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IMDbPro

The Sand Pebbles

  • 19661966
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 3h 2m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
15K
YOUR RATING
Candice Bergen, Steve McQueen, and Emmanuelle Arsan in The Sand Pebbles (1966)
Alan Yang, Tzi Ma and Christine Ko of 'Tigertail' name some of their favorite films to check out in Asian Cinema.
Play clip2:56
The Cast of 'Tigertail' Name Their Favorite Films in Asian Cinema
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Adventure
  • Drama
  • Romance
In 1926, a U.S. Naval engineer gets assigned to a gunboat on a rescue mission in war-torn China.In 1926, a U.S. Naval engineer gets assigned to a gunboat on a rescue mission in war-torn China.In 1926, a U.S. Naval engineer gets assigned to a gunboat on a rescue mission in war-torn China.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
15K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Robert Wise
  • Writers
    • Richard McKenna(novel)
    • Robert Anderson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Steve McQueen
    • Richard Attenborough
    • Richard Crenna
Top credits
  • Director
    • Robert Wise
  • Writers
    • Richard McKenna(novel)
    • Robert Anderson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Steve McQueen
    • Richard Attenborough
    • Richard Crenna
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 131User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 8 Oscars
      • 2 wins & 21 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Cast of 'Tigertail' Name Their Favorite Films in Asian Cinema
    Clip 2:56
    The Cast of 'Tigertail' Name Their Favorite Films in Asian Cinema

    Photos147

    Steve McQueen in The Sand Pebbles (1966)
    Candice Bergen and Steve McQueen in The Sand Pebbles (1966)
    Steve McQueen and Ford Rainey in The Sand Pebbles (1966)
    Mako, Simon Oakland, and Barney Phillips in The Sand Pebbles (1966)
    "Sand Pebbles, The" R. Crenna, S. McQueen, G. MacLeod 1966 20th Cent. Fox
    "Sand Pebbles, The" Steve McQueen 1966 20th Cent. Fox
    "Sand Pebbles, The" Steve McQueen 1966 20th Cent. Fox
    "Sand Pebbles, The" Steve McQueen 1966 20th Cent. Fox
    Steve McQueen in Japan during the filming of "The Sand Pebbles"
    Steve McQueen in Japan during the filming of "The Sand Pebbles"
    Steve McQueen in Japan during the filming of "The Sand Pebbles"
    Steve McQueen in Japan during filming of "The Sand Pebbles"

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steve McQueen
    Steve McQueen
    • Jake Holmanas Jake Holman
    Richard Attenborough
    Richard Attenborough
    • Frenchy Burgoyneas Frenchy Burgoyne
    Richard Crenna
    Richard Crenna
    • Captain Collinsas Captain Collins
    Candice Bergen
    Candice Bergen
    • Shirley Eckertas Shirley Eckert
    Emmanuelle Arsan
    Emmanuelle Arsan
    • Mailyas Maily
    • (as Marayat Andriane)
    Mako
    Mako
    • Po-hanas Po-han
    Larry Gates
    Larry Gates
    • Jamesonas Jameson
    Charles Robinson
    Charles Robinson
    • Ensign Bordellesas Ensign Bordelles
    Simon Oakland
    Simon Oakland
    • Stawskias Stawski
    Ford Rainey
    Ford Rainey
    • Harrisas Harris
    Joe Turkel
    Joe Turkel
    • Bronsonas Bronson
    Gavin MacLeod
    Gavin MacLeod
    • Crosleyas Crosley
    Joe Di Reda
    Joe Di Reda
    • Shanahanas Shanahan
    • (as Joseph di Reda)
    Richard Loo
    Richard Loo
    • Major Chinas Major Chin
    Barney Phillips
    Barney Phillips
    • Franksas Franks
    Gus Trikonis
    Gus Trikonis
    • Restorffas Restorff
    Shepherd Sanders
    Shepherd Sanders
    • Pernaas Perna
    James Jeter
    James Jeter
    • Farrenas Farren
    • Director
      • Robert Wise
    • Writers
      • Richard McKenna(novel)
      • Robert Anderson(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Director Robert Wise was so proud of this movie that he held yearly parties with surviving cast members to celebrate it.
    • Goofs
      The Machinist Mate First Class (MM1c) rate patch that Holman wears on his left shoulder is a post 1941-type where the "crow" faces to its right side. In 1926 when the movie is set, the crow on a Machinist Mate's rate patch faced left, looking away from the wearer's face. After 1941, all USN petty officer rate patch "crows" faced forward, like their wearer, to "face the enemy".
    • Quotes

      Jake Holman: I was home. What happened? What the hell happened?

    • Crazy credits
      There is a credit for 'Diversions by Irving Schwartz' in tribute to a mysterious, unknown correspondent whose letters proved a morale booster to cast and crew during trying location work in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
    • Alternate versions
      The original "roadshow" version ran 196 minutes; later cut to its present length (182 minutes) for its general release. The roadshow version was included in a 2007 special edition DVD release, which provided the first viewing of this version since the original 1966 release.
    • Connections
      Featured in Slaying the Dragon (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Sleepy Time Gal
      (uncredited)

      Music by Richard A. Whiting and Ange Lorenzo

      Lyrics by Ray Egan and Joseph R. Alden

    User reviews131

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    The Definitive McQueen Performance
    Steve McQueen was known for many things-- action films, fast cars, motorcycles, a charismatic presence (on screen and off), and his true `tough guy' persona. But with this film, another description moves to the top of that list: Actor. Anyone who doubts what a great actor McQueen was need only watch this film, because his performance here as Jake Holman is simply as good as it gets. `The Sand Pebbles, ` directed by Robert Wise, is the story of Holman, a sailor assigned to the U.S. Gunboat, `San Pablo,' stationed on the Yangtze River in China in 1926 (the sailors aboard are known as `sand pebbles'). It's primary function is to patrol the river and thereby establish an American presence in China, a country currently experiencing a period of political unrest and impending upheaval. It's a new assignment for Holman, and it suits him just fine; his job is to keep the ship's engines up and running, and because of the size of the ship, he's the only engineer-- it's just Jake and his engine. And that's the way he likes it. Holman is a loner by nature, and something of an iconoclast. At one point, when he is asked his opinion of American Foreign Policy and their presence in China, he simply says, `I don't mess with it. It's all look-see-pidgin, somethin' for the officers.'

    Eventually, however, Holman is nevertheless drawn into the conflict through a series of events that impact him beyond all personal resistance, the most significant being when American lives are threatened throughout China, and Holman and a landing party are sent ashore to protect and escort some missionaries back to the safety of the San Pablo. But at the mission, Holman discovers a way of life, the likes of which he's never known, and for the first time ever, he realizes a sense of belonging. And he likes it. For Holman, however, it may be too late; the political turmoil throughout the country has put the lives of everyone at the mission in peril, including a young missionary named Shirley Eckert (Candice Bergen), with whom Holman has made a connection he simply cannot dispel; for in Shirley, he discerns an innocence and a goodness that compels him, and in which he finds a welcome sense of fulfillment. So what began as a routine mission becomes a salient point in Holman's life, and he is faced with the most important decision he's ever had to make.

    This is the one for which McQueen should have won an Oscar. As Holman, he demonstrates an emotional range and depth that runs the gamut from almost boyish naivete to a world weary veteran of life who has seen and heard it all. Utterly convincing, he can say more with a slight incline of his head, a slow blink or shifting of his eyes than most actors could say with reams of dialogue at their disposal. He communicates with so much more than words, and there's meaning in everything he says and does-- he never wastes a line or a single moment. What he does with this role is magnificent; it's the definitive McQueen performance. His Holman is the personification of the loner, and in creating him he delivers something few actors could ever equal: He's tough, convincing and charming-- all at the same time. And he should've taken home The Statue for it.

    As Collins, the Captain of the San Pablo, Richard Crenna gives one of his finest performances, as well, and it cemented his transition from television actor to a career on the big screen. After this, there was no going back. His portrayal of the somber, introspective Captain is riveting, and in him you readily perceive Collins' sense of duty and honor, as well as his overwhelming sense of futility and failure. And the urgency with which he grasps his chance for redemption, even in the face of insurmountable odds, is entirely believable as it is consistent with the character he has created.

    The superlative supporting cast includes Richard Attenborough (Frenchy), Emmanuelle Arsan (Maily), Mako (Po-han), Larry Gates (Jameson), Charles Robinson (Bordelles), Simon Oakland (Stawski), Ford Rainey (Harris), Joe Turkel (Bronson) and Gavin MacLeod (Crosley). A powerful drama, extremely well crafted and presented by Wise, `The Sand Pebbles' is a great and memorable film that will forever stand as the pinnacle of McQueen's successful career. Jake Holman is a character you will never forget, because there is something of him-- that wistful longing to belong, perhaps-- in all of us. A timeless classic among classics, this is one of the greatest motion pictures of all time, and is by definition, the magic of the movies. I rate this one 10/10.
    helpful•127
    16
    • jhclues
    • Jun 7, 2001

    FAQ1

    • Steve McQueen was making the rounds promoting "Sand Pebbles", when Johnny Carson conversationally asked him how making the movie went. Without saying any disparaging remarks against anyone, McQueen let it be known, that on his next movie, he (McQueen) would have cast approval and seemed to be (at least to me) implying, especially his leading ladies. Does anyone know of any difficulties that occurred between Candice Bergen and McQueen? Or between any other cast member? Or did I misread it?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 20, 1966 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • Kanonenboot am Yangtse-Kiang
    • Filming locations
      • USS Texas - 3523 Independence Pkwy, La Porte, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Argyle Enterprises
      • Solar Productions
      • Robert Wise Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      3 hours 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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