Birdman of Alcatraz

1962 · 147 min · ★ 7.5 / 10 · 359 votes

Drama · Crime · History

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.

Cast

Burt Lancaster · Karl Malden · Thelma Ritter · Neville Brand · Betty Field · Telly Savalas · Edmond O'Brien · Hugh Marlowe · Whit Bissell · Crahan Denton

Director

John Frankenheimer