
Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
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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.
Director
Paul Krasny
Cast
Michael Beck, Art Carney, Alex Karras, Telly Savalas, Will Sampson, Ronny Cox, Richard Lynch, Robert Davi, John Amos, James MacArthur
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2 options ranked by value · 🇺🇸 United States
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Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story
Top Picks
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.
Director
Paul Krasny
Cast
Michael Beck, Art Carney, Alex Karras, Telly Savalas, Will Sampson, Ronny Cox, Richard Lynch, Robert Davi, John Amos, James MacArthur
prison · alcatraz prison
2 options ranked by value · 🇺🇸 United States
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Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story is streaming on Amazon Prime. Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story is streaming on Amazon Prime Video with Ads. Availability last verified March 7, 2026.











