Birdman of Alcatraz (1962): review- 6/10

Well paced story of a convict that takes up bird breeding and becomes an aknowledged expert in the matter.

The film is further animated by an ongoing feud between a prison governor and the hero.

The film is nicely filmed, with very characterisitc tics from the time, and Lancaster is excellent, if unlikely, as the convict, being much too good-looking.

The film attempts, clumsily, to introduce a political message about crime. It argues that the prisoners are somehow victims of society- though the director indeed skirts any examination of the convict's crimes, or his motivations for them, nor those of his co-detainees.

A definate superficiality then, is sustained thoughout; this is particularly apparant in the relations with his mother and also his wife.