Murder in the First (1995) - Quotes

Silence and System: A Dual Breakthrough

Taglines: One broke his silence. The other broke the system.

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Accusations and Justifications in a Prison Setting

Taglines: I accuse Alcatraz of crimes against humanity." – The lawyer"I was a weapon, but I ain't no killer." – The accused"I am not on trial here." – The warden

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The Trial That Changed Alcatraz Forever

Taglines: The trial that brought down Alcatraz.

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Friendship Against the System

Taglines: One was condemned. The other was determined. Two men whose friendship gave them the will to take on the system.

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Truth Prevails Despite Oppression and Injustice

Taglines: They locked him up. They crushed his spirit. But they couldn't hide the truth.

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The Consequences of Actions and Tolerance

Milton Glenn: [cuts his hand with his razor] ln life for every action there is a definite and distinct reaction. Action... reaction.

Henri Young: Yes, Mr. Glenn.

Milton Glenn: Now, if you escape, action: I lose my job... Reaction: I have a family that I will not be able to provide for! Now, knowing this information, can you tell me why you would possibly want to escape and jeopardize my family? I've done nothing to you but my job. And instead of letting you learn by breaking the rules, I feel I need to show you how to obey them. Tolerance. Tolerance for pain. My tolerance of you. But tolerance can be mistaken for kindness. And kindness can be mistaken for weakness. And we can't have weakness, can we, Henri?

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A Standoff of Questions and Answers

James Stamphill: I will ask you what I want to ask you.

Henri Young: And I answer what I want to answer.

James Stamphill: Fine.

Henri Young: Fine.

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Sports Team Comparison in Dialogue

James Stamphill: How do you think the Yankees will do against the Redskins this year?

Henri Young: The Yankees are a baseball team. The Redskins are a football team. Personally, I think the Redskins would kick the shit out of them.

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Responsibility and Identity in Crime

James Stamphill: Did you kill Rufus McCain?

Henri Young: I was the weapon, but I ain't no killer.

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Dismissive Responses in a Tense Conversation

James Stamphill: I was wondering if I could talk to you, sir, about a continuance.

D.A. William McNeil: No.

James Stamphill: You don't understand, sir, he just sits there. I can't even get him to speak.

D.A. William McNeil: Well maybe he's practicing for the gas chamber. Tell him to take deep breaths.

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Authority and Defiance in the Courtroom

Judge Clawson: I do not need you to tell me what is, or is not okay. In this courtroom, I am the one who decides what is, or is not okay. Okay?

Blanche, Hooker: Honey, you're gonna have to get it up first. It's like trying to stick an oyster into a slot machine.

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The Struggle Between Law and Humanity

Milton Glenn: Some men are broken by the laws that they break, unable to resist the forces that are pulling them down. Other men live by the rules that society sets down. You're not one of them.

Desire for Connection in Isolation

Henri Young: I got nothin'. I got nobody. I don't need a lawyer, I need a friend.

Victory and Its Inalienable Nature

Henri Young: Action: I won. Reaction: you can't never take that away from me.

Impact of Solitary Confinement on Justice Reform

James Stamphill: [[Charles Dickens] ] once said that solitary confinement was inhumane. Seven months later, the Supreme Court agreed. As a a result of the facts brought out in the trail of The People vs. Young, the dungeons of Alcatraz were closed forever. Associate warden Glenn was brought up on charges of mistreatment. He was found guilty. He would never work in the penal system again. I remained in private practice. I also became a baseball fan. You did it, Henri!

Embracing Life and Death with Courage

James Stamphill: Unlike many men who lived long after, Henri Young did not die in vain. In the end he was not afraid. He lived and he died in triumph. If only we could all do that.