
Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
1980-11-05 · 196 min · ★ 5.5
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 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
Louis GiambalvoClarence Anglin
Jeffrey TamborDankworth
Paul ManteeOrdway
Charles AidmanWarden Johnson
Jack RaderWeinhold
Spencer MilliganFred Haskell
Sidney CluteMillerTitle information and images are supplied by TMDb. Explore our discovery guide for advice on comparing metadata and legal viewing options.
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