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.
as Clarence Carnes
as Robert Stroud
as Jughead Miller
as Cretzer
as Clarence's Father
as Bernard Coy
as Sam Shockley
as Hubbard
as Bumpy Johnson
as Walt Stomer
as Frank Morris
as Ray Neal
as Clarence Anglin
as Dankworth
as Ordway
as Warden Johnson
as Weinhold
as Corwin
as Fred Haskell
as Miller
as Jackson
as Thompkins
as John Anglin
as Lt. Lagason
as Guard
as Clarence's Mother
as Connelly
as Guard
as Holfeld
as McIntire
as Presser
as Dunslay
as Male Nurse
as Armory Lieutenant
as Guard
as Carroll
as Myron Thompson
as Courtney Taylor
as Alphie
as Judge Goodman
as Sheriff's Deputy
as Lt. Micklin
as Store Owner
as Prisoner
as Hampton
as Dumpy
as Guard Crayden
as Colman
as Baggett
as Lt. Stenfield
as Lt. Holmby
as Guard Fairgate
as Convict
as Salkin
as Larwin
as Felish
as Vernon
