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Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980)

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980)

Action Drama Crime TV Movie

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!

Release Date: 1980, November 5
Directors: Paul Krasny
Countries: United States of America
Production: Pierre Cossette Enterprises
Cast: Joe Pantoliano, Francis X. McCarthy, Peter Jason, Jeffrey Tambor, Robert Davi, Peter Coyote, Will Sampson, Arthur Taxier, Ronny Cox, Jocko Marcellino, Paul Mantee, Jim Haynie

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.

Keywords:

prison alcatraz prison