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.
Elenco: Burt Lancaster , Karl Malden , Thelma Ritter , Neville Brand , Betty Field , Telly Savalas , Edmond O'Brien , Hugh Marlowe , Whit Bissell , Crahan Denton , James Westerfield , Robert Bailey , Nicky Blair , Mushy Callahan , James J. Casino , Noble Chissell , John Indrisano , Pete Kellett , David McMahon , Pat Moran , Ben Roseman , Frankie Van , Robert Burton , Lewis Charles , Nick Dennis , Mike Mahoney , Raymond Greenleaf , William Hansen , Wayne Heffley , Michael Masters , Joe McGuinn , Victor Romito , Anton von Stralen , Robert Williams , William Hoehne Jr. , Dale Van Sickel , Kermit Maynard , Harry Holcombe , Fred Libby , Len Lesser , Edward Mallory , Adrienne Marden , George Mitchell , Leo Penn , Chris Robinson , Michael Ross , Phil Schumacher , Ray Spiker , Harry Jackson .