This film is one of my all time favourites. I just don't understand the low scores. There is everything here, including action, tenderness, violence, a moving score, friendship, hatred, high emotion, shocking cruelty and on and on. As courtroom dramas go, this is among the best of the genre and is woefully underrated and unknown.

Great movie and great acting , can't understand how anyone can say it's a bad movie

Murder in the First is a terrific film. It is about a young attorney who defends an Alcatraz prisoner accused of murdering a fellow inmate. Christian Slater and Kevin Bacon give fantastic performances. The script is good but a little slow in places. Marc Rocco did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the drama.

A movie that is loosely based on a true story about a prisoner who was overly abused in Alcatraz prison. Its a good watch to help learn about Alcatraz prison, but not the most faithful adaption either.

Strong performance by Kevin Bacon, it's so compelling, but almost hard to see it. Reminds me "Midnight Express". Not for entertainment.

The greatest 02 hours: and 02 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Drab and basic, "Murder In The First" represents the epitome of that sort of film that thinks itself a prestige picture gunning for a nomination in every category at the Academy Awards when in reality it's just empty and thin in nearly every regard. Trying to be high-minded and kind-hearted, the film fairly trains its crosshairs upon the American prison system, opening up a number of thought-provoking moral dilemmas and pleas for change. This all shreds to tatters upon just a cursory glance at the true events that inspired this movie, however, as you learn that not only is this entire thing a complete bastardization of the actual events in question, but totally neglectful of actual events that could have made for a much more interesting movie altogether. As much as I appreciated the scene-chewery from Kevin Bacon in this one, there's really next to nothing beyond that. A real shame.

Story/Screenplay: (4/5) It's "inspired" by a true story, so I guess it can be forgiven for not being historically accurate. However, putting history aside, this was a really well written and engaging story. Very easy to follow and maintained interest throughout. Duration/Tempo: (4/5) At 2 hours and 2 minutes, it's a long movie that felt shorter. The direction and editing for this film were top-notch. Cast & Crew: (4.5/5) Christian Slater and Kevin Bacon were excellent, with strong performances from Gary Oldman and R. Lee Ermey. The overall performance from the cast was solid. Summary: (4/5) The story was very good, the cast was excellent, and the film felt shorter than it actually was. A strong thumbs up.

Powerful story and great performances. Kevin Bacon should have been nominated for an Academy Award.

Had all the ingredients to make an outstanding film including an amazing turn by Kevin Bacon, yet falls short of greatness.

boring , although it is based on a true story it just never held my attention

Kevin Bacon deserved an Oscar.

Kevin + Christian: how can it be rotten?

I love this film. the cast is great and the script well craftet. Everytime I watch it I am amazed by Kevin Bacons performance, you feel his pain and his anger, the desolation and the scars of imprisonment. Christian Slater is a well placed actor on his side and gives it the right balance. These two are so great that I always forget that Gary Oldman is also part of it :-)

I love this movie. It's one of my favorites. I can't believe more people didn't give it a chance

I absolutely loved this movie, it's a film that I could watch over and over again

Excellent movie. Captivating. Fastest two hours I have experienced in a movie for some time. Keven Bacon was outstanding.

Tositapahtumiin perustuva vankiladraama Alcatrazista. Hyvät näyttelijät. Ahdistava, mutta loistava elokuva. (Suom. Alcatraz - kohtaloni)

Just another great movie that's worth being in my DVD collection.

Loosely based on fact drama set in Alcatraz. Bacon gives one of his best performances and Oldman as the warden is right sadistic cunt.