Poster for the movie Birdman of Alcatraz

Birdman of Alcatraz

1962 • 147 minutes
DramaCrime

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.

Picture of Burt Lancaster

Burt Lancaster

Robert Stroud

Picture of Karl Malden

Karl Malden

Harvey Shoemaker

Picture of Thelma Ritter

Thelma Ritter

Elizabeth Stroud

Picture of Neville Brand

Neville Brand

Bull Ransom

Picture of Betty Field

Betty Field

Stella Johnson

Picture of Telly Savalas

Telly Savalas

Feto Gomez

Picture of Edmond O'Brien

Edmond O'Brien

Tom Gaddis

Picture of Hugh Marlowe

Hugh Marlowe

Roy Comstock

Picture of Whit Bissell

Whit Bissell

Dr. Ellis

Picture of Crahan Denton

Crahan Denton

Kramer

Picture of James Westerfield

James Westerfield

Jess Younger

Picture of Robert Bailey

Robert Bailey

Reporter on Dock (uncredited)

Picture of Nicky Blair

Nicky Blair

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of Mushy Callahan

Mushy Callahan

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of James J. Casino

James J. Casino

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of Noble 'Kid' Chissell

Noble 'Kid' Chissell

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of John Indrisano

John Indrisano

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of Pete Kellett

Pete Kellett

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of David McMahon

David McMahon

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of Pat Moran

Pat Moran

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of Ben Roseman

Ben Roseman

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of Frankie Van

Frankie Van

Inmate (uncredited)

Picture of Robert Burton

Robert Burton

Sen. Ham Lewis (uncredited)

Picture of Lewis Charles

Lewis Charles

Chaplain Wentzel (uncredited)

Picture of Nick Dennis

Nick Dennis

Crazed Prisoner (uncredited)

Picture of Mike Mahoney

Mike Mahoney

Bit Part (uncredited)

Picture of Raymond Greenleaf

Raymond Greenleaf

Judge (uncredited)

Picture of William Hansen

William Hansen

Fred Daw (uncredited)

Picture of Wayne Heffley

Wayne Heffley

Guard (uncredited)

Picture of Michael Masters

Michael Masters

Guard (uncredited)

Picture of Joe McGuinn

Joe McGuinn

Guard (uncredited)

Picture of Victor Romito

Victor Romito

Guard (uncredited)

Picture of Anton von Stralen

Anton von Stralen

Guard (uncredited)

Picture of Robert B. Williams

Robert B. Williams

Guard (uncredited)

Picture of William Hoehne Jr.

William Hoehne Jr.

Guard Kenny (uncredited)

Picture of Dale Van Sickel

Dale Van Sickel

Alcatraz Guard (uncredited)

Picture of Kermit Maynard

Kermit Maynard

Alcatraz Captain of Guards (uncredited)

Picture of Harry Holcombe

Harry Holcombe

Editor (uncredited)

Picture of Fred Libby

Fred Libby

Reporter (uncredited)

Picture of Len Lesser

Len Lesser

Burns (uncredited)

Picture of Edward Mallory

Edward Mallory

John Clary (uncredited)

Picture of Adrienne Marden

Adrienne Marden

Mrs. Woodrow Wilson (uncredited)

Picture of George Mitchell

George Mitchell

Father Matthieu (uncredited)

Picture of Leo Penn

Leo Penn

Eddie Kassellis (uncredited)

Picture of Chris Robinson

Chris Robinson

Logue (uncredited)

Picture of Michael Ross

Michael Ross

Convict Qualen's Friend (uncredited)

Picture of Phil Schumacher

Phil Schumacher

Detective (uncredited)

Picture of Ray Spiker

Ray Spiker

Appleton - Murdered Guard (uncredited)

Picture of Harry Jackson

Harry Jackson

Reporter (uncredited)

Picture of Raoul Freeman

Raoul Freeman

Guard (uncredited)