全米一悪名高きアルカトラズ刑務所を閉鎖に追い込んだ、一人の囚人と彼を支えた若き弁護士の友情を描く、実話の映画化。死刑確実と言われていたアルカトラズ刑務所内で起こった殺人事件を担当することになった若き弁護士ジェームスは、犯人の囚人ヘンリー・ヤングを調べていくうちに彼の有罪に疑問をもつようになっていった。やがて彼はアメリカ合衆国に真っ向から闘いを挑んでゆく……。
AIが作品の魅力を深く読み解いています
製作費: $20,000,000 (30億円)
興行収入: $29,500,000 (44億円)
推定収支: $9,500,000 (14億円)
※製作費・興行収入はTMDBのデータを参照しています。収支は(興行収入 - 製作費)で算出したFindKey独自の推定値であり、広告宣伝費や諸経費は含まれません (1ドル=150円換算)。
監督: Marc Rocco
脚本: Dan Gordon
制作: Marc Frydman / Marc Rocco / David L. Wolper
撮影監督: Fred Murphy
制作会社: Wolper Organization / Warner Bros. Pictures / Le Studio Canal+
_**Life on Alcatraz in the 30s and early 40s**_ A young lawyer (Christian Slater) defends an inmate of Alcatraz (Kevin Bacon) accused of murder in 1941, but argues that the cruel treatment in the notorious prison is what drove him to it. Gary Oldman plays the heartless Warden (technically associate Warden) while R. Lee Ermey is on hand as the judge. "Murder in the First" (1995) is a prison/courtroom drama that says its “inspired by true events,” which means it’s NOT a biography of the real Henri Young, but rather uses Young’s basic story as a microcosm for unveiling several of Alcatraz’ dubious and inhumane doings during the 30s. Look up the real history after viewing the movie, yet not just Young’s story and the trial, but also the ‘Dungeon’ and how prisoners were treated in solitary confinement during the early years of that infamous ‘Rock.’ The movie successfully brings the viewer back to the 30s and early 40s, but the filmmakers laid it on too thick in regards to how ee-vil the prison authorities are, not to mention how supposedly innocent Young is (he wasn't), which smacks of agenda. But, like I said, Young _represented_ several issues/cases at Alcatraz, so it can be overlooked. Nevertheless, this is cut from the same cloth as “The Shawshank Redemption,” the surprise hit from a year earlier (not that it was a hit at first, but it eventually became one). I’m not saying “Murder in the First” is as good but, if you liked “Shawshank,” you’ll probably appreciate it. Embeth Davidtz, Kyra Sedgwick and Mia Kirshner show up on the feminine front. Davidtz really shines in the biggest role of the three. The film runs 2 hours, 2 minutes, and was shot in San Francisco & Alcatraz Island with the courtroom scenes done at Triscenic Production Services Inc. in Los Angeles area. GRADE: B-
