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Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
3 July 1962 (USA)
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Tagline:
now the world will know the story of the most defiant man alive! more
Plot:
A surly convicted murderer held in permanent isolation redeems himself when he becomes a renowned bird expert. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars.
Another 5 wins
&
5 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(7 articles)
Karl Malden Passes Away at the Age of 97
(From Rope Of Silicon. 1 July 2009, 5:34 PM, PDT)
7 Strange Ways To Survive The Slammer
(From TotalFilm. 13 March 2009, 5:42 AM, PDT)
(From Rope Of Silicon. 1 July 2009, 5:34 PM, PDT)
7 Strange Ways To Survive The Slammer
(From TotalFilm. 13 March 2009, 5:42 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Story of one man who has many others like him.
more (55 total)
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 |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
147 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
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:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The real Alcatraz is seen only from exterior views from the boat, or is shown from the shore dockside. All the rest of the views of Alcatraz in the movie were produced on sets located in Los Angeles.
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Goofs:
Errors in geography: Early in the film, in an exterior shot when Elizabeth Stroud is in Washington DC to campaign for her son's death sentence to be commuted, California's mountains can be seen in the background.
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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...
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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...
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Charles Grodin/Paul Simon (#3.4)" (1977)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (55 total)
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John Frankenheimers 1962 film about a convicted double murderer who turns his half-life into something meaningful by becoming an expert on the diseases of birds. Although this is not a completely accurate tale of Robert Stroud who became known as The Birdman of Alcatraz the performance of Burt Lancaster makes it a classic film of the human-interest story genre. Genuine WWII hero turned actor Neville Brand likewise turns in a strong performance as a stern yet sympathetic guard at the Leavenworth Penitentiary. Karl Malden is cast as the by the book bureaucratic prison official who's life continues to cross paths with the incarcerated Stroud. Veteran character actress Thelma Ritter is Strouds over protective mother who will do anything for her loving son realizing that where he is is probably the best place for him.
The film strangely shows the mental capabilities of a person and how much someone can achieve when one wishes to. The Stroud character has only an elementary school education at the films beginning yet applies himself to obtain knowledge equal to that of a college educated individual.
Although the story takes place in a prison this is not just a prison picture but more of a story of one man conquering his own ignorance by reaching into himself and casting out the demons that put him in the situation that he must live with. There are perhaps many such people in this countries prisons who have done similar as the main character in this movie.