Birdman of Alcatraz

Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)

Genres - Drama, Crime, Historical Film  |   Sub-Genres - Prison Film, Biopic [feature], Psychological Drama  |   Release Date - Jul 3, 1962 (USA - Unknown), Jul 4, 1962 (USA)  |   Run Time - 147 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Don Kaye

In this film based on a true story, Burt Lancaster plays Robert Stroud, a withdrawn prison inmate who cures a sick bird that flies into his cell and eventually becomes a world-renowned ornithologist -- all while serving a life sentence.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.

Characteristics

Keywords

achievement, atrocity, birds, convict, human-rights, love, prison, reform [improve], romance, warden

Attributes

High Artistic Quality, High Production Values