Murder in the First (DVD, 1999)

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.
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

"Murder in the First" is the tre story of Henry Young (Kevin Bacon) and his struggles inside the Alcatraz Penetentiary. The story is told by his lawyer (Christian Slater)as he is called to defend Young for killing a fellow inmate with a spoon on the first day of his release from a three year solitary confinement sentence. The movie exposes the physche of Henry Young and how it was affected by the turturous three years in a black hole with only spiders to keep him company when his only crime was stealing $5 for food. Kevin Bacon fully embrases the characters pain and delivers a trully compeling role. I would recoment this movie to anyone that likes true stories and has a strong stomach.

I love law movies and courtroom battles. This is a true story about Alcatraz and what happened to one man because of the system. Very good movie

I've seen this before and was so impressed that I had to buy it!

This is true story. It is so intense and dramatic.

Kevin Bacon's performance is spellbinding! The legal aspect of this movie is overwhelming - it's like you can't take you eyes off the movie for even a second.

Christian Slater is a fighter and works harder than any lawyer I've ever worked for. His performance is also sensational - he's obsessed and compulsive in the justice for Kevin Bacon's character.

The ending is also a story in itself. This is definitely a must-have dramatic movie. You'll want to watch it again ever so often - just for the dramatics and because it's a true story.

coonhoundpal

This is an excellent Movie. One of the most dramatic movies I have ever seen.
Kevin Bacon deserves and Oscar for his acting in this movie.