Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980)

Somewhat fact-based story of the lives and attempted 1962 escape of several inmates in the famous correctional facility. Young inmate Clarence Carnes masterminds a grand escape involving ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Krasny

Writers:

Ernest Tidyman (teleplay), Clarence Carnes (based on a story by),

Stars:

Michael Beck, Art Carney, Alex Karras

Cast

Credited cast:
Michael Beck	...	Clarence Carnes
Art Carney	...	Robert Stroud
Alex Karras	...	Jughead Miller
Telly Savalas	...	Cretzer
Will Sampson	...	Clarence's Father
Ronny Cox	...	Bernard Coy
Richard Lynch	...	Sam Shockley
Robert Davi	...	Hubbard
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Charles Aidman	...	Warden Johnson
John Amos	...	Bumpy Johnson
G.W. Bailey	...	Holfeld
David Boyle	...	Guard
John Chappell	...	Sheriff's Deputy
Al Cingolani	...	Carroll
Sidney Clute	...	Miller

Storyline

Somewhat fact-based story of the lives and attempted 1962 escape of several inmates in the famous correctional facility. Young inmate Clarence Carnes masterminds a grand escape involving several inmates who have nothing to lose, serving life sentences.

---

Plot Keywords:

inmate | escape | prison | criminal | armed robbery | 

---

Taglines:

At 18, Carnes is the youngest man to be sent to The Rock, yet he vows he'll create the ultimate escape plan -- or die trying!

---

Genres:

Action | Drama | Crime

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 November 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alcatraz and Clarence Carnes

Filming Locations:

Alcatraz Prison, Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pierre Cossette Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

196 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real Clarence Carnes worked as a consultant on this project.

---

Goofs

When Carnes arrives at Alcatraz in 1945, there's an establishing shot of the island from the prison launch. You can clearly see that the warden's mansion is a burned out shell. (This happened in the Occupation of Alcatraz by American Indians from 1969-1971.) In 1945, the warden's mansion was intact and being used.

---

Quotes

Clarence Carnes: [Runs past Stroud's cell and sees him standing passively, when the doors to D-Block's cells are opened during the 1946 escape attempt. He runs back] Come on! You're free!
Robert Stroud: [calmly] I'm not going anywhere.
Clarence Carnes: Come on man, let's go!
Robert Stroud: Guys like them boys do things the hard way, don't they?
[sits down on his bunk and picks up the book he'd been reading before the commotion began]
Robert Stroud: They'll be dead before sundown; and a lot of other poor, ignorant fools with them. Maybe you too, son.
Clarence Carnes: But... You're in this ...
[...]

User Reviews

Michael Beck Gives an Outstanding Performance...

I have to agree that this is truly "the best Alcatraz movie ever made." The film follows the prison life of young Clarence Carnes played perfectly by Michael Beck(The Warriors, Triumphs of a Man Called Horse)who gives an outstanding performance. I was lucky enough to catch this movie on Encore's True Stories Channel. Clarence Carnes was the youngest man sent to Alcatraz and carried with him a record of trying to escape every jail he's ever been in. His character manages to show different emotions allowing the audience to truly feel for him. He never loses hope of escaping and proves that he's smart enough to pull it off if he wanted to. As years go by, he gains more and more respect and recognition. Art Carney(The Honeymooners) contributes greatly to the supporting cast offering memorable dialogue with Beck. If you have never seen this movie or want to see it again, be on the look out for some familiar faces, Joe Pantoliano, G.W. Bailey, and many others. The story is captivating and truly moving.I was two years old when this movie first came out and I saw if for the second time a few months ago. The tale of hope and the power of knowledge is timeless. If you want to see an Alcatraz movie worthy of the highest rating, this is it, "Alcatraz - The Whole Shocking Story."