The Sand Pebbles

The Sand Pebbles

Drama • PG-13 • 1966 • 3 hr 16 min

6.8

7.5

Engineer Jake Holman arrives aboard the gunboat USS San Pablo, assigned to patrol a tributary of the Yangtze in the middle of exploited and revolution-torn 1926 China. His iconoclasm and cynical nature soon clash with the 'rice-bowl' system which runs the ship and the uneasy symbiosis between Chinese and foreigner on the river. Hostility towards the gunboat's presence reaches a climax when the boat must crash through a river-boom and rescue missionaries upriver at China Light Mission.

Starring

Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Richard Crenna, Candice Bergen, Mako

Directed By

Written By

Robert Anderson

Attributes

Genre

Drama War Adventure

Release Date

December 20, 1966

User Reviews

An amazing film about brutality and the slim ray of hope in dark times. An incredible performance from McQueen and great direction from Wise

Powerful and subtle moral to the story, but you're in for a loooong movie.

Brandon O’Dell

Layered story about a warship in China. It addresses complex racial issues in a frank way. I liked it.

A brilliant movie that is well scripted with acting that is performed to a very high standard.

Skilled direction from Wise. The cinematography is beautiful McQueen's performance is balanced anti-war and duty.

Great classic watch film where McQueen shines. Struggles to hold up to some of the true classics from that era but overall is worth a watch

Good classic

Stats

Ratings

6.8 – Based on 61 ratings

Attributes

Watch With

Trailer

The Sand Pebbles Trailer

Featurette

Alan Spencer on THE SAND PEBBLES