Timeworn Joe Collins and his fellow inmates live under the heavy thumb of the sadistic, power-tripping guard Captain Munsey. Only Collins' dreams of escape keep him going, but how can he possibly bust out of Munsey's chains?
Burt Lancaster Joe Collins
Hume Cronyn Capt. Munsey
Charles Bickford Gallagher
Yvonne De Carlo Gina Ferrara
Ann Blyth Ruth
Ella Raines Cora Lister
Anita Colby Flossie
Sam Levene Louie Miller #7033
Jeff Corey 'Freshman' Stack
John Hoyt Spencer
Jack Overman Kid Coy
Roman Bohnen Warden A.J. Barnes
Sir Lancelot Calypso
Vince Barnett Muggsy
Jay C. Flippen Hodges (guard)
Richard Gaines McCollum
Frank Puglia Ferrara
James Bell Crenshaw
Howard Duff Robert 'Soldier' Becker
Art Smith Dr. Walters
Whit Bissell Tom Lister
James O'Rear Wilson
Paul Bryar Harry (uncredited)
Gino Corrado Italian Father Visiting Prison (uncredited)
Al Ferguson Guard (uncredited)
Jack Gordon Convict (uncredited)
John Harmon Roberts (uncredited)
Herbert Heywood Chef (uncredited)
Tom Steele Tom - Tower Guard (uncredited)
Ray Teal Jackson - Guard (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel Guard in Machine Shop (uncredited)
Rudy Germane Convict (uncredited)