- Actors: Christian Slater, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman, Embeth Davidtz, William H. Macy
- Directors: Marc Rocco
- Writers: Dan Gordon
- Producers: Marc Rocco, David L. Wolper, Deborah Lee, Marc Frydman, Mark Wolper
- Format: PAL
- Language English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Cinema Club
- DVD Release Date: 19 July 2004
- Run Time: 122 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B0001Z652G
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 18,830 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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DVD Description
When Henri is caught trying to escape from Alcatraz he is put into solitary confinement for several years emerging as a tortured mad man. In a deluded rage he murders an inmate and then has to convince the jury that his horrific treatment is to blame. Inspired by the true story of Alcatraz inmate Henri Young
Star studded cast with Kevin Bacon, Christian Slater and Gary Oldman
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Terrific true story about the trial that brought down Alcatraz. It tells the tale of Henry Young (Kevin Bacon), whose parents had died leaving him alone to look after his younger sister, then later wrongly imprisoned for murder and sent to alcatraz. Where he is tortured by the prison warden Mr.Glenn (Gary Oldman).
When his escape plan fails, he isthrown down a steel flight of stairs, beaten, his ankles were slashed condemning him to walk with a hobbnle for the rest of his life and then placed in solitary confinement for three years. Then when he is taken out of solitary confinement he kills the man who grassed on him and his life is put on trial. Taking his case to court is Christian Slater's young attorney, who turns the trial into an indictment of a repellent institution.
When his escape plan fails, he isthrown down a steel flight of stairs, beaten, his ankles were slashed condemning him to walk with a hobbnle for the rest of his life and then placed in solitary confinement for three years. Then when he is taken out of solitary confinement he kills the man who grassed on him and his life is put on trial. Taking his case to court is Christian Slater's young attorney, who turns the trial into an indictment of a repellent institution.
There are some memorable performances with Kevin bacon stealing the show. He gives a convincing performance as the young convict and made me realise what a fine and under-rated actor he is. Gary Oldman was great as always and did his sinister bad guy routine very well. But I felt Christian Slater's performance was a bit wooden and he only just scraped by.
This film was moving made me really feel for Henry Young. The only possible flaws being Christian Slater and at times it was ever so slightly cheesy. But overall I would say this was a great film by Marc Rocco. Forcefull stuff
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Kevin Bacon(wild things) puts up an Oscar worthy performance as an abused occupant of The Alcatraz Prison. Christian Slater(true romance) also does well but is shadowed by Bacon and co star Gary Oldman(the scarlet letter).
The story is chilling and dark and Bacon portrays his character to perfection. Brad Dourif(urban legend, child's play) also stars as another shady character trying to put a stop to the Slater/Bacon appeal.
If there was one thing that the writers could have done to improve the story to appeal to a larger audience was, they could have made the story faster and smoother, to get rid of the inconsistency's. 'Murder In' is however, a great film with worthy performances by the whole cast.
The story is chilling and dark and Bacon portrays his character to perfection. Brad Dourif(urban legend, child's play) also stars as another shady character trying to put a stop to the Slater/Bacon appeal.
If there was one thing that the writers could have done to improve the story to appeal to a larger audience was, they could have made the story faster and smoother, to get rid of the inconsistency's. 'Murder In' is however, a great film with worthy performances by the whole cast.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Other reviewers have described the plot so no need for me to do so.
This is a powerful film that should be seen if for no other reason than to see the brilliant performance of Kevin Bacon, an actor who, for this viewer, never fails to deliver exceptional performances and yet never seems to gain the acclaim he deserves. Murder In The First should have won him an Oscar.
The film grips hard and never lets go, even long after it ends. Hats off to its director and the entire cast. Gary Oldman delivers what one always expects from Oldman: rare and awesome excellence. And though Christian Slater does at times seem like a pup in the company of giants, his performance is not to be dismissed.
But make no mistake about it, this is Bacon's film.
This is a powerful film that should be seen if for no other reason than to see the brilliant performance of Kevin Bacon, an actor who, for this viewer, never fails to deliver exceptional performances and yet never seems to gain the acclaim he deserves. Murder In The First should have won him an Oscar.
The film grips hard and never lets go, even long after it ends. Hats off to its director and the entire cast. Gary Oldman delivers what one always expects from Oldman: rare and awesome excellence. And though Christian Slater does at times seem like a pup in the company of giants, his performance is not to be dismissed.
But make no mistake about it, this is Bacon's film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great story, could have been told better
This is a good film but it could have been better. I'm not a fan of the direction generally but I do like many aspects of it, such as the exploration of space (e.g. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr Booja Booja
Brilliant but not true
This film is really good, but it is not a true story. Henry Young didn't steal $5 from the shop. He robbed a bank, he was armed and he killed one of the people there. Read more
Published 22 months ago by M. Taylor
Good thriller
I only recently got to see this film for the first time and it's really worth a watch. Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman and Christian Slater are all excellent in this film based on true... Read more
Published on 23 April 2010 by Matty
a great movie
murder in the first is a great tale,possibly based on real life events,the film is handled brilliantly and hasnt quite had the acclaim it deserves due to the success of the... Read more
Published on 1 Dec 2006 by sean paul mccann
Murder In The First
“Murder in the First” is one of those films that is based on a true story but the film makers cleverly don’t really reveal as to how factual their film is and I... Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2006 by Rich Milligan
It captures the horror and fear and turns it into brilliance
The stars are brilliant, the script is touching, the speeches are truely inspiring. This film is pure class. Read more
Published on 28 May 2001 by A. A. Mansfield
kevin bacon and gary oldman sizzle in this top prison drama.
i think this stunning alcatraz prison drama shows the dramatic truth behind life in prison.kevin bacon was perfectly cast as the abused inmate and gary oldman was great as the... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2001 by Andy Edgar(fat_abbott_uk@yahoo.com)
Brilliant performance by three tried and tested actors
MURDER IN THE FIRST encapsultates the the notion of a psychological thriller. Oldman, Bacon and Slater are a tripple threat to the movie audience's moral and viseral understanding... Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2000 by madison159@yahoo.com
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