Murder in the First Quotes
An eager and idealistic young attorney defends an Alcatraz prisoner accused of murdering a fellow inmate. The extenuating circumstances: his client had just spent over three years in solitary confinement.
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.
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.
Milton Glenn: ln life for every action there is a definite and distinct reaction. Action
[cuts his hand with his razor]
Milton Glenn: ... reaction
[we see the blood dripping from the hand]
Milton Glenn: .
Henri Young: Yes, Mr. Glenn.
Milton Glenn: Now, if you escape, action: l lose my job... Reaction: l have a family that l 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? l've done nothing to you but my job. And instead of letting you learn by breaking the rules, l feel l 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?
[cuts his hand with his razor]
Milton Glenn: ... reaction
[we see the blood dripping from the hand]
Milton Glenn: .
Henri Young: Yes, Mr. Glenn.
Milton Glenn: Now, if you escape, action: l lose my job... Reaction: l have a family that l 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? l've done nothing to you but my job. And instead of letting you learn by breaking the rules, l feel l 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?
