After killing a prison guard, convict Robert Stroud faces life imprisonment in solitary confinement. Driven nearly mad by loneliness and despair, Stroud's life gains new meaning when he happens upon a helpless baby sparrow in the exercise yard and nurses it back to health. Despite having only a third grade education, Stroud goes on to become a renowned ornithologist and achieves a greater sense of freedom and purpose behind bars than most people find in the outside world.
Burt Lancaster
as Robert Stroud
Karl Malden
as Harvey Shoemaker
Thelma Ritter
as Elizabeth Stroud
Neville Brand
as Bull Ransom
Betty Field
as Stella Johnson
Telly Savalas
as Feto Gomez
Edmond O'Brien
as Tom Gaddis
Hugh Marlowe
as Roy Comstock
Whit Bissell
as Dr. Ellis
Crahan Denton
as Kramer
James Westerfield
as Jess Younger
Robert Bailey
as Reporter on Dock (uncredited)
