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.

• Norma Productions
• United Artists
• Burt Lancaster
• Karl Malden
• Thelma Ritter
• Neville Brand
• Betty Field
• Telly Savalas
• Edmond O'Brien
• Hugh Marlowe