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Birdman of Alcatraz
1962
Burt Lancaster reteams with John Frankenheimer, starring as the title character, Robert E. Stroud. Sentenced to a dozen years in prison for killing a man in 1909, he loses any chance for parole by stabbing another prisoner. Incarcerated in Leavenworth, he adds to his problems by killing a prison guard for refusing to let his .. Read more
| Starring | Hugh Marlowe, James Westerfield, Karl Malden, Burt Lancaster |
|---|---|
| Director | John Frankenheimer |
| Genres | Drama |
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Birdman of Alcatraz
Burt Lancaster reteams with John Frankenheimer, starring as the title character, Robert E. Stroud. Sentenced to a dozen years in prison for killing a man in 1909, he loses any chance for parole by stabbing another prisoner. Incarcerated in Leavenworth, he adds to his problems by killing a prison guard for refusing to let his mother (Thelma Ritter) visit him and is sentenced to death. His mother begs Mrs. Woodrow Wilson to intercede, and the president commutes Stroud's sentence to life in isolation, under the gaze of the harsh warden Harvey Shoemaker (Karl Malden). One day in the isolation yard he comes across a wounded sparrow, nurses it back to health, and eventually teaches it to perform tricks. With the departure of Shoemaker, Stroud is allowed to have more birds in his cell and begins a study of them. As the years pass, he becomes an expert on caged birds, finally writing a book on the diseases to which they are susceptible. After he wins a prize in a magazine competition, he receives a visit from Stella Johnson (Betty Field), who suggests they start a business manufacturing avian medicine. Backed by an outstanding cast, Lancaster gives one of his finest performances in this moving account of a vicious killer's spiritual rebirth.
| Starring | Hugh Marlowe, James Westerfield, Karl Malden, Burt Lancaster, Thelma Ritter, Neville Brand, Edmund O'Brien, Betty Field, Telly Savalas |
|---|---|
| Director | John Frankenheimer |
| Studio | MGM ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 22 mins LOVEFiLM Instant: 2 hrs 22 mins |
| Certificate |  DVD LOVEFiLM Instant |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English LOVEFiLM Instant: English |
| Released | Production year: 1962 On LOVEFiLM Instant: LOVEFiLM Instant: 04 Dec 2010 To Rent: DVD: 15 Apr 2002 |
| LOVEFiLM Instant | £2.49 |
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Most helpful member's review
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- 4
- 0
one faultless film
a fantastic piece of acting if ever there was one - and a story touching beyond words. if you want a classic piece of b&w cinema then you can't do much... read more »
- 12560
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[Highly rated reviewer]
- a customer
- London
- 27 Jul 2004 at 19:58
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Most recent members' reviews
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- 1
- 0
Must see classic
This is a classic prison film, one of the best, although the title is s a bit of a misnomer, in that Robert ... read more »
- 375146
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- Cato
- 589 reviews
- Lydbury North
- 17 Oct 2006 at 17:05
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- 4
- 0
Thoughtful cinema.
Interesting, thought-provoking film. No action-packed thriller this, but a steady, thoughtful film about a troubled man's inner world. Lancaster is ... read more »
- 196316
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- a customer
- Devon, England
- 20 Jan 2006 at 01:35
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- 1
- 0
A Classic
Excellent film. Simple, but brilliant storyline. Burt Lancaster is sublime. Would give it 10 stars if I had the chance.
- 106848
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- a customer
- Lancashire
- 24 May 2005 at 08:24
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Birdman of Alcatraz
Burt Lancaster reteams with John Frankenheimer, starring as the title character, Robert E. Stroud. Sentenced to a dozen years in prison for killing a man in 1909, he loses any chance for parole by stabbing another prisoner. Incarcerated in Leavenworth, he adds to his problems by killing a prison ...
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