Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writers:

Guy Trosper (screenplay)
Thomas E. Gaddis (book)

Release Date:

3 July 1962 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

now the world will know the story of the most defiant man alive!

Plot:

A surly convicted murderer held in permanent isolation redeems himself when he becomes a renowned bird expert.

Plot Keywords:

Bird | Prison | Convict | Solitary Confinement | Murderer

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 5 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Feb. 10

11:30 PM

TCM

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Burt Lancaster	...	Robert Franklin Stroud
Karl Malden	...	Harvey Shoemaker
Thelma Ritter	...	Elizabeth Stroud
Neville Brand	...	Bull Ransom
Betty Field	...	Stella Johnson
Telly Savalas	...	Feto Gomez
Edmond O'Brien	...	Thomas E. 'Tom' Gaddis
Hugh Marlowe	...	Roy Comstock
Whit Bissell	...	Dr. Ellis
Crahan Denton	...	Kramer
James Westerfield	...	Jess Younger

Runtime:

147 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Norway:16 (1962) | West Germany:16 (f) | France:U | UK:A (original rating) | Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, California, USA

Company:

Norma Productions

Trivia:

According to the biography of Robert Stroud on the Court TV website, he killed the prison guard because he was denied a visit from his brother, not his mother as portrayed in the film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the opening line, a tour guide tells the people on the tour boat that Alcatraz's inmates have included "Al Capone, Baby Face Nelson, and Machine Gun Kelly." In fact, Baby Face Nelson (aka Lester Gillis) was never incarcerated at Alcatraz. He was killed in a gunfight with FBI agents in 1934, the same year Alcatraz opened as a prison.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Tour guide: ...during which you will see all of the man-made and natural beauties, the most spectacular bay in the world. You'll pass beneath the famous Golden Gate Bridge, considered by most authorities to be one of the most striking structures ever erected by man...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Magnum, P.I.: Birdman of Budapest (#3.16)" (1983)

Good & Bad News About The "Birdman"

GOOD NEWS: This is a riveting film start-to-finish, which is hard to do considering it runs over two hours. Burt Lancaster, one of the better actors, perhaps, of all time, gives a tremendous and very memorable performance. It's a cliché but this IS one story you will not forget!

Director John Frrankenheimer also is one of the best ever. Check out his resume, if you question that last statement. He has some masterful camera shots in here. In addition to the talents of the director and main actor, you have Karl Malden,Thelma Ritter, Telly Savalas and Edmond O'Brien - no slouches they - in solid supporting roles. The DVD also helps highlight the wonderful black-and-white photography.

Most prison stories are bleak and depressing. This one is not. Oh, it has some melodrama and a few tough scenes which include prison violence, but generally it is a fascinating character study....and, even for those of you who are not bird lovers, full of interesting information about our feathered friends. How they trained the birds to do some things in here also is amazing.

BAD NEWS: What a disappointment to do some research about the real "birdman," Robert Stroud. It turns out, as other reviewers have noted, the man was a sleaze-bag. No sense going into details since some of them are simply revolting. For those who simply want to remember this as a great movie and a great performance by Lancaster, do yourself a favor and leave it at that. In this case, ignorance IS bliss!