Murder In The First
The Trial That Brought Down Alcatraz.
Christian Slater, Kevin Bacon and Gary Oldman star in this compelling, fact-based story of the trial that shut down the dungeons of Alcatraz. In a haunting performance, Bacon plays convict Henri Young. His crime: heisting $5 for his starving sister. His fate: worse than death. He's confined to the dungeons after a failed escape - an isolation lasting three mind-shattering years. When Henri at last emerges, he's confused, savage, barely human...and he quickly slays the stoolie who ratted on his escape. It's an open-and-shut case of Murder One. But a resolute attorney has another option. He and Henri will put Alcatraz and its sadistic associate warden on trial.
Member Reviews
Brutal but Bacon Brilliant - Stitch
Particularly brutal introduction to the point of unwatchable but then redeemed by the award winning Bacon, his physicality channeling Daniel Day-Lewis of My Left Foot. Credit Gary Oldman for upping the malevolence factor to four star calibre. Christian Slater then steps in to carry the legalities, a story in itself.
As to the screenplay, ‘inspired by a true story’ should be asterisked, footnote 99% fiction. Knowing the case involved, it seriously ticks me to see complete distortion of the victim’s character and pursuant life story—it’s the core ingredient driving our empathy, and it’s blatantly untrue. Alcatraz-like institutions can indeed be brutal on occasion but gross warping of this event does no credit to the producers. Only the fact it was closed in 1963 and the participants long deceased probably allowed them to skate the libel suits.
Having said that, Bacon chews the role to perfection. And inadvertently displays in some of the courtroom byplay some mannerisms evocative of the real Henri Young persona (had he read the true life history?). Anyhow, he effectively ranges from pathos to belligerence and we can believe and accept his emotional disconnection. Oldman with his trademark righteous venom solidifies our connection to the victim. Christian Slater’s fledgling lawyer shambles along without unduly taxing our credibility, but contributes little to the passion quotient. Nor do the balance of the cast.
Abetting the lead performance is rich cinematography that recaptures the bricks and mortar of Alcatraz. In the city, holding cells and the courtroom are meticulously reproduced to the last detail including the then sound system. The early forties atmosphere is visceral. And for us old-timer baseball fans, the DiMaggio bit is the icing.
Four stars for performance and pictorials (ignore my discomfort with the screenplay). But with numbing brutality and some explicit sexuality, absolutely inappropriate for children.Chilling - Curmudgeon
A graphic retelling of the inhumanity of prison systems and the cruelty of those who work there. Sadistic wardens and guards drive a simple man to murder. A crusading lawyer wins and yet loses.
Supposedly reform followed this dark period in history. Can we be sure of that?
Strong acting and a powerful story. Worth seeing but not for the squeamish.A Piece of History - J_Jagger
Murder in the First is an amazing movie that brings home the brutalities of prisoner treatment. If you thought Western culture imprisonment was humane, guess again. Kevin Bacon portrays a deeply wounded character with starling accuracy. The movie reveals the types of cover-ups used by the American gov't to white wash its institutions and the reason Alcatraz was finally shut down. A film I would recommend for any open minded individual.
Member Reviews
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Brutal but Bacon Brilliant - Stitch
Particularly brutal introduction to the point of unwatchable but then redeemed by the award winning Bacon, his physicality channeling Daniel Day-Lewis of My Left Foot. Credit Gary Oldman for upping the malevolence factor to four star calibre. Christian Slater ...Chilling - Curmudgeon
A graphic retelling of the inhumanity of prison systems and the cruelty of those who work there. Sadistic wardens and guards drive a simple man to murder. A crusading lawyer wins and yet loses.
Supposedly reform followed this dark period in history. ...A Piece of History - J_Jagger
Murder in the First is an amazing movie that brings home the brutalities of prisoner treatment. If you thought Western culture imprisonment was humane, guess again. Kevin Bacon portrays a deeply wounded character with starling accuracy. The movie reveals the ...