Birdman of Alcatraz

Starring:Burt Lancaster, Karl Malden, Thelma Ritter, Neville Brand, Betty Field, Telly Savalas, Edmond O'Brien, Hugh Marlowe, Whit Bissell, Crahan Denton, James Westerfield, William Hansen, George Mitchell (II), Raymond Greenleaf, Harry Jackson (IV), Robert Bailey, Dale Van Sickel, Arthur Stewart, Lewis Charles, Len Lesser
Director: John Frankenheimer
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

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John Frankenheimer scored his first success with this, his third theatrical feature and his second collaboration with producer-star Burt Lancaster (they would make five films together all told). Lancaster delivers an angry, brooding performance as real-life criminal Robert Stroud, a violent killer who, while in solitary confinement, became an internationally recognized authority on birds and their diseases. Based on the book by Thomas E. Gaddis, Frankenheimer creates a portrait of a withdrawn, antisocial prisoner who discovers his own potential after reluctantly rescuing a wounded sparrow from a storm and nursing it back to health. Lancaster's quiet portrayal comes from his eyes and restrained body language, earning him his second Oscar nomination. Costars Telly Savalas (as the talkative "neighbor" from the cell next door) and Thelma Ritter (as his controlling mother) were also nominated, but Frankenheimer's sensitive direction draws equally fine performances from Neville Brand, playing against type as the prison guard who slowly befriends Stroud, and Karl Malden as the tough warden whose ideas of confinement and punishment prompted Stroud to follow-up his studies of birds with a treatise on prison reform. This somber, subdued tale offers no truly happy ending, but it does present a powerful portrait of one man's efforts to earn back his dignity and respect in the worst of conditions. --Sean Axmaker

Description

How does bitter convict Robert Stroud cope with a lifetime of solitary confinement? The answer, in a sense, comes from abovein the form of a feeble sparrow he finds in the isolation yard. Stroud brings this newfound companion to his cell, nurses it to health and, from that point on, there's no turning back. Despite having only a third-grade education, and no hope of parole, Stroud becomes a renowned ornithologistand achieves a greater sense of freedom and purpose behind prison walls than many in the outside world will ever know. The "finest prison picture ever made" (Variety), this inspirational and compelling classic stars Burt Lancaster in an OscarÂ(r)-nominated* performance as Stroudthe convict who, in his power to heal birds, finds the power to heal himself. *1962: Actor

Customer Reviews:

Birdman of Alcatraz.......2007-06-27

Based on the book by Tom Gaddis, who first told Stroud's remarkable story to the world, this involving tale of a caustic, antisocial man whose prison cell becomes a veritable bird sanctuary is beautifully directed by Frankenheimer. Lancaster's brooding, restrained performance steers clear of gushing sentiment, earning him an Oscar nod. Malden is excellent, too, as the peeved warden who makes it his duty to "punish" Stroud--and who gets his chance when the birdman gets transferred to "the Rock." Oscar nominees Thelma Ritter (as Harvey's mom) and Telly Savalas (as fellow inmate Feto Gomez) raise the film a notch with colorful supporting work. This "Birdman" flies high.

oh if i had the wings of a canary over these prison walls i would fly ..........2007-03-30

poor burt lancaster had just won an oscar 2 years before, and he was running up against gregory peck, peter o'toole, marcello mastroianni, and jack lemmon (robert preston in "music man" wasnt even nominated!) so truth be told he really had no chance of winning in this marvelous semi-accurate biopic of murderer-turned-ornithologist robert stroud. while the movie takes considerable liberties with the facts (stroud was much more an SOB than the sympathetic character lancaster portrays) it is on its own terms an eloquent argument for fairness -- even for those barely meriting same. strong supporting performances from karl malden, thelma ritter, and the still-hairy-headed telly savalas. good picture.

Etched in my mind.......2007-02-04

This is one of those movies that I first saw as a boy in the '60's and would watch every chance I got, which was 2-3 times. It's on PBS tonight so I'm excited to see it again.

Birdman of Alcatraz.......2007-01-10

I purchased the DVD for my brother, as a Christmas present. It has been many years since I have seen it, but remember that it was a very good movie. My brother whom I bought the DVD for, raves about the movie.

"Take a Bite Out of the Stars for Me".......2006-08-27

This classic B&W film, one of nearly 80 flicks made by the ever-versatile Lancaster (1913-94), bears the sober and important distinction of NOT being true-to-life, to the real Robert "Birdman" Stroud, who was a vicious and dangerous man who deserved to die in prison. Nevermind. It's an inspirational story that shows the potential for a human being to evolve and maintain his integrity under dreadful circumstances.

Since 1962 when the film was made, our prison system hasn't changed one iota. Rehabilitation is a matter of luck, not public policy, with recidivism rates climbing. Viewed as a social document of the sixties, it parallels the terrible Attica riots, and shows the corruptibility of everyone, a microcosm of life. Stroud's place as a genius in the avian world is the most exciting facet of the movie. He enters prison as a defiant young killer with no manners or humility who develops himself through his self-taught absorption into the biology of the caged bird. Through his love of birds, he comes to love himself and fellow man, and in his characteristically flat tones speaks to one of the birds he sets free, "Take a bite out of the stars for me."

Because of his truly homicidal nature, Robert Stroud himself could never be set free, but was allowed later in life to roam among the meadows of a locked facility until his death. Superb love angle with his wife, whom he insisted on setting free, and the contrast against his own jealous mother, whose motives he finally began to understand. Remember, this is a deep movie about self-understanding.

Also filled with other meaningful characterizations - and hello there, Telly Savalas & Karl Malden, nice to see you both again!

Average customer rating:

Birdman of Alcatraz
oh if i had the wings of a canary over these prison walls i would fly ...
Etched in my mind
Birdman of Alcatraz
"Take a Bite Out of the Stars for Me"

Birdman of Alcatraz [Region 2]
Starring: Burt Lancaster , Karl Malden , Thelma Ritter , Neville Brand , and Betty Field
Director: John Frankenheimer
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0000634CH

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Birdman of Alcatraz.......2007-06-27

oh if i had the wings of a canary over these prison walls i would fly ..........2007-03-30

Etched in my mind.......2007-02-04

This is one of those movies that I first saw as a boy in the '60's and would watch every chance I got, which was 2-3 times. It's on PBS tonight so I'm excited to see it again.

Birdman of Alcatraz.......2007-01-10

"Take a Bite Out of the Stars for Me".......2006-08-27

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