You can ‘escape from Alcatraz’ by escaping to the Manatee public library

You may be familiar with Alcatraz Island, a tiny island that sits in San Francisco Bay, just a mile or so from the northern edge of the city where tourist attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf and the original Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory are located. Today, Alcatraz, also known as The Rock, operates as an historical attraction where the public can pay a fee to roam the grounds and see what the prison cells look like. There are even restored gardens on the site.

Alcatraz Island had quite a history before it was a tourist attraction. It was once a fort after the Mexican-American War and during the Civil War (and was used as a military prison during that time through to the early 1930s). It then became a federal penitentiary, well-known because of infamous inmates like “Machine Gun” Kelly and Al Capone. Alcatraz was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

The notorious legends of Alcatraz have been captured not only in its historic preservation, but also in the movies. One of the first few films to shoot on location there is “Escape from Alcatraz,”released in 1979 and starring Clint Eastwood. The movie is based on what is believed to be a true story of three men who escaped from Alcatraz in the early 1960s, and were the only ones to ever do so. They were never caught. Paramount Pictures spent over half a million dollars refurbishing the prison, as well as reconnecting electricity to the island, in order to make this movie.

Another true story captured on film centers around Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz,” as the movie is also called. Stroud, played in the film by Burt Lancaster, earned the moniker after having spent many years in solitary confinement at the penitentiary Leavenworth; during this time, he discovered a bird’s nest which fell into his cell, nursed the birds back to health, and became fascinated with them. Eventually he became an ornithologist, all while imprisoned. However, when he was transferred to Alcatraz, he was no longer allowed to study birds. Though incredibly intelligent, Stroud was considered a very dangerous criminal due to his violent behavior. He spent almost 55 years in prison.

For a movie experience that is simply adrenaline-packed fun, look no farther than “The Rock,” a 1996 film starring Sean Connery as a former British spy and federal prisoner who once escaped Alcatraz and Nicolas Cage as an FBI chemist; with different motives, they reluctantly work together to stop a nerve gas attack on San Francisco and surrounding areas. A rogue general, played by Ed Harris, and his men hold dozens of tourists hostage on Alcatraz and threaten the attack unless their demands are met. Plenty of action and star power make this movie very entertaining. Much of the film was shot on location on Alcatraz Island.

These films, and many books featuring Alcatraz Island, are available at Manatee Libraries. Also check out our digital apps OverDrive, Hoopla, and RBdigital.

Speaking Volumes is written by staff members with the Manatee County Public Library System. Ericka Dow is information services supervisor at the Central Library.