Burt Lancaster portrays convict Robert Stroud in director John Frankenheimer's gripping fact-based drama, Birdman of Alcatraz. With Karl Malden and Thelma Ritter.

Convicted murderer Robert Stroud is dramatically played by Burt Lancaster in United Artists' classic prison drama, Birdman of Alcatraz. Karl Malden plays Stroud's adversary, Warden Harvey Shoemaker, with Thelma Ritter, Neville Brand, Betty Field and Telly Savalas in captive support.

Based on the Book by Thomas E. Gaddis

Birdman of Alcatraz is based on the 1955 book of the same name by Thomas E. Gaddis (1908-1984). An educator, prison consultant and psychologist, Gaddis had also co-authored (with James Long) the 1970 book, Killer: A Journal of Murder, the story of convicted Oregon serial killer Carl Panzram. The latter was later turned into a movie as well in 1996, with James Woods in the title role.

Screenplay and Director

Birdman of Alcatraz was adapted for the screen by Guy Trosper. Directing the picture was John Frankenheimer, who had begun his career on the small screen, notching up credits on such respected television fare as Climax!, Studio One and Playhouse 90.

The Cast

Birdman of Alcatraz featured Burt Lancaster as Robert Stroud. In principal support were 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) and Whit Bissell (Dr. Ellis).

Alcatraz Used for Filming

Birdman of Alcatraz was filmed primarily at United Artists Studios. The exterior scenes were actual shots of Alcatraz Prison, situated 1 1/4 milies off the coast of San Francisco.

Officially opening its doors as a federal penitentiary in 1934, Alcatraz housed some of America's most notorious criminals, including Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Alvin Karpis, Doc Barker and Morton Sobell. In 1963, Alcatraz -- a.k.a. "The Rock" -- closed its iron doors for good.

Robert Stroud (1890-1963) was housed at Alcatraz from 1942 to 1959. And despite his famous moniker, Stroud was only allowed to keep his birds at Leavenworth, and not on Alcatraz.

Burt Lancaster as Stroud on Alcatraz

Birdman of Alcatraz presents a fictionalized account of Robert Stroud, who in 1909 kills a man in Alaska over a prostitute. At Leavenworth, Stroud knifes a prison guard seven years later and is condemned to death.

Intervening on Stroud's behalf is his mother, who meets with First Lady Edith Wilson. With his sentence now commuted to life in prison, Stroud is visited by a sick bird one day who takes refuge in his cell. Using a homemade medicine, Stroud nurses the bird back to health.

In time, Stroud becomes one of the world's foremost ornithologists, authoring a textbook on bird diseases and cures. Later, Stroud is visited by a lonely widow, Stella Johnson, resulting in friction between the convict and his mother.

Stroud's uneasy relationship with Warden Harvey Shoemaker later culminates at Alcatraz, where the two meet up again. Told that he can no longer keep his birds, Stroud now begins writing a book on prison life and the abuses perpetrated by the authorities.

In 1946, when a riot breaks out, Stroud proves instrumental in helping Alcatraz officials diffuse the tense standoff. Later, Stroud finally makes it off "The Rock," meeting author Tom Gaddis before he is transferred to the federal prison in Springfield, Missouri.

Release, Reviews, Awards, DVD

Birdman of Alcatraz was released on July 3, 1962.

"The finest 'prison' picture ever made..." said Variety (6/20/62).

"An absorbing film that is deceptively calm and emotionally powerful..." wrote Time magazine (7/20/62).

"The facts of Stroud's case seem poor material for a film, and unfortunately the picture confirms this," reported The New Republic (8/13/62). Echoing that opinion was then-Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, who stated in a 1962 press release that the true facts surrounding Stroud demonstrated that he was still a dangerous man and unfit to return to society.

Birdman of Alcatraz garnered four Academy Award nominations: Best Actor (Lancaster), Best Supporting Actor (Telly Savalas), Best Supporting Actress (Thelma Ritter), Best Cinematography/B&W (Burnett Guffey).

Birdman of Alcatraz was released on DVD in 2001 by MGM/UA Video. Along with the 1951 sports drama, Jim Thorpe - All American, Birdman of Alcatraz represents one of Burt Lancaster's finest biographical portrayals.