Overview
A gripping courtroom drama that delves into the depths of human despair and resilience.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- oppressive
- serious
- morally charged
- historical drama night
- courtroom thriller night
What critics said
Critics acknowledged the compelling true-events-inspired premise and Kevin Bacon's performance but generally found the execution formulaic, emotionally underdeveloped, and overly brutal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
James Stamphill's murder defense becomes an examination of Alcatraz's solitary confinement and prison abuse.
Henri Young's prolonged solitary confinement is presented as central to the conditions surrounding the killing.
The young public defender challenges Alcatraz authorities while defending a prisoner accused of murder.
The film concentrates on solitary confinement, death row, mistreatment, and life inside Alcatraz.
Films like Murder in the First, and why
The Shawshank Redemption
shared prison institutional abuse, courtroom drama, moral outrage, and serious historical tone
A Few Good Men
shared courtroom examination of institutional injustice, idealistic advocacy, and emotionally charged drama
Midnight Express
shared true-events-inspired prison setting, brutality, and critique of dehumanizing institutions
In the Name of the Father
shared historical prison drama, unjust confinement, and emphasis on human dignity under oppression
Movie Details
- Director
- Marc Rocco
- Release Date
- 1995-01-20
- Runtime
- 122 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (634)
Cast
- Christian Slater
- Kevin Bacon
- Gary Oldman
- Embeth Davidtz
- William H. Macy
- Stephen Tobolowsky
- Brad Dourif
- Kyra Sedgwick
- Mia Kirshner
- R. Lee Ermey
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Murder in the First about?
- An idealistic defense attorney turns an Alcatraz murder trial into a fierce challenge to the prison system that helped create the crime.
- What is Murder in the First like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Murder in the First as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Murder in the First violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Murder in the First as brutal.
- What did critics think of Murder in the First?
- Critics acknowledged the compelling true-events-inspired premise and Kevin Bacon's performance but generally found the execution formulaic, emotionally underdeveloped, and overly brutal.
- Which films are like Murder in the First?
- Films with a similar feel include The Shawshank Redemption, A Few Good Men, Midnight Express, and In the Name of the Father.
- How long is Murder in the First?
- Murder in the First runs 122 minutes.
- Where can I watch Murder in the First?
- In United States, Murder in the First streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
