It’s certainly more than just a Western film. It might be considered a fairly direct revenge story at its core, but it also functions as a thoughtful exploration of a person grappling with being forced to mature prematurely. What elevates the movie beyond the ordinary is the way it's constructed; director Henry Hathaway crafts an engaging narrative by treating each stage of Nevada Smith/Max Sand’s journey as a significant piece focused on character development, which effectively gets you invested in his pursuit of vengeance. Steve McQueen deserves recognition for bringing considerable energy to the role when it was truly necessary because without that, the movie could have easily become generic. To really connect with the protagonist's internal struggles and confusion, a strong performance is essential, and he delivers admirably. The scenery and sets add visual appeal to the story, and most of the supporting cast perform well; however, I’m among those less experienced reviewers who feel that Karl Malden doesn't quite succeed in portraying the film’s primary antagonist. My impression is that the person responsible for these terrible acts should have been considerably more intimidating than the somewhat unsteady and exaggerated performance Malden provides. Nevada Smith features exciting action scenes, a story that sticks with you, and an ending that brings the character's arc to completion. These elements combine to create an absorbing experience featuring a talented lead actor who benefits from skillful and knowledgeable direction within the genre. 8/10

Source on TMDB