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Catalog/Biography/Birdman of Alcatraz
Birdman of Alcatraz poster
A
Excellent
MASTER SCORE 73.3 / 100
1962·Biography / Crime / Drama·2h 27m

BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ

“Inside the rock called Alcatraz they tried to chain a volcano they called 'The Bird Man'!”

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.

Above the Line
John Frankenheimer·DirectorGuy Trosper·ScreenplayThomas E. Gaddis·NovelBurnett Guffey·Director of PhotographyElmer Bernstein·Original Music ComposerEdward Mann·Editor
Cast
Burt Lancaster·Robert StroudKarl Malden·Harvey ShoemakerThelma Ritter·Elizabeth StroudNeville Brand·Bull RansomBetty Field·Stella JohnsonTelly Savalas·Feto GomezEdmond O'Brien·Tom GaddisHugh Marlowe·Roy ComstockWhit Bissell·Dr. EllisCrahan Denton·Kramer
Full Crew
(22 credits)
Directing· 2
John Frankenheimer·DirectorDavid Silver·Assistant Director
Writing· 2
Guy Trosper·ScreenplayThomas E. Gaddis·Novel
Camera· 4
Burnett Guffey·Director of PhotographyJohn Alton·Director of PhotographyRichard H. Kline·Camera OperatorJames Saper·Camera Operator
Editing· 1
Edward Mann·Editor
Sound & Music· 6
Elmer Bernstein·Original Music ComposerGeorge Cooper·Sound DesignerJames M. Falkinburg·Special Sound EffectsRobert A. Reich·Special Sound EffectsJack Hayes·OrchestratorLeo Shuken·Orchestrator
Art & Design· 2
Fernando Carrere·Art DirectionRobert J. Schiffer·Makeup Artist
Production· 4
Harold Hecht·Executive ProducerStuart Millar·ProducerGuy Trosper·ProducerGilbert Kurland·Production Manager
Other Departments· 1
Harry Sundby·Electrician
By the Numbers
73.3
OF 100
Master Score
7.8
OF 10
IMDb
91%
CRITICS
Rotten Tomatoes
$3M
ROI 17%
Worldwide Gross
0
4 NOMS
Oscar Wins
Where to Watch

THE AVAILABILITY MAP

The canonical record of where this film lives across the streaming map.

Provider Index In Progress

Streaming, rental, and purchase availability for this title is being ingested from the TMDB watch-providers feed and will appear here once the next catalog refresh runs. Until then, the canonical source links below remain the fastest route.

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Poster DNA

THE VISUAL DECONSTRUCTION

A bespoke vision agent's reading of the design language behind Birdman of Alcatraz's key art.

Dominant Palette
3 colors
#F7F7F7
#E6732B
#000000
Mood
Hopeful, Dramatic
Composition
Split
Era
1960s
Visual Style
Graphic Design

“The poster features a graphic design with an orange background and black vertical bars resembling prison bars. White silhouettes of three birds in flight are de”

dramabiography
Key Elements
Prison BarsBirdsKeyhole
Atmosphere
Vibrant
Color Mood
Warm
Setting
Abstract
Design Score
8/10
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