After his death sentence is commuted to life in prison, John Resko is transferred from Sing-Sing to Dannemora where, with the help of a humane prison guard, he becomes a rehabilitated man and a successful painter.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Ben GazzaraJohn Resko | John Resko |
 Stuart WhitmanPrincipal Keeper | Principal Keeper |
 Ray WalstonIggy | Iggy |
 Vincent PriceCarl Carmer | Carl Carmer |
 Rod SteigerTiptoes | Tiptoes |
 Broderick CrawfordWarden | Warden |
| DDodie StevensResko's Sister | Resko's Sister |
 Jack KruschenResko's Father | Resko's Father |
 Sammy Davis Jr.Wino | Wino |
 Naomi StevensResko's Mother | Resko's Mother |
 Adam WilliamsGuard | Guard |
 Jack AlbertsonTeach | Teach |
 John KelloggGuard | Guard |
 Robert H. HarrisCommissioner | Commissioner |
| CCarmen PhillipsConnie Resko | Connie Resko |
 Timothy CareyNick | Nick |
 Myron HealeyGunther | Gunther |
| LLee KriegerStanley | Stanley |
 Josip ElicVic the Barber | Vic the Barber |
 Arthur MaletStorekeeper | Storekeeper |
| RRobert ChristopherGuard | Guard |
 Reggie NalderGreer | Greer |
| KKreg MartinGuard | Guard |
| SSusan SiloCathy (as an adult) | Cathy (as an adult) |
 Tom GilsonLefty | Lefty |
| RRoland La StarzaDuke | Duke |
 Warren J. KemmerlingGuard | Guard |
| AAndy AlbinInmate | Inmate |
| JJohn CloseGuard | Guard |
 John DennisCell Block Guard | Cell Block Guard |