Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
- Starring:
- Burt Lancaster, Karl Malden, (more)
- Director(s):
- John Frankenheimer
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In this film based on a true story, Burt Lancaster plays Robert Stroud, a withdrawn prison inmate who cures a sick bird that flies into his cell and eventually becomes a world-renowned ornithologist -- all while serving a life sentence. An overbearing warden (Karl Malden) eventually transfers Stroud to the notoriously brutal prison on Alcatraz, but he is able to continue his research, abort a riot, start a romance, and eventually get his story out through a determined reporter (Edmond O'Brien). Directed with his usual solid craftsmanship by John Frankenheimer, Birdman Of Alcatraz tells a quietly moving tale for which Lancaster, Telly Savalas (as one of Stroud's fellow inmates), and Thelma Ritter (as Stroud's mother) all received Oscar nominations. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 149 mins
Complete Cast:
- Burt Lancaster - Robert Stroud
- Thelma Ritter - Elizabeth Stroud
- Betty Field - Stella Johnson
- Edmond O'Brien - Tom Gaddis
- Whit Bissell - Dr. Ellis
- James Westerfield - Jess Younger
- Harry Jackson - Reporter
- Chris Robinson - Young Convict
- Robert Burton - Senator Lewis
- Raymond Greenleaf - Judge
- William Hansen - Fred Daw
- Len Lesser - Burns
- Adrienne Marden - Mrs. Woodrow Wilson
- Karl Malden - Harvey Shoemaker
- Neville Brand - Bull Ransom
- Telly Savalas - Feto Gomez
- Hugh Marlowe - Roy Comstock
- Graham Denton - Kramer
- Stella Johnson - Betty Field
- Leonard Penn - Eddie Kassellis
- Nick Dennis - Crazed Prisoner
- Harry Holcombe - Editor
- George Mitchell - Father Matthieu
- Lewis Charles - Chaplain Wentzel
- Edward Mallory - John Clary
- Director(s):
- John Frankenheimer
- Writer(s):
- Guy Troper
- Producer(s):
- Stuart Millar, Guy Troper, Harold Hecht
- Closed Captioning:
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- Subtitles:
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- 1962 - Birdman of Alcatraz - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Foreign Actor
- 1962 - Birdman of Alcatraz - Venice International Film Festival - Volpi Cup for Best Actor
