Birdman of Alcatraz
1962 · Movie · NR · 147 min · ★ 7.5 · 84% critics
After killing a prison guard, a convict is left in solitary confinement and driven to near madness by loneliness and despair. When he discovers a helpless baby sparrow, he nurses it back to health and finds new purpose, studying birds until he becomes a renowned ornithologist.
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Details
- Years
- 1962
- Release date
- 1962-07-04
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
- Runtime
- 147 min
- Max quality
- HD
- Critic score
- 84/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.5/10 (340 votes)
About
You’ll like this brooding prison biopic for its slow-burn hope and transformation through bird care, especially if you enjoy The Miracle Worker or Cool Hand Luke—Not for you if you want strictly factual history, a fast-moving plot, or more conventional prison-action thrills.
Pros: inspirational personal change; strong lead performance; memorable bird-care arc | Cons: long and slow; mixed historical accuracy; some feel-tacked-on elements
Themes
- prison
- prisoner
- rebel
- difficult childhood
- human animal relationship
- alcatraz prison
- ornithology
- biography
- solitary confinement
- black and white
- warden
- birds
Awards & recognition
- National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actress · 1963 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Black-and-White · 1963 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1963 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1963 · nominated
Cast & crew
Burt Lancaster
as Robert Stroud
Karl Malden
as Harvey Shoemaker
Thelma Ritter
as Elizabeth Stroud
Neville Brand
as Bull Ransom
Betty Field
as Stella Johnson
Telly Savalas
as Feto Gomez
Edmond O'Brien
as Tom Gaddis
Hugh Marlowe
as Roy Comstock
Whit Bissell
as Dr. Ellis
Crahan Denton
as Kramer
Directed by John Frankenheimer