Birdman of Alcatraz (1962): cast, story & where to watch
1962 · Film · ★ 7.5
Released in 1962, Birdman of Alcatraz is a drama and crime film directed by John Frankenheimer, running about 147 minutes. “Inside the rock called Alcatraz they tried to chain a volcano they called 'The Bird Man'!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. 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.
Who’s in it. Birdman of Alcatraz stars Burt Lancaster as Robert Stroud, Karl Malden as Harvey Shoemaker, Thelma Ritter as Elizabeth Stroud and Neville Brand as Bull Ransom, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.5/10, Birdman of Alcatraz has been warmly received by audiences. It went on to earn $3.1M at the box office.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo and MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Birdman of Alcatraz page.
If you liked it. Fans of Birdman of Alcatraz tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)?
- In US, Birdman of Alcatraz is available to stream on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel and Philo, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Birdman of Alcatraz worth watching?
- Birdman of Alcatraz holds an audience score of 7.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and crime. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in Birdman of Alcatraz?
- Birdman of Alcatraz stars Burt Lancaster, Karl Malden, Thelma Ritter, Neville Brand and Betty Field.
- When was Birdman of Alcatraz released?
- Birdman of Alcatraz was released in 1962, with a runtime of about 147 minutes.