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Birdman of Alcatraz

Burt Lancaster (Actor), Karl Malden (Actor), John Frankenheimer (Director) Format: Blu-ray
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 684 ratings
IMDb7.8/10.0
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February 27, 2018 		—
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November 11, 2014 		— —
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Birdman of Alcatraz $3.89 $14.99
Format Black & White, Anamorphic
Contributor John Frankenheimer, Karl Malden, Burt Lancaster
Language English
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Product Description

A surly convicted murderer held in permanent isolation redeems himself when he becomes a renowned bird expert.

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.1 x 5.42 x 0.58 inches; 2.93 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ John Frankenheimer
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ Black & White, Anamorphic
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ November 11, 2014
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Burt Lancaster, Karl Malden
  • Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ English
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ Twilight Time
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00PNV8SIW
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 684 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
684 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

K. L. H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Good buy
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2023
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The disc is in very good shape and the price was right. Hard to find movie on DVD.
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Retired Teacher
5.0 out of 5 stars Great movie
Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2023
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If you like Bert Lancaster you'll love this movie. I remember watching it when I was a kid and being amazed at what the character accomplished in his prison time.
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Margaret
5.0 out of 5 stars Prisons are not always the most favored place to be
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023
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My favorite actor in a great movie. One of my favorites! He puts up with a lot of political #&@+# while serving his sentence. Very illuminating of the old prison system! Recommended it to everyone who has a caring bone in their body!
2 people found this helpful
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submariner
4.0 out of 5 stars If you are captivated by the prison escapees in NYC you need to see this movie!
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2015
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If you have been captivated by the prisoner escape in New York now is the time for you to watch this classic. It is based on the true life of a man sentenced to life without parole. Robert Stroud. Burt Lancaster as usual is superb. Karl Malden is also superb as the hardcore warden. But it is character actor Neville Brand who steals the show as Stroud's personal guard.Their relationship will go a long way in explaining what may have gone wrong in the NYC prison system.
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Health Advocate
5.0 out of 5 stars 50 years and even better!
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2019
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I first saw this film on TV as a kid in the 60’s and it started me thinking about how truth and knowledge could be suppressed. The sheer greatness iof the film has only gotten better over the years. Burt Lancaster, and to Telly Savalas are in their prime, of this amazing movie. It took great courage to get this film made and is a testament to those individuals who stand out in the crowd. What Robert Stroud did, as a murderer, may never be forgotten, but his legacy will live on for many years. And If you learn how he saved those birds, it may also save your life.

In this day of all the media hype and fake news, here is one film that will bring you down to the grittiness and human tragedy called earth. I cannot recommend this film highly enough. One more thing to consider, Burt Lancaster was nominated for an Oscar for this film. He so deserved it.
11 people found this helpful
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R. Edward Merrell, Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Inside the rock called Alcatraz they tried to chain a volcano they called "The Bird Man"...now the world will know the story.
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2015
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This is an outstanding film, with a mesmerizing performance by Burt Lancaster in the title role. But as a biopic of Robert Stroud, "The Birdman" it is - by all accounts I've seen - largely fictionalized. The mild mannered intellectual Robert Stroud portrayed in the biography by Thomas Gaddis and in this film is contradicted by those who knew him in prison as a violent, vicious psychopath, who never rehabilitated. His "Birdman" nickname was well earned though, as he became a respected ornithologist while incarcerated at Leavenworth. He was not allowed to keep his birds when he was moved to Alcatraz in 1942, where he was incarcerated until until 1959, when he was moved to a medical facility after his health failed...he died there in 1963 (a year after this film was made) having spent 42 of his 73 years in prison, most of it in solitary confinement. In addition to Lancaster, look for superb performances from Karl Malden as the prison warden at both Leavenworth and Alcatraz; and Telly Savalas as a fellow inmate at both Leavenworth and Alcatraz. Lancaster and Savalas both received Oscar nominations and the film itself received a best movie nomination. My highest recommendation!
11 people found this helpful
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Quiet Knight
5.0 out of 5 stars Birdman Of Alcatraz Flew Onto Blu-Ray
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2021
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Olive Films released this interesting 1962 film onto Blu-ray, an HD upgrade from the 2001 MGM DVD, porting over the theatrical trailer and now incudes an audio commentary by Kate Buford, biographer of star Burt Lancaster who played real-life(and long-time) inmate and two-time convicted murderer Robert Stroud, who seldom got on with people or society, but found his true calling as an aviary expert where he raised and studied birds in his Leavenworth prison cell, which he had to give up when later transferred to Alcatraz... Costarring Karl Malden, Edmond O'Brian, Neville Brand, Telly Savalas, Thelma Ritter, and Betty Field, directed thoughtfully by John Frankenheimer.
3 people found this helpful
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I. M. Iconoclast
5.0 out of 5 stars Bird brain?
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2022
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Burt Lancaster puts in probably the best performance of his life in this movie. Based upon the true story of Robert Stroud, found guilty of murder and imprisoned for life, most men would fall into despair, but not Robert - he finds a calling and the world is a better place for it.
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Top reviews from other countries

Mark Trumble
5.0 out of 5 stars A type of hero I appreciate
Reviewed in Canada on June 29, 2021
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This is a dramatization, but this man through solitude, empathy and intelligence transcends and transforms his life and his environment. He is like a hidden font who is the origin of a courage, persistence and intelligence who shines independently of the walls he finds himself in. Good movie.
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Michael J. Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and inspirational true-life prison drama
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2021
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This is a wonderful classic of the big screen, with out-of-this-world acting from Burt Lancaster playing the part of fictionalised real-life federal prison inmate, Robert Stroud, a convicted murderer who was imprisoned from 1909 to his death in 1963. In a hugely nuanced performance, Lancaster portrays a tough, volatile and yet soulful prisoner, trapped somewhere between hero and anti-hero. While spending prison time at Leavenworth Penitentiary, Stroud took care of, studied and sold birds, becoming a respected ornithologist and publishing two books on diseases of birds and canaries, in particular. The screenplay of this prison drama and biopic is gritty, the acting is out of the top drawer and the monochrome photography is exquisite. Karl Malden is magnificent as the intimidating prison warden who nurtures an abiding antagonism towards Stroud, while Neville Brand is superb as the prison guard, Bull Ransom. Telly Savalas gives one of his career-best performances as fellow inmate, Feto Gomez. The make-up capturing the ageing of Stroud over a 50 year period is extraordinary. Director John Frankenheimer is at the height of his powers, extracting the best out of each part, including dealing with over a hundred trained birds on the film set, and blending all the dimensions of cinema into a timeless work of art.
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Michael J. Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and inspirational true-life prison drama
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2021
This is a wonderful classic of the big screen, with out-of-this-world acting from Burt Lancaster playing the part of fictionalised real-life federal prison inmate, Robert Stroud, a convicted murderer who was imprisoned from 1909 to his death in 1963. In a hugely nuanced performance, Lancaster portrays a tough, volatile and yet soulful prisoner, trapped somewhere between hero and anti-hero. While spending prison time at Leavenworth Penitentiary, Stroud took care of, studied and sold birds, becoming a respected ornithologist and publishing two books on diseases of birds and canaries, in particular. The screenplay of this prison drama and biopic is gritty, the acting is out of the top drawer and the monochrome photography is exquisite. Karl Malden is magnificent as the intimidating prison warden who nurtures an abiding antagonism towards Stroud, while Neville Brand is superb as the prison guard, Bull Ransom. Telly Savalas gives one of his career-best performances as fellow inmate, Feto Gomez. The make-up capturing the ageing of Stroud over a 50 year period is extraordinary. Director John Frankenheimer is at the height of his powers, extracting the best out of each part, including dealing with over a hundred trained birds on the film set, and blending all the dimensions of cinema into a timeless work of art.
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3 people found this helpful
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TraWren
5.0 out of 5 stars Title is excellent, watch those region codes tho.
Reviewed in Canada on April 22, 2015
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I love this movie, anything to do with Alcatraz is aces.. BUT this was a region 2, and I missed it. To return it would have cost more than what I paid for the movie. So it looks pretty sitting on a shelf. Exce;llent movie tho. If you have a chance to watch it, do so. You won't regret it.
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Ian France
5.0 out of 5 stars Burt's best role
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2021
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Watching Elmer Gantry recently I had to give up-too much Burt Lancaster being his OTT self-the same can be said of From Here to Eternity.
But in Birdman of Alcatraz you forget Burt and just follow the story of Robert Stroud...even Telly Savalas becomes the man in the next cell, rather than a would-be Kojak.
Karl Malden could do earnest preachers and policemen with warm humanity or uptight officials governed by the rule book as here.
In the end Stroud's dignity wins out and you've had an evening well spent.
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trekker
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2015
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Excellent!
Burt Lancaster earned an oscar nomination for his role of Robert Stroud, a convicted killer who was sentenced to solitary confinement while awaiting execution.
Whether or not this story is true to it's origins it still makes for wonderful movie viewing.
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