Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story (1980 TV Movie) User Reviews

I enjoyed it

[ranchgal01 · 8/10 · 19 March 2005]

While this is based on some facts within Clarence Carnes life, as a TV movie, you have to remember it is a movie. I didn't think they were making heroes of anyone, as much as just telling a story, and it's a pretty good story too. Telly Savalas is menacing enough as the escaping leader of the cons. And I think the brutality they showed, showed exactly why they were sent there in the first place. And I really enjoyed ARt Carney as "Birdman" R.Stroud--they showed him more realistically doing research and writing than a lot of other movies about him.

I really enjoyed Michael Beck's portrayal of C.Carnes-even though we know it was somewhat whitewashed. His early innocence being led astray and then his coming to terms with the WHY he was there was good. And his character's learning his way around the prison system was good, and the fact that he survived 18 years in Alcatraz is a story worth watching.

Alex Carras did an interesting portrayal of the Assoc. Warden, and I think that in that time period--I don't think they overplayed the brutality of the Alcatraz system either. This was the LAST STOP!!

I enjoyed this miniseries movie, and I thought the actors did a good job with the material.

Better watching separately in its two parts than all the way through.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 24 November 2021]

At 3 hours and 15 minutes, this is very tedious to watch in its entirety straight through because the first part and the second heart are basically unrelated escape attempts. It deals with both the1946 riots and the 1962 escape, and while the past comes up for Michael Beck's character, he looks almost exactly the same in the last part as he does in the first which is a major flaw.

The first part is definitely better, nearly excellent and very intense because the riot happens almost immediately, and it's fascinating to watch Beck's character of Clarence Barnes get pulled in, especially through the sly aggressive character played by Telly Savalas. As the second part begins, we made Art Carney as the Birdman, and his part is basically an unnecessary cameo.

By watching it in two parts, you're more liable to pay attention then watching it straight through, especially because then, you begin to see the flaws. There are a lot of attempts at stunt casting with some of the performers nothing more than brief cameos, from Alex Karras as the warden in the first part to Jeffrey Tambor as the prison librarian in the second part. It's also faster to read the real synopsis of both escapes oh, because you can get through those in 20 minutes and learn as much as you do in the lengthy time it takes to get through the film. This is still intense and well done, and in spite of the flaws, there are details included that shows a lot of the minor elements of both escapes and humanized the prisoners.

very, very good, especially for a tv movie

[Brandon Chance · 9/10 · 21 July 2001]

This is a very entertaining film, with great direction. Very interesting action and characters. When you consider that this is a tv movie, it makes it even more amazing. It's hard to believe that a 20 year old made for TV movie can be so much better than most of the stuff hollywood is putting out these days. Definately watch (and record)this if it comes on tv. And whoever owns the rights to this, release it on DVD letterboxed, ss-dl.

Michael Beck Gives an Outstanding Performance...

[videogal78 · 10/10 · 8 September 2001]

I have to agree that this is truly "the best Alcatraz movie ever made." The film follows the prison life of young Clarence Carnes played perfectly by Michael Beck(The Warriors, Triumphs of a Man Called Horse)who gives an outstanding performance. I was lucky enough to catch this movie on Encore's True Stories Channel. Clarence Carnes was the youngest man sent to Alcatraz and carried with him a record of trying to escape every jail he's ever been in. His character manages to show different emotions allowing the audience to truly feel for him. He never loses hope of escaping and proves that he's smart enough to pull it off if he wanted to. As years go by, he gains more and more respect and recognition. Art Carney(The Honeymooners) contributes greatly to the supporting cast offering memorable dialogue with Beck. If you have never seen this movie or want to see it again, be on the look out for some familiar faces, Joe Pantoliano, G.W. Bailey, and many others. The story is captivating and truly moving.I was two years old when this movie first came out and I saw if for the second time a few months ago. The tale of hope and the power of knowledge is timeless. If you want to see an Alcatraz movie worthy of the highest rating, this is it, "Alcatraz - The Whole Shocking Story."

Not bad for an old time TV movie

[baconbit · 26 August 2003]

I've seen this recently and you gotta love any movie that has both Joe Pantoliano and Jeffrey Tambor, however briefly. I'm not sure how accurate it all is, but it is fairly entertaining. The first time I came across it was really late at night and though I only planned on watching a few minutes, I soon found myself still awake at 4:00 in the morning. This just shows that made for TV movies often outshine their theater counterparts. Especially in the 80s with The Day After, and all the mini-series that often now are shown as long movies.

Not sure how they could release this in widescreen format, despite the letterbox snobs who wish for it. It was a made for TV movie. And therefore most likely never filmed in widescreen aspect. So what would they do on a letterbox? Black out the sides of the TV as well?

Let's make heroes of rapists and killers

[TiminPhoenix · 12 November 2003]

This movie as well as some of the well meaning comments about it have to make one wonder.

Most prison movies focus on the prisoners and more often than not make them the heroes. Of course guards are shown as being brutal. If more people knew who was being kept in prisons, they would send thank you notes weekly to correctional officers for keeping the bad guys and gals locked up and society safer.

Of course we have to forget the fact that the people in prison are there for raping kids, killing old folks, committing fraud and taking the life savings of someone, thieves who take a family's hard earned possessions, and on and on.

No, we forget that and have actors in this movie talking about escape as being part of a noble goal to shut down an inhumane prison.

I thought the acting was rather poor, the direction phony, and the piggybacking on to a real event with a totally unproven conclusion false.