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The Sand Pebbles

  • 1966
  • Approved
  • 3h 2m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
17K
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.
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Watch The Cast of 'Tigertail' Name Their Favorite Films in Asian Cinema
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99+ Photos
TragedyAdventureDramaRomanceWar

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.

  • Director
    • Robert Wise
  • Writers
    • Richard McKenna
    • Robert Anderson
  • Stars
    • Steve McQueen
    • Richard Attenborough
    • Richard Crenna
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    17K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Wise
    • Writers
      • Richard McKenna
      • Robert Anderson
    • Stars
      • Steve McQueen
      • Richard Attenborough
      • Richard Crenna
    • 149User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
  • See production info 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

    Photos155

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    + 149
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    Top cast41

    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
    • Director
      • Robert Wise
    • Writers
      • Richard McKenna
      • Robert Anderson
    • 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

      Frenchy Burgoyne: [exchanging marriage vows; slowly and with feeling] We're mixing our lives together, Maily, and we'll never be able to unmix them again, and we'll never want to. I take you for what you are, and all that you are, and mix you with all of me, and I don't hold back nothing. When you're cold, and hungry, and afraid, so am I. I'm going to stay with you all that I can, take the best care of you that I can, and love you 'til I die.

      Maily: I will always love you and honor you and serve you, and stay as near to you as I can, and do everything for you, and live for you. I won't have *any* life except our life together. I will just love you, Frenchy, all of me, loving you forever.

    • 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 reviews149

    Featured review
    8/10

    A classic war movie and one of McQueen's greatest performances

    "The Sand Pebbles" is an epic war movie set during the 1920s in China.

    Steve McQueen delivers one of his strongest performances as Jake Holman, the sailor responsible for the engine room of the U.S.S. San Pablo gunboat.

    There are uncomfortable scenes in the film. The 1920s were not a time of political correctness and the treatment of the Chinese "coolies" on board the ship, and the bargirls on shore, is shocking.

    Richard Attenborough plays the romantic Frenchy Burgoyne, who falls in love with the local bar's new hostess, Maily (Marayat Andriane).

    The beautiful soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith is memorable.

    8 out of 10.
    • DVD_Connoisseur
    • Jan 5, 2019
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

    • How long is The Sand Pebbles?Powered by Alexa
    • 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
      • El cañonero del Yangtzé
    • 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

    Tech specs

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

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    Candice Bergen, Steve McQueen, and Emmanuelle Arsan in The Sand Pebbles (1966)
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