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Watch The Cast of 'Tigertail' Name Their Favorite Films in Asian Cinema
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
- Richard McKenna(novel)
- Robert Anderson(screenplay)
- Stars
Emmanuelle Arsan
- Maily
- (as Marayat Andriane)
Joe Di Reda
- Shanahan
- (as Joseph di Reda)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDirector Robert Wise was so proud of this movie that he held yearly parties with surviving cast members to celebrate it.
- GoofsThe 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 creditsThere 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 versionsThe 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.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Slaying the Dragon (1988)
- SoundtracksSleepy Time Gal
(uncredited)
Music by Richard A. Whiting and Ange Lorenzo
Lyrics by Ray Egan and Joseph R. Alden
Review
Featured review
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•491
- stpetebeach
- Jul 1, 2005
Details
Box office
- 3 hours 2 minutes
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