films over and over.
The court room scenes are entertaining if a bit unbelievable but all the performances, Bacon, Slater and Oldman are spectacular and worth watching.
A petty criminal named Henry Young (Kevin Bacon) is sent to Alcatraz for stealing $5 from a general store/post office.
Both Christian Slater and Gary Oldman does a very good job, but Kevin Bacon is superb.
This movie is a good courtroom drama and Bacon's performance was so wonderful that I can't believe he wasn't at least Oscar nominated.
I saw it on the big screen and was completely taken with Kevin Bacon's performance, although Gary Oldman's name drew me to see the movie.
Although I've never heard of this movie until tonight, I was in awe at the stellar performances by both Christian Slater & mostly, Kevin Bacon.
The film is good in its content, Bacon played the role of Henry Young masterfully, but the work of the camera in this film makes it difficult to watch..
I thought it was thoroughly entertaining , with Oldman playing his usual bad guy role and Kevin Bacon outacting Christian Slater.
Henri Young (Kevin Bacon) is sent to Alcatraz for theft and put in solitary confinement.
Depression-era orphan Kevin Bacon (as Henri Young) is sent to the notoriously brutal island prison Alcatraz, after stealing five dollars to feed his little sister.
The story recounted in "Murder in the First", is quite shocking: Henri (Bacon), a young convict who has been arrested for a petty crime, is being transferred to Alcatraz for reasons having to do with logistics and nothing more.
This movie like so few others allows you to get to know the characters and to genuinely care about them and what happens to them.This film was excellent and Kevin Bacon's acting was at it's finest.
This is a remarkable piece of Hollywood film-making, one of the best big studio efforts of the 90's and it was so poorly marketed that few have seen  or heard of  this picture.The too often (and sometimes easily) dismissed Kevin Bacon is here Henri Young, a role as powerfully haunting as any actor could dream of.
Great job to Marc Rocco and his crew of Christian Slater, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman, Embeth Davidtz, William H.
Murder in The First is a powerhouse film about The life of Henri Young and the downfall of Alcatraz.
It contains some of the best performances I've seen from Kevin Bacon and Christian Slater.Gary Oldman is, as always, superb in his role as the Assoc.
The tagline tells us this is the story of the trial that closed down Alcatraz, and the first twenty minutes of Dan Gordon's screenplay tell us precisely why: Henri Young (Kevin Bacon) was illegally kept in solitary confinement for over three years, and during that time was regularly brutalized by the prison warden (Gary Oldman).
The cinematography is wonderful and the movie had a great cast who had given exceptional performances, most noted is Kevin Bacon's tortured Henri Young.
Kevin Bacon(wild things) puts up an Oscar worthy performance as an abused occupant of The Alcatraz Prison.
Kevin Bacon is the main reason to watch this frightening movie about the mental condition of a prisoner in Alcatraz.