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.
Cast
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)
Crew
John Frankenheimer
Director
Guy Trosper
Screenplay, Producer
Thomas E. Gaddis
Novel
Edward Mann
Editor
Burnett Guffey
Director of Photography
John Alton
Director of Photography
David Silver
Assistant Director
Harold Hecht
Executive Producer
Stuart Millar
Producer
Richard H. Kline
Camera Operator
James Saper
Camera Operator
Robert J. Schiffer
Makeup Artist
George Cooper
Sound Designer
Elmer Bernstein
Original Music Composer
Harry Sundby
Electrician
James M. Falkinburg
Special Sound Effects
Robert A. Reich
Special Sound Effects
Gilbert Kurland
Production Manager
Fernando Carrere
Art Direction
Jack Hayes
Orchestrator
Leo Shuken
Orchestrator
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