| The Sand Pebbles (Two-Disc Special Edition) |  | Director: Robert Wise
Actors: Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Candice Bergen, Richard Crenna, Emmanuelle Arsan
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
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Rating:  105 reviews
Sales Rank: 6,993
Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Languages: English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 1
Discs: 2
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Running Time: 182 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: 024543440581
UPC: 024543440581
EAN: 0024543440581
ASIN: B000O78L00
Theatrical Release Date: December 20, 1966
Release Date: June 5, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Tells the stories of the lives of the crewmen aboard the U.S.S. San Pablo, stationed in revolution-torn China in 1926.
Amazon.com
Following the success of The Sound of Music, director Robert Wise chose to film Robert McKenna's prize-winning 1962 novel, The Sand Pebbles--an ambitious choice for a director at the peak of his career. Shot in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the film combines historical sweep and intimate human drama in several parallel stories, all revolving around U.S. Navy machinist's mate Jake Holman (Steve McQueen). Holman is a skillful but fiercely independent sailor who joins the "sand pebble" crew of the U.S.S. San Pablo, a Navy gunboat patrolling the Yangtze River on the eve of the Chinese revolution in 1926. The San Pablo's inexperienced captain (Richard Crenna) obsessively defends the Navy's mission--however unnecessary or unwanted--to protect American missionaries and businessmen, blind to the more dangerous implications of American involvement with China's opposing political factions. Holman is a defiant voice of humanity in this clash between outmoded values and inevitable change; his final line of dialogue ("What the hell happened?") is a tragic summation of misguided policy, expressing the film's criticism of the Vietnam War. Rather than preach, however, Wise lets McKenna's potent drama emerge from finely-drawn relationships--between Holman and a young American teacher (19-year-old Candice Bergen, in her second film); between Holman and the Chinese "coolie" (Mako) whose heartbreaking fate transcends all issues of racial or political difference; and between crewmate "Frenchy" Burgoyne (Richard Attenborough) and the Chinese woman he's sworn to love and protect at all costs. Combined with the film's colorful supporting cast, adventurous scope, and climactic battle scenes, these personal dynamics bring substance and spirit to a complex story of good intentions gone awry. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 105
 Classic McQueen Down the Yangtze! August 27, 2010
Scotman (Mt. Shasta, CA)
The Sand Pebbles is a dramatic war film, taking place during the Chinese revolution of the 1920s but really was a commentary by director Robert Wise on America's involvement in Southeast China during the Sixties (the film being produced in 1966).
Wise created an old-fashioned style of film, with a lengthy music introduction, an intermission of a music interlude and a short credit roll at the end.
Conflict!
Several of the characters are in conflict. Frenchie, falls for a Chinese woman, who is a hostess in a brothel. He recognizes her innocence and wants to protect her while the sailors (and even the SPs (shore patrol)) want to do something more carnal. Frenchie wants to raise the 200 dollars needed to free her. He ends up marrying her -- which in reality costs him his life.
Steve McQueen's character Jake is a conflicted Navy sailor. He just wants to work on his engines and that's it! Except when he gets to the San Pablo (Sand Pebbles) that the ship is being run by coolies (Chinese laborers); often being taken advantage of and treated like second class citizens ("slope heads"); Jake is again conflicted -- should he go along with the clearly illegal Chinese labor aboard or do the work himself? He sees things wrong with engine too. "But we've never had trouble before," says his wimpy & weak captain (in my opinion!). Why make waves, Jake? Jake going along with it costs a man his life.
Jake is also conflicted about being forced to fight -- men die, he feels conflicted. Being forced to kill a friend, he feels rebellious. Quit the whole thing, go back to the missionary settlement at China Light and run away with Candice Bergen (a very fine 18 year old in this picture). Fate has other plans.
And the captain, well-played by Richard Crenna. He gets to a point where he feels he has failed his men, failed the Navy and his country. At one point he tries to take the coward's way out and becomes suicidal -- this changes as the civil war in China takes international proportions.
The story is very complex and it's difficult for me to write an entire plot summary, so I won't. I will say that the realism, the expanding cinematography, and literally a cast of thousands make this one of Richard Wise's best films. It was at this time he filmed Sound of Music as well. Wise clearly has range!
Highly recommended, even for the viewer with a mere layman's understanding of the history of the USA, Britain and the conflict in China in the 1920s! An hours-long drama, filled with combat, love, honor, and even conflict and cowardice! A must-see film!
Other Robert Wise Gems:
United Artist Cinema Greats Collection, Set 2 (The Great Escape / Rocky / West Side Story / The Thomas Crown Affair)
Thunder Road
The Desert Rats
American "gunboat" diplomacy in China August 15, 2010
Michael A Neulander (VA)
As a retired army officer and an adjunct history professor I thought it was important to review what I consider the best war movies. "The Sand Pebbles" is high on my list.
Engineer Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) arrives aboard the gunboat U.S.S. San Pablo nicknamed the Sand Pebble assigned to patrol a tributary of the Yangtze in the middle of revolution-torn 1926 China. This being the latest in a very long string of assignments for Holman due to an uncompromising view of his work leading to conflicts with many of his shipmates and captain (Richard Crenna). Ultimately the Sand Pebble is placed under quiet siege by the Chinese who are using this action as a symbol of the unwanted U.S. presence. Holman is implicated in an incident which could cause the start of an "all out" war and as such places him in a bad position with his shipmates. Hostility towards the gunboat's presence reaches a climax when the boat must crash through a river-boom and rescue missionaries (Candace Bergman) upriver.
This movie importantly portrays a little known piece of American history, that being our involvement in the "backwaters" of China during its political difficulties between the Nationalists and the Communists. The movie's message is to highlight the futility of our "gunboat" diplomacy. The movie was made in 1968 and of course is reflective of the rising unpopularity of our Vietnam experience. That being said, it is an excellent portrayal in many respects to the life of our soldiers and sailors in the Far East command, which in real life was sought after by many servicemen. A few romantic plot twists makes this a classic war movie that should be viewed by all who like the genre.
Classic Collection is Excellent August 8, 2010
WJM (NY USA)
This is not a review of the movie since there are many here much better than I could write.
I would like to point out this is the best assembled collection of material for a movie.
Disc 1 contains the 'Theatrical' version and is wonderfully restored and has 5.1 stereo.
Disc 2 is where the collection shines. The only criticism I have is that they chose to have this material on a double sided disc (meaning you have to physically flip the disc to play 'side B.') This contains (Side A) the "Roadshow' version. (Two short intros are included to explain what 'Roadshow' versions of movies were.) And although the color is faded and the print isn't restored - this version is really the 'director's cut' and if you like the movie this version is a must see and makes the collection outstanding. It includes many cut scenes which add to the enjoyment of the film.
Disc 2 also includes many fascinating documentaries - I never knew they actually built the ship for the movie!
I was pleasantly surprised to also find included a miniature reproduction of the Roadshow Souvenir Book (1966) and four mini lobby cards. This package will be appreciated by anyone who likes this film and I am pleased Fox went to all this effort when so many other 'special collections' are disappointing. If only all worthy movies were given such a treatment!
If you are a fan of this movie then you must have this collection.
One final personal note - I feel this is Richard Crenna's finest role which can be overlooked considering the other talented performances in this wonderful movie.
 Yellow Sea US Navy-1926 June 18, 2010
Michael Kerjman
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
A long epic story is about the US Navy regiment deployed in Yellow Sea as a part of geopolitics surrounding the Chine-1926 revolution, embedded from notions of history and characters' personal involvement.
Might be much better comprehended if the second part of a film (scenes 20-32) could be watch technically on that particular DVD borrowed.
Steve McQueen's finest May 23, 2010
Rebecca McKean (Weatherford, TX USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I believe this is Steve McQueen's finest movie. His acting is first rate. The movie is a bit long and detailed. You will want to keep up with each character. This is a wonderful movie and one worth owning and viewing time and time again. I'll bet it would be a great gift to a McQueen fan.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 105
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