Birdman of Alcatraz
United Artists | Release Date: July 3, 1962 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
76
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
1
Negative:
0
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
The New York TimesA.H. Weiler
A thoughtful yet powerful portrait that cleaves to the heart and mind despite its omissions. Read full review
90
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
Birdman of Alcatraz is not really a prison picture in the traditional and accepted sense of the term. Birdman reverses the formula and brings a new breadth and depth to the form. In telling, with reasonable objectivity but understandably deep compassion the true story of Robert Stroud, it achieves a human dimension way beyond its predecessors. Read full review
80
CineVueChristopher Machell
John Frankenheimer’s 1962 film is a stately and moving depiction of the man’s capacity for dignity and improvement. Read full review
80
EmpireStaff (Not Credited)
John Frankenheimer, during his decade as one of the screen's most innovative and exciting directors, tells a difficult story with imagination and compassion. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
The Birdman of Alcatraz has great production values, moving if sometimes plodding, overly deliberate scripting, and efficient direction from black-and-white specialist Frankenheimer which strives mightily to overcome the essentially static nature of the storyline. Read full review
70
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
A likeable film, particularly in its observation of the evolving relationship between the anti-social prisoner and the hostile warder (Brand, excellent) from whom he is forced to beg favours. Read full review
More From This Movie

76 Critic Reviews

7.6 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 72 The Sheep Detectives
5 63 Normal
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL