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Birdman of Alcatraz
Directed by
John Frankenheimer
Not Rated
1962
2h 27m
Drama
,
Biography
,
and more
7.8
88%
85%
Add to Watchlist
A surly convicted murderer held in permanent isolation redeems himself when he becomes a renowned bird expert.
More
Where to Watch Birdman of Alcatraz
Fawesome
Free
Freevee
Free
Hoopla
Free
+8 more
Cast of Birdman of Alcatraz
Burt Lancaster
Robert Stroud
Karl Malden
Harvey Shoemaker
Thelma Ritter
Elizabeth Stroud
Neville Brand
Bull Ransom
Betty Field
Stella Johnson
Telly Savalas
Feto Gomez
Edmond O'Brien
Tom Gaddis
Hugh Marlowe
Roy Comstock
Whit Bissell
Dr. Ellis
Crahan Denton
Kramer
James Westerfield
Jess Younger
Robert Bailey
Reporter on Dock (uncredited)
Nicky Blair
Inmate (uncredited)
Mushy Callahan
Inmate (uncredited)
James J. Casino
Inmate (uncredited)
Noble 'Kid' Chissell
Inmate (uncredited)
John Indrisano
Inmate (uncredited)
Pete Kellett
Inmate (uncredited)
David McMahon
Inmate (uncredited)
Pat Moran
Inmate (uncredited)
Ben Roseman
Inmate (uncredited)
Frankie Van
Inmate (uncredited)
Robert Burton
Sen. Ham Lewis (uncredited)
Lewis Charles
Chaplain Wentzel (uncredited)
Nick Dennis
Crazed Prisoner (uncredited)
Mike Mahoney
Bit Part (uncredited)
Raymond Greenleaf
Judge (uncredited)
William Hansen
Fred Daw (uncredited)
Wayne Heffley
Guard (uncredited)
Michael Masters
Guard (uncredited)
Joe McGuinn
Guard (uncredited)
Victor Romito
Guard (uncredited)
Anton von Stralen
Guard (uncredited)
Robert B. Williams
Guard (uncredited)
William Hoehne Jr.
Guard Kenny (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel
Alcatraz Guard (uncredited)
Kermit Maynard
Alcatraz Captain of Guards (uncredited)
Harry Holcombe
Editor (uncredited)
Fred Libby
Reporter (uncredited)
Len Lesser
Burns (uncredited)
Edward Mallory
John Clary (uncredited)
Adrienne Marden
Mrs. Woodrow Wilson (uncredited)
George Mitchell
Father Matthieu (uncredited)
Leo Penn
Eddie Kassellis (uncredited)
Chris Robinson
Logue (uncredited)
Michael Ross
Convict Qualen's Friend (uncredited)
Phil Schumacher
Detective (uncredited)
Ray Spiker
Appleton - Murdered Guard (uncredited)
Harry Jackson
Reporter (uncredited)
Raoul Freeman
Guard (uncredited)
John Frankenheimer
Director
Guy Trosper
Writer / Producer
Thomas E. Gaddis
Writer
Stuart Millar
Producer
Birdman of Alcatraz Ratings & Reviews
Mister Arn
May 19, 2025
Birdman of Alcatraz has its moments, but it's not very entertaining.
Gone With The Twins
Mike Massie
His story may be consequential, but the execution here, primarily with pacing, is woefully detrimental to a cinematic appeal.
Stream on Demand
Sean Axmaker
[Burt] Lancaster delivers an angry, brooding performance as real life criminal Robert Stroud, a violent killer who developed into an internationally recognized authority on birds and their diseases while in solitary confinement.
Film Frenzy
Matt Brunson
Burt Lancaster goes from coiled tension in the first half of this exemplary motion picture to beatific acceptance during the second part.
Esquire Magazine
Dwight MacDonald
The drama of his gradually converting his cell into a laboratory for the study of bird diseases is sure-fire material and Mr. Frankenheimer does justice to it; but it tails off at end into more prison melodrama.
Backseat Mafia
Rob Aldam
It's a wonderful biopic and a lesson in persistence and hope.
FanboyNation.com
Sean Mulvihill
Birdman of Alcatraz is a quiet, contemplative work by a great director just as he's starting to work at the top of his game. It features some of the era's best black and white cinematography and a career-best performance by a screen legend.
CinePassion
Fernando F. Croce
An exhaustive abstraction of the John Frankenheimer social outcast
EmanuelLevy.Com
Emanuel Levy
Frankenheimer's compelling, if slightly fictionalized biopic of Robert Stroud is extremely wel acted by Burt Lancaster and the rest of the cast, including Thelma Ritter and Telly Savalas.
Film Threat
Felix Vasquez Jr.
This preachy bio pic is a hokey take on the birdman with Lancaster being misused on every occasion.
New York Times
A.H. Weiler
Birdman of Alcatraz avoids the norm and has been fashioned with subtlety and care for characterization that is memorable and refreshing.
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Ken Hanke
Absorbing biopic.
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Bob Bloom
Lancaster is wonderful; a tribute to the human spirit.
Apollo Guide
Dan Jardine
Lancaster's brilliant performance anchors Frankenheimer's fine film, a liberal-minded, optimistic celebration of the power of redemption.
Watch Birdman of Alcatraz Videos
Birdman Of Alcatraz
Birdman Of Alcatraz
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Birdman Of Alcatraz (Trailer 2)
Birdman Of Alcatraz (Trailer 2)
Trailer
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