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                                                       THE HARTFORD


April 4, 2005


Board of Directors
Hartford Life Insurance Company
200 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT 06089

RE:    MODIFIED GUARANTEED ANNUITY CONTRACT
       HARTFORD LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
       File No. 333-46376

Dear Sir/Madam:

This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a certain Group Deferred Annuity Contract
(the "Contract") that will be offered and sold by Hartford Life Insurance
Company (the "Company"). I have examined such documents (including the Form S-2
Registration Statement) and reviewed such questions of law as I considered
necessary and appropriate, and on the basis of such examination and review, it
is my opinion that:

1.   The Company is a corporation duly organized and validly existing as a stock
     life insurance company under the laws of the State of Connecticut and is
     duly authorized by the Insurance Department of the State of Connecticut to
     issue the Contract.

2.   The form of the Contract that will be issued by the Company has been filed
     in states where it is eligible for approval and upon issuance will be valid
     and binding upon the Company.

I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Form S-2
Registration Statement and to the reference to my name under the heading "Legal
Opinions" in the prospectus included as a part of such Form S-2.

Sincerely,

/s/ Christopher M. Grinnell

Christopher M. Grinnell
Counsel and Assistant Vice President