Can't live up to its fame

Saw this film in my early teens when it was released (I'm from 1948) and upon watching it again recently, I can't believe how stiff and cardboard like the acting is. Dialogues are scant spontaneous, actors are forced to utter lines which are unrealistic and overly moralizing (the death scene of Bernardo/Bronson) and acting is at times downright ludicrous and over the top (Robert Vaughns character).

The exception of course of Steve McQueen, who manages to draw the attention to himself in every scene he appears, which may have led to frictions between the actors. The screen in which Chris (Brynner) and Vin (McQueen) begin driving the hearse up to Boot Hill is an example. McQueen rattles the cartridges of his shotgun and shields his eyes with his hat, holding it towards the sun. Rumor has it this was an improvisation by McQueen, much to Brynners dismay, who was front camera, but knew that his character was second to McQueens impromptu acting.