Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

5/11/1980 3h 16m 4.5/10

Overview

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.

Director

Paul Krasny

Top Billed Cast

Telly Savalas

Telly Savalas

Cretzer

Ronny Cox

Ronny Cox

Bernard Coy

Will Sampson

Will Sampson

Clarence's Father

Art Carney

Art Carney

Robert Stroud

Michael Beck

Michael Beck

Clarence Carnes

Alex Karras

Alex Karras

Jughead Miller

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