Synopsis
After killing a prison guard, convict Robert Stroud faces life imprisonment in solitary confinement. Driven nearly mad by loneliness and despair, Stroud's life gains new meaning when he happens upon a helpless baby sparrow in the exercise yard and nurses it back to health. Despite having only a third grade education, Stroud goes on to become a renowned ornithologist and achieves a greater sense of freedom and purpose behind bars than most people find in the outside world.
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Cast
- Burt LancasterRobert Stroud
- Karl MaldenHarvey Shoemaker
- Thelma RitterElizabeth Stroud
- Neville BrandBull Ransom
- Betty FieldStella Johnson
- Telly SavalasFeto Gomez
- Edmond O'BrienTom Gaddis
- Hugh MarloweRoy Comstock
- Whit BissellDr. Ellis
- Crahan DentonKramer
Recommendations
- 90
The New York Times
A thoughtful yet powerful portrait that cleaves to the heart and mind despite its omissions. - 90
Variety
Birdman of Alcatraz is not really a prison picture in the traditional and accepted sense of the term. Birdman reverses the formula and brings a new breadth and depth to the form. In telling, with reasonable objectivity but understandably deep compassion the true story of Robert Stroud, it achieves a human dimension way beyond its predecessors. - 80
CineVue
John Frankenheimer’s 1962 film is a stately and moving depiction of the man’s capacity for dignity and improvement. - 80
Empire
John Frankenheimer, during his decade as one of the screen's most innovative and exciting directors, tells a difficult story with imagination and compassion. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
The Birdman of Alcatraz has great production values, moving if sometimes plodding, overly deliberate scripting, and efficient direction from black-and-white specialist Frankenheimer which strives mightily to overcome the essentially static nature of the storyline. - 70
Time Out
A likeable film, particularly in its observation of the evolving relationship between the anti-social prisoner and the hostile warder (Brand, excellent) from whom he is forced to beg favours. - 60
The New Yorker
We don't get enough understanding of Stroud to become involved in how he is transformed over the years.
