Murder in the First (1995)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
James Stamphill	Christian Slater	½
Henri Young	Kevin Bacon
Assoc. Warden Glenn	Gary Oldman	½
D.A. William McNeil	William H. Macy	-
Mr. Henkin	Stephen Tobolowsky	-
Byron Stamphill	Brad Dourif	-
Judge Clawson	R. Lee Ermey	½
Blanche	Kyra Sedgwick	-

Review

Marc Rocco's Murder in the First presents an interesting story based on the real-life case which spurred the closing down of Alcatraz prison, but the narrative and the film's at time compelling atmosphere is overshadowed by a somewhat banal form and an annoying self-importance: The picture is so self-absorbed with its own moral high ground that you eventually feel offended by its lecturing. It's like a movie for people living in the era depicted. Kevin Bacon's strong performance isn't necessarily wasted, but it's neither consolidated by Rocco, who wastes a good opportunity to make an engrossing, heartrending film. Christian Slater, Gary Oldman and R. Lee Ermey contribute with engaging, somewhat underdeveloped performances.