Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)

Director:

John Frankenheimer
(more)

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:

Prison | Bird | Solitary Confinement | Murderer | Convict

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 5 nominations

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	...	Albert Comstock
Whit Bissell	...	Dr. Ellis
Crahan Denton	...	Kramer
James Westerfield	...	Jess Younger
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert Bailey	...	Reporter on Dock (uncredited)
Nicky Blair	...	Inmate (uncredited)
John Burnside	...	Captain of Marines (uncredited)
Robert Burton	...	Sen. Ham Lewis (uncredited)
Mushy Callahan	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Jimmy Casino	...	Inmate (uncredited)
James Cavanaugh	...	Guard (uncredited)
Lewis Charles	...	Chaplain Wentzel (uncredited)
Noble 'Kid' Chissel	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Nick Dennis	...	Crazed Prisoner (uncredited)
Tom Gilson	...	Bit Part (uncredited)
Raymond Greenleaf	...	Judge (uncredited)
William Hansen	...	Fred Daw (uncredited)
Wayne Heffley	...	Guard (uncredited)
William Hellinger	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Harry Holcombe	...	Editor (uncredited)
John Indrisano	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Harry Jackson	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Pete Kellett	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Len Lesser	...	Burns (uncredited)
Fred Libby	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Mike Mahoney	...	Bit Part (uncredited)
Edward Mallory	...	John Clary (uncredited)
Adrienne Marden	...	Mrs. Woodrow Wilson (uncredited)
Eric Martin	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Michael Masters	...	Guard (uncredited)
Leo V. Matranga	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Kermit Maynard	...	Alcatraz Captain of Guards (uncredited)
Joe McGuinn	...	Bit Part (uncredited)
David McMahon	...	Inmate (uncredited)
George Mitchell	...	Father Matthieu (uncredited)
Pat Moran	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Leo Penn	...	Eddie Kassellis (uncredited)
Chris Robinson	...	Logue (uncredited)
Ben Roseman	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Michael Ross	...	Convict Qualen's Friend (uncredited)
Myrna Ross	...	Bit Part (uncredited)
Art Salter	...	Guard (uncredited)
Ray Spiker	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Irving Steinberg	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Arthur Stewart	...	Guard Captain (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel	...	Alcatraz Guard (uncredited)
Frankie Van	...	Inmate (uncredited)
Anton von Stralen	...	Guard (uncredited)
Robert Williams	...	Guard (uncredited)

Directed by
John Frankenheimer
Charles Crichton		(uncredited)

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

Produced by
Stuart Millar	....	producer
Guy Trosper	....	producer
Harold Hecht	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Elmer Bernstein

Cinematography by
Burnett Guffey
John Alton		(uncredited)

Film Editing by
Edward Mann

Art Direction by
Fernando Carrere		(as Ferdie Carrere)

Makeup Department
Robert J. Schiffer	....	makeup artist (as Robert Schiffer)

Production Management
Gilbert Kurland	....	executive production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Silver	....	assistant director (as Dave Silver)

Sound Department
George Cooper	....	sound
James Nelson	....	special sound effects
Robert A. Reich	....	special sound effects (as Robert Reich)

Camera and Electrical Department
Denis Cameron	....	still photographer (uncredited)
Richard H. Kline	....	camera operator (uncredited)
Harry Sundby	....	electrician (uncredited)

Music Department
Jack Hayes	....	orchestrator (uncredited)
Leo Shuken	....	orchestrator (uncredited)

Other crew
Harold Hecht	....	presenter
Linda Boissinot-Verger	....	(press attache: reissue France 2001 ) (uncredited)
Thomas E. Gaddis	....	technical advisor (uncredited)
A.W. Kennard	....	bird handler (uncredited)
Vincent Paul-Boncour	....	press attache: reissue France 2001 (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Norma Productions

Distributors

• United Artists (1962) (USA) (theatrical) (released through)
• United Artists (1962) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1962) (France) (theatrical) (as Les Artistes Associés)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1964) (USA) (TV)
• MGM/UA Home Video (1995) (USA) (VHS) (included in "The Burt Lancaster Collection" box set)
• MGM/UA Home Video (1996) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• Carlotta Films (2001) (France) (theatrical) (re-release)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (Canada) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2002) (Spain) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2003) (France) (DVD)
• Sunset Home Visual Entertainment (SHE) (2006) (USA) (DVD) (included with "United Artists Cinema Greats Collection")
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2008) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2008) (Italy) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2010) (Canada) (DVD) (combo pack)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD) (combo pack)
• TGG Direct (2010) (USA) (DVD) (included with "Convicts" and "Elmer Gantry")
• TGG Direct (2010) (USA) (DVD) (on double bill with "Elmer Gantry" for Metro--Foldwyn -Mayer Studios and Twenteith Century Fox Home Entertainment)
• TGG Direct (2011) (USA) (DVD)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (198?) (USA) (VHS) (pan and scan)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (19??) (USA) (DVD)
• TGG Direct (200?) (USA) (DVD) (double-billed with "Convicts")

Other Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios  DVD package design
• Ultra Film Synchron  German dubbing

Also Known As:

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) | Portugal:M/12 | 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:

Anachronisms: When Tom Gaddis is waiting for Stroud at the boat landing in 1959, several autos from the early 1960s can be seen.

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:

Featured in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Cheers: America's Most Inspiring Movies (2006) (TV)

Excellent uplifting film in utterly depressing surroundings

Always like Burt Lancaster's acting/entertainment ability, and he doesn't disappoint in "Birdman". I found this movie, whatever it's historical faults notwithstanding, to be an uplifting experience due to the characters ability to rise above the incredibly depressing circumstances of his existence. And, a sad commentary on societies inability to rehabilitate as in "To restore to good health or useful life, as through therapy and education.", those who stray from the straight and narrow. When men are treated with respect, or as animals, they usually respond in kind. Karl Malden's warden character summarized societies treatment of inmates. Whether using carrots or sticks, the end goal was conformity and submission, with true rehabilitation an incidental byproduct should it occur at all. There is little wasted footage in this film, the "quiet" periods mentioned in earlier comments, add to the realism. Think about it, here's a man who spent nearly 50 years of his life in solitary confinement, to do true justice, a silent film would have been more appropriate! Stroud was spared the death penalty by President Wilson, due to his mothers pleading on his behalf. I can't imagine the occupier of the White House today doing anything but smirk at such a request. Not a political statement, just a point of fact. Another point, this film was made while Stroud was still in prison, which he never viewed, and which failed to earn him his release before his death in 1963. Lancaster also played a convict in "Brute Force", one of his earliest films, and a good one.