Burt Lancaster offers a stunning performace. Although it is quite different from today's movies, has a much faster rhythm than most of the 60's productions. Watched the 150 minutes without a break, it's engaging and even moving at times.

@HEMA: After watching the film, read its Wikipedia article and crossed upon what might be the reason for why it ever landed on a comedy list:

"According to those who knew him while he was in prison, the mild-mannered characterization of Stroud, as presented in Gaddis' book and the subsequent film, was largely fiction. Former inmate Glenn Williams went so far as to say that Stroud "was not a sweetheart; he was a vicious killer. I think Burt Lancaster owes us all an apology." He and another former convict, Jim Quillan, described the real Stroud as a "jerk", "a guy that liked chaos and turmoil and upheaval... Always at somebody else's expense." They regarded the film as a "comedy... an excellent comedy"."

I have to ponder if this lowers the value of an otherwise great film for me.

Excellent drama, well acted and directed. Still holds up!