Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980) is a crime, drama film directed by Paul Krasny rated 5.5/10.

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.

Cast

Michael Beck

Clarence Carnes

Art Carney

Robert Stroud

Alex Karras

Jughead Miller

Telly Savalas

Cretzer

Will Sampson

Clarence's Father

Ronny Cox

Bernard Coy

Richard Lynch

Sam Shockley

Robert Davi

Hubbard

John Amos

Bumpy Johnson

James MacArthur

Walt Stomer

Ed Lauter

Frank Morris

Joe Pantoliano

Ray Neal