Murder In the First is based on the true story of a murder trial that paved the way toward prison reform and the eventual decommissioning of Alcatraz. The story is compelling if a little unbalanced: it lingers overlong on cruel treatment of prisoners and not enough on the young attorney who upsets the system by exposing the negligence of people in important places in court. Subplots, for example, concerning the relationship with his brother, are introduced, provide tension, but don't add enough substance.

Nonetheless, this film drew me in and told a story I cared about. On that basis, I can recommend it.