Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
1980 · Movie · 3h 16m
The read
It runs long at 3h 16m.
Synopsis
Filmed on location at Alcatraz Island, this two-part "whole story" actually concentrates on a handful of the denizens behind the cold grey walls of "The Rock". Michael Beck plays the real-life Clarence Carnes, an Oklahoma Choctaw Indian said to be the youngest man ever incarcerated in the notorious maximum security prison. Serving a 99-year sentence for a gas station holdup and murder, Carnes makes periodic attempts to escape, the final attempt being the most violent. Many of the subordinate characters are fictional (as are most of the details concerning Carnes' escape efforts); the one exception is Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz", here portrayed by Art Carney as a gentle, kindly philosopher. Telly Savalas, a costar of the Burt Lancaster vehicle Birdman of Alcatraz, also guest starred in the 1980 film. Originally titled Alcatraz and Clarence Carnes, this made-for-TV movie wavers between gritty realism and "I'm bustin' outta here!" artifice.
Ratings
4 audience votes
Key crew
- Paul KrasnyDirector
Cast
- Michael BeckClarence Carnes
- Art CarneyRobert Stroud
- Alex KarrasJughead Miller
- Telly SavalasCretzer
- Will SampsonClarence's Father
- Ronny CoxBernard Coy
- Richard LynchSam Shockley
- Robert DaviHubbard
- John AmosBumpy Johnson
- James MacArthurWalt Stomer
- Ed LauterFrank Morris
- Joe PantolianoRay Neal
