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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
Watch The Cast of 'Tigertail' Name Their Favorite Films in Asian Cinema
1 Video
99+ Photos
AdventureDramaRomance
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
    • Robert Wise
    • Richard McKenna(novel)
    • Robert Anderson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Steve McQueen
    • Richard Attenborough
    • Richard Crenna
    • Robert Wise
    • Richard McKenna(novel)
    • Robert Anderson(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Steve McQueen
    • Richard Attenborough
    • Richard Crenna
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 135User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 8 Oscars

    Videos1

    The Cast of 'Tigertail' Name Their Favorite Films in Asian Cinema
    Clip 2:56
    Watch 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 Holman
    Richard Attenborough
    Richard Attenborough
    • Frenchy Burgoyne
    Richard Crenna
    Richard Crenna
    • Captain Collins
    Candice Bergen
    Candice Bergen
    • Shirley Eckert
    Emmanuelle Arsan
    Emmanuelle Arsan
    • Maily
    • (as Marayat Andriane)
    Mako
    Mako
    • Po-han
    Larry Gates
    Larry Gates
    • Jameson
    Charles Robinson
    Charles Robinson
    • Ensign Bordelles
    Simon Oakland
    Simon Oakland
    • Stawski
    Ford Rainey
    Ford Rainey
    • Harris
    Joe Turkel
    Joe Turkel
    • Bronson
    Gavin MacLeod
    Gavin MacLeod
    • Crosley
    Joe Di Reda
    Joe Di Reda
    • Shanahan
    • (as Joseph di Reda)
    Richard Loo
    Richard Loo
    • Major Chin
    Barney Phillips
    Barney Phillips
    • Franks
    Gus Trikonis
    Gus Trikonis
    • Restorff
    Shepherd Sanders
    Shepherd Sanders
    • Perna
    James Jeter
    James Jeter
    • Farren
      • Robert Wise
      • Richard McKenna(novel)
      • Robert Anderson(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more 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 reviews135

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    A beautiful film
    I get tired of hearing how "they don't make them like that any more," but it's hard to imagine THE SAND PEBBLES being made today. If a current movie is three hours long, you can bet it's because the director has fallen in love with himself, not because the material merits it. THE SAND PEBBLES succeeds on just about every level: It is a compelling and complex story; it is beautifully filmed; the acting is mostly excellent; and there is a tremendous score. (Can you imagine a film today having an overture? Rampant adult ADD prohibits it.) The three hours gives you time to get to know the characters, sink into the Chinese setting, and become involved in the story. Just a little thing to notice, right at the start: Watch how McQueen fiddles with his napkin in the formal dining room. He's out of place, and doesn't know what to do with it; it's the kind of physical bit that McQueen does so well to elaborate his character. Credit must also be given to the late Richard Crenna. His captain of the San Pablo is a complex and conflicted character, and Crenna, while carrying off a largely formal role, delivers a very nuanced and moving performance. THE SAND PEBBLES is a movie for grown-ups, largely forgotten today but well worth your time.
    helpful•49
    1
    • stpetebeach
    • Jul 1, 2005

    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)
      • United States
      • English
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
    • 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
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 3 hours 2 minutes
      • Color

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    Candice Bergen, Steve McQueen, and Emmanuelle Arsan in The Sand Pebbles (1966)
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    By what name was The Sand Pebbles (1966) officially released in India in Hindi?
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