The Sand Pebbles

Play trailer

The Sand Pebbles

PG-13

Released Dec 20, 1966

3h 2m

Adventure

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

85%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

In 1926, the USS San Pablo patrols the Yangtze River during the clashes between Chiang Kai-shek's communists and Chinese warlords. Eight-year veteran machinist Jake Holman (Steve McQueen), new to the self-named "sand pebbles" crew, immediately draws deep suspicion due to his independent streak. Ordered to protect Americans, including schoolteacher Shirley Eckhart (Candice Bergen), Jake and the gunboat crew are unwittingly drawn into a bitter nationalistic feud that holds grim consequences.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Pauline Kael

The New Republic

When a movie is this big (and over three hours long) we sit there thinking, “What’s it all for?”

Sep 19, 2023

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...under Wise’s skilled direction, and with remarkable production values, it’s an absolute pleasure to watch...

Rated: 4/5

Jan 23, 2024

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Though the conclusion is abrupt, the journey is riveting, with expert direction by Robert Wise and a proficient screenplay by Robert Anderson.

Rated: 8/10

Aug 27, 2020

Full Review

Wendy Michener

Maclean's Magazine

McQueen's character certainly represents anti-war sentiment, but in the end he is forced to accept his public role -- or possibly his duty -- the matter is ambiguous --and so dies for who knows what.

Jan 28, 2020

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Steve McQueen gives a dominant performance in Robert Wise's ambitious but flawed period drama, which offers interesting parallels to the US involvment in Vietnam.

Rated: C+

Mar 15, 2011

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The drama wavers between being compelling and reaching too far for greater historical significance, that it loses its bearings.

Rated: B

Dec 26, 2009

Full Review

Read all reviews

Audience Member

How did Luke McCoy become commander of a US Navy gunboat? Man, this is one drag of a movie.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

Full Review

Kevin B

Long movie but so good

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

Aulton W

It is a good long story movie if you have the time. it does drag out through some sections but it's a good movie to watch all the way through.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Christopher B

I thought the film was good, a little long, but interesting nonetheless. Steve McQueen was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance and there are some good performances here, but some appears a little too much like it's scripted. For a film made in 1966, the themes here are very modern for their time and very applicable today.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/29/22

Full Review

colin m

Political tensions ride high in the 1920s between an American navy ship crew and the Chinese. Steve McQueen stars. A long movie, at 2 hours 53 minutes.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

jelisije j

Arguably the greatest war movie of all time.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Robert Wise

Director

Steve McQueen

Jake Holman

Richard Attenborough

Frenchy Burgoyne

Candice Bergen

Shirley Eckert

Richard Crenna

Captain Collins

Mako

Po-han

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Goliathon

54%

36%

Goliathon

Watchlist

Crusoe

62%

44%

Crusoe

Watchlist

Danzon

67%

73%

Danzon

Watchlist

Pirates

27%

51%

Pirates

Watchlist

Rough Magic

25%

40%

Rough Magic

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Isaac Hayes Quits "South Park" Over Scientology Row

Hollywood Giant Robert Wise Passes Away at 91

View more photos

Synopsis

In 1926, the USS San Pablo patrols the Yangtze River during the clashes between Chiang Kai-shek's communists and Chinese warlords. Eight-year veteran machinist Jake Holman (Steve McQueen), new to the self-named "sand pebbles" crew, immediately draws deep suspicion due to his independent streak. Ordered to protect Americans, including schoolteacher Shirley Eckhart (Candice Bergen), Jake and the gunboat crew are unwittingly drawn into a bitter nationalistic feud that holds grim consequences.

Director: Robert Wise
Producer: Robert Wise
Screenwriter: Robert Anderson
Distributor: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Production Co: Solar Productions, 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 1966, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 3h 2m

Most Popular at Home Now