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.
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
