
The Sand Pebbles
1966 · Movie · PG-13 · 196 min · ★ 7.2
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.
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Details
- Years
- 1966
- Release date
- 1966-12-20
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 196 min
- TMDB rating
- 7.2/10 (280 votes)
- Budget
- $12,100,000
Themes
- china
- missionary
- u.s. navy
- chinese
- battle
- gunboat
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Actor · 1967 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Film Editing · 1967 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Cinematography, Color · 1967 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Art Direction, Color · 1967 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Supporting Actor · 1967 · nominated
Show all 8 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Original Score · 1967 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Picture · 1967 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Sound · 1967 · nominated
Cast & crew

Steve McQueen
as Jake Holman

Richard Attenborough
as Frenchy Burgoyne

Richard Crenna
as Captain Collins

Candice Bergen
as Shirley Eckert

Mako
as Po-han

Larry Gates
as Jameson

Charles Robinson
as Ensign Bordelles

Simon Oakland
as Stawski

Ford Rainey
as Harris

Joe Turkel
as Bronson
Directed by Robert Wise