The Sand Pebbles

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The Sand Pebbles

PG-13

Released Dec 20, 1966

3h 2m

Adventure

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Kevin B

Long movie but so good

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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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

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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

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jelisije j

Arguably the greatest war movie of all time.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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a.l.jude p

A jewel of a cinema wonder.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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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

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