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Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

1980 · 3h 16m · Crime, Drama, Action, 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!

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.

Where to watch Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story

Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story is streaming in the US on Amazon Prime Video.

It is also available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.

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Cast

• Michael Beck as Clarence Carnes
• Art Carney as Robert Stroud
• Alex Karras as Jughead Miller
• Telly Savalas as Cretzer
• Will Sampson as Clarence's Father
• Ronny Cox as Bernard Coy
• Richard Lynch as Sam Shockley
• Robert Davi as Hubbard
• John Amos as Bumpy Johnson
• James MacArthur as Walt Stomer
• Ed Lauter as Frank Morris
• Joe Pantoliano as Ray Neal

Details

Director

Paul Krasny

Released

November 5, 1980

Runtime

3h 16m

Genres

Crime, Drama, Action, TV Movie

Studio

Pierre Cossette Enterprises

Status

Released

TMDB score

5.5 / 10 from 4 votes