La canonnière du Yang-Tsé

I first saw this (the 182 mins version) in the early 90s.

Revisited it few days back but again the 182 mins version.

Tried very hard to get the 196 roadshow version but to no avail but was lucky to come across all the deleted/roadshow version scenes on YouTube uploaded by BossHossGT500.

McQueen deserved an Oscar for this movie and his anti hero/rebel character is an epitome of a cool rebel.

The movie has some amazing picturesque images.

For a war film, The Sand Pebbles features very little war/action scenes but that shouldn't deter u from watching this classic movie.

The last scene with the dialogue: I was home. What happened? What the hell happened?

The last scene is very poignant, surrealistic n far ahead of its time in terms of the horrors of war.

"The Sand Pebbles" is an epic war movie set during the 1920s in China.

Steve McQueen delivers one of his strongest performances as Jake Holman, the sailor responsible for the engine room of the U.S.S. San Pablo gunboat.

There are uncomfortable scenes in the film. The 1920s were not a time of political correctness and the treatment of the Chinese "coolies" on board the ship, and the bargirls on shore, is shocking.

Richard Attenborough plays the romantic Frenchy Burgoyne, who falls in love with the local bar's new hostess, Maily (Marayat Andriane).

The beautiful soundtrack by Jerry Goldsmith is memorable.

8 out of 10.

"The Sand Pebbles" was a throughly enjoyable movie. The setting was exotic and the story engaging. Though it starred Steve McQueen, who did an excellent job, its strength was the ensemble acting with a very talented cast including Richard Crenna, Richard Attenborough, Mako and Candice Bergen. The story was nicely involved and, though it portrayed the sailor's prejudices, did not feel condescending toward the Chinese as many war-type movies do. The men were caught up in the turbulent times and many of the conflicts portrayed seem to come more from troubled psyches. It is not Ramboish macho crap. I found the portrayals of the people and times entertaining. I had read the book so maybe I read more into the movie than others seeing it cold. It was a very good movie and well worth a watch.

I get tired of hearing how "they don't make them like that any more," but it's hard to imagine THE SAND PEBBLES being made today. If a current movie is three hours long, you can bet it's because the director has fallen in love with himself, not because the material merits it. THE SAND PEBBLES succeeds on just about every level: It is a compelling and complex story; it is beautifully filmed; the acting is mostly excellent; and there is a tremendous score. (Can you imagine a film today having an overture? Rampant adult ADD prohibits it.) The three hours gives you time to get to know the characters, sink into the Chinese setting, and become involved in the story. Just a little thing to notice, right at the start: Watch how McQueen fiddles with his napkin in the formal dining room. He's out of place, and doesn't know what to do with it; it's the kind of physical bit that McQueen does so well to elaborate his character. Credit must also be given to the late Richard Crenna. His captain of the San Pablo is a complex and conflicted character, and Crenna, while carrying off a largely formal role, delivers a very nuanced and moving performance. THE SAND PEBBLES is a movie for grown-ups, largely forgotten today but well worth your time.

This film begins in 1926 with a navy sailor by the name of "Jake Holman" (Steve McQueen) reporting for duty to the U.S.S. San Pueblo which is stationed near Shanghai, China. Since his last assignment was with the Asiatic Fleet he now looks forward to being on a smaller ship as he will now have complete control over the engine room without anybody interfering with his duties. At least, that is what he initially thinks. However, he soon learns that everything on board the ship is run by Chinese workers and this causes an immediate problem between him and the main engine room coolie named "Chien" (Tommy Lee). It also doesn't help his situation that the captain of the ship "Lieutenant Collins" (Richard Crenna) has taken an immediate dislike for him either. And these two issues become even more serious as the political situation in China begins to really explode. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a very well-made film which captures the political climate in China before World War II in a very fine manner. It also has some very good performances by both Steve McQueen and Richard Crenna as well. That being said, I thought that this was a pretty good movie for the most part and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.