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Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
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Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

1980-11-05 · 196 min · ★ 5.5

Crime · Drama · Action · TV Movie

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.

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Production details

Directors
Paul Krasny
Production companies
Pierre Cossette Enterprises
Countries
United States of America
Status
Released

Top Cast

Michael BeckMichael BeckClarence Carnes
Art CarneyArt CarneyRobert Stroud
Alex KarrasAlex KarrasJughead Miller
Telly SavalasTelly SavalasCretzer
Will SampsonWill SampsonClarence's Father
Ronny CoxRonny CoxBernard Coy
Richard LynchRichard LynchSam Shockley
Robert DaviRobert DaviHubbard
John AmosJohn AmosBumpy Johnson
James MacArthurJames MacArthurWalt Stomer
Ed LauterEd LauterFrank Morris
Joe PantolianoJoe PantolianoRay Neal
Louis GiambalvoLouis GiambalvoClarence Anglin
Jeffrey TamborJeffrey TamborDankworth
Paul ManteePaul ManteeOrdway
Charles AidmanCharles AidmanWarden Johnson
Jack RaderJack RaderWeinhold
Walter MathewsCorwin
Spencer MilliganSpencer MilliganFred Haskell
Sidney CluteSidney CluteMiller

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