birdman of alcatraz review

The film very rarely takes focus away from Lancaster, and Lancaster never fails to prove himself worthy of all of the attention by carrying the final product, though not alone, because event though this drama could have been more, what it ultimately is is a melodrama which immerses and compels enough to reward the patient. Funnily enough it’s only partially set in Alcatraz though. Nevertheless, Frankenheimer - much like Sidney Lumet before him in 12 Angry Men - manages the tight spaces and confined quarters quite well, fashioning stimulating images that keep the viewer involved. The first time we see Michael Keaton in his tighty-whities in “Birdman,” it’s from behind. As long as this film is, some focal unevenness derives from storytelling's paying little mind to the extensive development of plot layers and supporting roles which jar in and out as major narrative aspects, no matter how much exposition meanders for two-and-a-half hours. Although acting material is pretty limited, just about every member of this small cast delivers as more convincing than the characterization of their roles, yet it does ultimately come down to the great Burt Lancaster, who, with little emotive flare, continues to showcase then-innovative acting sensibilities by utilizing impeccable charisma and nuance to sell the gradual aging and development of good intentions of a criminal with much that benefited the world to offer. After publishing a book on bird diseases from jail, he meets and marries Stella (Betty Field), a fellow bird enthusiast. Exquisite black & white cinematography by Burnett Guffey and a excellent score by Elmer Bernstein. Docudrama about Robert Stroud, the prisoner who became an ornithologist and author. Please reference “Error Code 2121” when contacting customer service. Helpful. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Birdman of Alcatraz is a quiet, contemplative work by a great director just as he's starting to work at the top of his game. Birdman of Alcatraz is a quiet, contemplative work by a great director just as he's starting to work at the top of his game. The Birdman of Alcatraz is a cracking film, full of strong drama, superb performances and is surprisingly moving at times. Birdman of Alcatraz avoids the norm and has been fashioned with subtlety and care for characterization that is memorable and refreshing. As irony would have it, novelist Thomas E. Gaddis and screenwriter Guy Trosper dilute the value of this narrative by trying too hard to humanize the lead and juice up the dramatics surrounding him through fictionalizations, and yet, there are still more than a few areas of manufacturing which feel believable enough to actually supplement the value of this story, which still can't quite reward without being, at the very least, well-built. Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - Give Her Up, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - Going Into Business, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - Prison Riot, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - Death of a Canary, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - A Convict's Rights, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - Stupid Bird Tricks, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - Leaving Alcatraz, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - I Give You My Word, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - Learning to Fly, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - Solitary for Life, Birdman of Alcatraz: Official Clip - Prison Fight. Prison historians have said that the real Stroud was a merciless killer who showed no remorse for his crimes. Don't have an account? The Birdman of Alcatraz has great production values, moving if sometimes plodding, overly deliberate scripting, and efficient direction from black-and-white specialist Frankenheimer which strives mightily to overcome the essentially static nature of the storyline. Cinemark / Street Date November 11, 2014 / available through Screen Archives Entertainment / 29.95 Starring Burt Lancaster, Betty Field, Karl Malden, Thelma Ritter, Edmond O'Brien, Telly Savalas, Neville Brand, Hugh Marlowe, Whit Bissell. I ordered it to share w/ French friends who recently visited the real prison out West. There's a scene in this two and a half hour film in which a baby bird hatches from it's egg. We are told only that he is imprisoned at the medium-security federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas, because he … Copyright © Fandango. Cookies The author did extensive research about the Birdman and about the history of the penal system and the prisons where Robert was housed. Birdman of Alcatraz. Shelves: autumn, biography, true-crime, birds, non-fiction. After watching Birdman of Alcatraz, you might be surprised to discover that Burt Lancaster’s performance didn’t get rewarded with an Oscar. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Birdman of Alcatraz at Amazon.com. It's a wonderful biopic and a lesson in persistence and hope. Of course, in the end, if you're able to embrace this sometimes misguided melodrama, you'd be hard-pressed to not be engrossed, largely because of the subject matter. SHARE ON: Rob Aldam — July 31, 2018. Frankenheimer's compelling, if slightly fictionalized biopic of Robert Stroud is extremely wel acted by Burt Lancaster and the rest of the cast, including Thelma Ritter and Telly Savalas. Check box if your review contains spoilers. Birdman of Alcatraz is shaped with subtlety and almost unilateral attention to characterization, the result being that the characters, from start to finish, and thus the whole film in all its pros and cons, are remarkable and invigorating. The film manages to stay interesting despite being locked for the most part inside a jail cell. Please try again later. The is old style and it may even be black and white--I don't remember any color now, so I thought for sure my 14 and 12 year olds would start a fuss about having to watch this movie. Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2019. | Top Critics (2) All Critics (22) We don't get enough understanding of Stroud to become involved in how he is transformed over the years. Notable Video Game Releases: New and Upcoming. That's not to say the movie is tedious, but we certainly feel time pass as Stroud fills his confined existence with little moments of joy. and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. This preachy bio pic is a hokey take on the birdman with Lancaster being misused on every occasion. Posted by Conan Simmons October 15, 2020 Posted in Uncategorized Tags: Birdman of Alcatraz , Burt Lancaster , Conan Simmons , John Frankenheimer , Karl Malden , Telly Savalas , Thelma Ritter Leave a comment on ‘Birdman of Alcatraz’: Review of Prison Biopic 3/24/19 Birdman of Alcatraz w/ Burt Lancaster is a favorite of mine. Based on actual events. |, Before the Iceman... cameth (I guess), John Frankenheimer saw the coming of the birdman! The Birdman of Alcatraz (1962) is a fictionalized tale of Robert Stroud who raised birds while in prison and discovered cures for bird diseases. SHARE ON: Rob Aldam — July 31, 2018. 3/5 - Good. The gimmick here–and it’s a doozy, and it works beautifully–is that Inarritu has created the sensation that you are watching a … Based on true events, this movie has Burt Lancaster playing Robert Stroud, a man banged up in prison for murder in 1909. 3.5 stars or higher Alcatraz at Amazon.com Alcatraz, if the title and my poor pun earlier ’. 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