Sincere drama that poses some interesting questions about what constitutes rehabilitation. Famous story, perhaps more so when the film was made but still in the public consciousness today, of convicted killer Robert Stroud sentenced to life imprisonment in solitary confinement who discovers any affinity for birds and their care.
Simple enough it would seem but the meat of the story comes about when the penal system's rigid code of what it sees as rehabilitation and Stroud's abilities conflict. The powers that be fail to recognize that in his way Stroud, apparently an extremely intelligent man who educated himself in various sciences, has rehabilitated himself by becoming a productive person in the cures he invents that help thousands of animals and their owners. Because it doesn't fit into the establishment's narrow view of how to be properly mainlined his work is stopped, benefiting no one.
It's extremely frustrating to watch and raises several questions. Is Stroud a model citizen? No. Is he fit to mix with the prison population let alone the public at large? Probably not. Is he making a valuable contribution? He most certainly is. Are the men in charge of redeeming him shortsighted and wrong? You bet. Does the film make a strong case for looking at the individual versus the group dynamic? Indeed it does.
Wonderful performances all around. Burt Lancaster is very strong in the lead conveying Stroud violent tendencies as well as his more cerebral side convincingly. Karl Malden also does well as the warden who can't see any other way but his way. Betty Field mixes just the right amounts of sadness and warmth as Burt's initial partner and eventual wife. Then there's Thelma Ritter as Stroud's complicated mother and fiercest champion with whom he had an odd relationship until a breach came between them. The actress was Oscar nominated, as was Burt, for her work and while she is as always solid the role isn't really nomination worthy.
A fine film with an intriguing story. A trifle long but well worth seeking out.
Simple enough it would seem but the meat of the story comes about when the penal system's rigid code of what it sees as rehabilitation and Stroud's abilities conflict. The powers that be fail to recognize that in his way Stroud, apparently an extremely intelligent man who educated himself in various sciences, has rehabilitated himself by becoming a productive person in the cures he invents that help thousands of animals and their owners. Because it doesn't fit into the establishment's narrow view of how to be properly mainlined his work is stopped, benefiting no one.
It's extremely frustrating to watch and raises several questions. Is Stroud a model citizen? No. Is he fit to mix with the prison population let alone the public at large? Probably not. Is he making a valuable contribution? He most certainly is. Are the men in charge of redeeming him shortsighted and wrong? You bet. Does the film make a strong case for looking at the individual versus the group dynamic? Indeed it does.
Wonderful performances all around. Burt Lancaster is very strong in the lead conveying Stroud violent tendencies as well as his more cerebral side convincingly. Karl Malden also does well as the warden who can't see any other way but his way. Betty Field mixes just the right amounts of sadness and warmth as Burt's initial partner and eventual wife. Then there's Thelma Ritter as Stroud's complicated mother and fiercest champion with whom he had an odd relationship until a breach came between them. The actress was Oscar nominated, as was Burt, for her work and while she is as always solid the role isn't really nomination worthy.
A fine film with an intriguing story. A trifle long but well worth seeking out.