Overview

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.

Genres

Cast

Burt Lancaster

Robert Stroud

Karl Malden

Harvey Shoemaker

Thelma Ritter

Elizabeth Stroud

Neville Brand

Bull Ransom

Betty Field

Stella Johnson

Telly Savalas

Feto Gomez

Edmond O'Brien

Tom Gaddis

Hugh Marlowe

Roy Comstock

Whit Bissell

Dr. Ellis

Crahan Denton

Kramer

James Westerfield

Jess Younger

Robert Bailey

Reporter on Dock (uncredited)