Birdman of Alcatraz
Seen it?1962 | 147 min | Drama, Crime, History
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (88% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans and history buffs. If you loved The Shawshank Redemption or Cool Hand Luke, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 27 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1962: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.5 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Nominated for 4 Oscars.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 80K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Shawshank Redemption
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed prison crime drama.
Cool Hand Luke Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed prison crime drama.
The Silence of the Lambs Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed prison crime drama.
Bronson Saturday SpecialAnother prison crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
The Green Mile Friday Night FlickAnother much-loved prison crime drama.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by John Frankenheimer
- Burt LancasterRobert Stroud
- Karl MaldenHarvey Shoemaker
- Thelma RitterElizabeth Stroud
- Neville BrandBull Ransom
- Betty FieldStella Johnson
- Telly SavalasFeto Gomez
- Edmond O'BrienTom Gaddis
- Hugh MarloweRoy Comstock
- Whit BissellDr. Ellis
- Crahan DentonKramer