Search - Birdman of Alcatraz on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1962 DVD Release: 03/06/2001 Format: DVD - Black and White,Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 29 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 8 Genres: Drama, Psychological Drama, Biopic [feature], Prison Film

In this film based on a true story, Burt Lancaster plays Robert Stroud, a withdrawn prison inmate who cures a sick bird that flies into his cell and eventually becomes a world-renowned ornithologist -- all while serving a life sentence. An overbearing warden (Karl Malden) eventually transfers Stroud to the notoriously brutal prison on Alcatraz, but he is able to continue his research, abort a riot, start a romance, and eventually get his story out through a determined reporter (Edmond O'Brien). Directed with his usual solid craftsmanship by John Frankenheimer, Birdman Of Alcatraz tells a quietly moving tale for which Lancaster, Telly Savalas (as one of Stroud's fellow inmates), and Thelma Ritter (as Stroud's mother) all received Oscar nominations. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide

Burt Lancaster - Robert Stroud
Karl Malden - Harvey Shoemaker
Thelma Ritter - Elizabeth Stroud
Neville Brand - Bull Ransom
Betty Field - Stella Johnson
Telly Savalas - Feto Gomez

John Frankenheimer's prison drama Birdman of Alcatraz contains a superb performance by Burt Lancaster, and comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible, and the soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer. This is a fine release from MGM/UA that does an acceptable if less than breathtaking job of presenting the film. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide