Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980)

Action Crime Drama TV Movie

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.

Updated Jun 4 2016

Releases:

US -

1980-11-05

MoreLess Releases

Keywords:

prison alcatraz

FACTS

Runtime: 196 mins Rating: 0.0 Tag Line: At 18, Carnes is the youngest man to be sent to The Rock, yet he vows he'll create the ultimate escape plan -- or die trying!

Cast

Joe Pantoliano

Ray Neal

Ronny Cox

Bernard Coy

Robert Davi

Hubbard

Jeffrey Tambor

Big Nose (voice)

Peter Coyote

Narrator

Telly Savalas

Cretzer

Ed Lauter

Carl

John Amos

Bumpy Johnson