Customer Reviews

The Sand Pebbles [VHS]

5 star:		(95)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Steve McQueen was known for many things-- action films, fast cars, motorcycles, a charismatic presence (on screen and off), and his true "tough guy" persona. But with this film, another description moves to the top of that list: Actor. Anyone who doubts what a great actor McQueen was need only watch this film, because his performance here as Jake Holman is simply as good as it gets. "The Sand Pebbles, " directed by Robert Wise, is the story of Holman, a sailor assigned to the U.S. Gunboat, "San Pablo," stationed on the Yangtze River in China in 1926 (the sailors aboard are known as "sand pebbles"). It's primary function is to patrol the river and thereby establish an American presence in China, a country currently experiencing a period of political unrest and impending upheaval. It's a new assignment for Holman, and it suits him just fine; his job is to keep the ship's engines up and running, and because of the size of the ship, he's the only engineer-- it's just Jake and his engine. And that's the way he likes it. Holman is a loner by nature, and something of an iconoclast. At one point, when he is asked his opinion of American Foreign Policy and their presence in China, he simply says, "I don't mess with it. It's all look-see-pidgin, somethin' for the officers."

Eventually, however, Holman is nevertheless drawn into the conflict through a series of events that impact him beyond all personal resistance, the most significant being when American lives are threatened throughout China, and Holman and a landing party are sent ashore to protect and escort some missionaries back to the safety of the San Pablo. But at the mission, Holman discovers a way of life, the likes of which he's never known, and for the first time ever, he realizes a sense of belonging. And he likes it. For Holman, however, it may be too late; the political turmoil throughout the country has put the lives of everyone at the mission in peril, including a young missionary named Shirley Eckert (Candice Bergen), with whom Holman has made a connection he simply cannot dispel; for in Shirley, he discerns an innocence and a goodness that compels him, and in which he finds a welcome sense of fulfillment. So what began as a routine mission becomes a salient point in Holman's life, and he is faced with the most important decision he's ever had to make.

This is the one for which McQueen should have won an Oscar. As Holman, he demonstrates an emotional range and depth that runs the gamut from almost boyish naivete to a world weary veteran of life who has seen and heard it all. Utterly convincing, he can say more with a slight incline of his head, a slow blink or shifting of his eyes than most actors could say with reams of dialogue at their disposal. He communicates with so much more than words, and there's meaning in everything he says and does-- he never wastes a line or a single moment. What he does with this role is magnificent; it's the definitive McQueen performance. His Holman is the personification of the loner, and in creating him he delivers something few actors could ever equal: He's tough, convincing and charming-- all at the same time. And he should've taken home The Statue for it.

As Collins, the Captain of the San Pablo, Richard Crenna gives one of his finest performances, as well, and it cemented his transition from television actor to a career on the big screen. After this, there was no going back. His portrayal of the somber, introspective Captain is riveting, and in him you readily perceive Collins' sense of duty and honor, as well as his overwhelming sense of futility and failure. And the urgency with which he grasps his chance for redemption, even in the face of insurmountable odds, is entirely believable as it is consistent with the character he has created.

The superlative supporting cast includes Richard Attenborough (Frenchy), Emmanuelle Arsan (Maily), Mako (Po-han), Larry Gates (Jameson), Charles Robinson (Bordelles), Simon Oakland (Stawski), Ford Rainey (Harris), Joe Turkel (Bronson) and Gavin MacLeod (Crosley). A powerful drama, extremely well crafted and presented by Wise, "The Sand Pebbles" is a great and memorable film that will forever stand as the pinnacle of McQueen's successful career. Jake Holman is a character you will never forget, because there is something of him-- that wistful longing to belong, perhaps-- in all of us. A timeless classic among classics, this is one of the greatest motion pictures of all time, and is by definition, the magic of the movies.

This 1966 film is a big budget adaptation of the 1962 novel by Richard McKenna. Directed by Robert Wise, it gleaned nine academy award nominations. I remember reading the book a very long time ago, and remember it as an adventure story. But by watching this DVD, I see now that it is much more. And I also see how it relates to what is happening in the world today.

The setting is China in 1926. Violent conflicts were everywhere. Warlords were fighting each other, and the Nationalist leader Chang Kai-Shek was gaining power. In addition, the Communists were fighting against the Nationalists. Because the U.S. had interests there, they had a few Navy gunboats going up and down the river. They weren't supposed to do anything - just be a show a force. But the Chinese, from all the different factions, wanted the Americans out. "Go Home Foreigners" was their battle cry. The Americans knew that at any moment an international incident could erupt. Sound familiar?

Steve McQueen, in the best performance of his career, is cast as a Navy machinist on the gunboat, which was nicknamed the "Sand Pebbles". When he joins the crew, he's surprised to discover that the "Coolies" do all the hard work - everything from cooking to cutting hair to running the engine. He opposes this as he wants to run the engine himself, and after some conflict, and an accidental death, he befriends one of the Coolies, and teaches him how to run the boat. Later, there are violent consequences.

There is tension throughout between McQueen and the crew for many reasons. And we soon know who the good guys and the bad guys are. Richard Attenborough plays a good guy. He falls in love with a young Chinese woman in bondage to the local house of pleasure. Another good guy is the Captain of the ship, played by Richard Crenna. He believes in ideals and is determined to act with valor even though he has to make some hard choices. Steve McQueen is the ultimate good guy though. He acts on instinct and every move is from the heart.

Then there's the crew who treat the Coolies badly and fight against every improvement that McQueen wants to implement. They also are willing to almost cause a mutiny when an incident occurs in which the Chinese call for McQueen's blood. We also see the naivety of the missionaries, one of whom is Candice Bergen, who think that by declaring themselves "stateless persons" the Chinese will not see them as Americans. The film is a series of battles. Some of the battles are with guns. Others are moral ones. Together they create a huge mosaic of high adventure coupled with questions of intervention. There are no easy answers.

The DVD has several features by Robert Wise in which he discusses the making of the film. However, to my disappointment, they are all in audio only. We hear his voice superimposed over a static scene or the logo from the film. After all the high adventure of the film, I was bored by these and didn't watch them.

However, the film stands alone on its own. It's almost three hours long, but yet every moment is action packed with complex interweaving stories. There isn't one dull part and all of the acting is great. I loved it. I therefore give it an extremely high recommendation. Not to be missed.

The Sand Pebbles is an absolutely terrific movie, which is centered on the pitfalls of involving the military in a culture it simply does not understand. The cinematography of the Asiatic land and seascapes is literally breath-taking, and the movie's script is compelling, multilayered, and tends to keep you guessing as to where this is going and what the consequences may be for the crew of a U.S. gunboat slowly becoming entangled in the internal domestic politics of early 20th century China without understanding the dangerous complexities of the situation.

The cast is stellar, starting with what may have been perhaps the finest and most accomplished acting by Steve McQueen in his long and illustrious career. Here McQueen does more with a series of facial shots than most actors could do with a gunboat full of dialogue. It also includes a very young and beautiful Candace Bergen, a remote and imperious "by the book" and dangerously gung-ho skipper played quite well by Richard Crenna, as well as wonderful performances by Mako, Richard Attenborough, and a number of notable others. All of them add to the progress of the drama, but it is McQueen's reawakening as a person during the progress of the movie that is the centerpiece of its story, as he slowly transforms from a selfish, emotionally remote, and cynical sailor into a person who increasingly recognizes that there things in life worth fighting and even dying for.

The movie is quite long at 180 minutes (3 hours), but through its length provides a very interesting, absorbing, and off-beat look at how our country sometimes becomes embroiled in international incidents without understanding what is going on, and how that military involvement, whether it is in a sleeping China or in Vietnam (which was the obvious parallel in the mid-sixties when this was made) affects everyone involved. Don't miss this chance to see Steve McQueen and a strong supporting cast in this terrific though perhaps subtle anti-war movie.

The Sand Pebbles is the best Steve McQueen movie in my opinion. His portrayal of Seaman Jake Holman aboard a U.S. gunboat in China during the 1920's is awesome. Also the supporting cast of Richard Crenna as the Captain of the gunboat the San Pablo, Candice Bergen as a VERY beautiful missionary who falls for Holman, and Sir Richard Attenborough as Holman's Navy buddy Frenchie, and Mako as a coolie that Holman trains, give fine performances as well. There is plenty of action especially during the battle scene where the San Pablo must fight through a line of Chinese junks linked together. It is exciting. The romance storyline between McQueen and Bergen is touching. I highly recommend this film.

The Sand Pebbles is an extremely well made movie. The ensemble cast is exceptional but the standouts are Steve McQueen and RIchard Crenna.

McQueen is outstanding as Jake Holman, a First Class Machinest Mate, who is devoted to his machinery and has extremely limited ability to interact with his fellow crewmembers. Note the several hashmarks denoting length of service on his uniform but he isn't wearing a good conduct medal. He is perceived as an outsider by the crew of the San Pablo and a potential troublemaker by the captain of the ship. At this time in Naval history, a good man could and would stay in a single ship for years at a strectch. One who moved frequently was considered to be a problem Sailor which is noted by Holman's new commanding officer. With time, Holman is able to mix in a limited way with his shipmates. However, his best friend is a Chinese bilge coolie who shares his passion for engines. Holman acquires further enemies amongst the Chinese unofficial crew members as he trains Po Han as an engineer. Holman is indirectly involved in the death of the boss bilge coolie which further exacerbates his strained relations with both the American and Chinese members of the crew.

Richard Crenna is excellent as a commanding officer at the this distant end of America's Naval reach. His task is to keep his men motivated to the mission at hand which is to represent American power in Asia. At the same time knowing that the missionaries in the area dislike them and the businessmen tolerate them as a required evil. He also has the task of motivating his crew when they all realize that no one back in the US knows or cares that there are several hundred US Sailors on the Yangtze "showing the flag". It is every commanding officers biggest challenge - to prepare their crews for war in a time of peace.

Coupled with being the smallest ship being the fartherst into China, is the local unrest as various warlords are establishing local control, various military forces are making in attempt to influence events and student unrest boils up. Is it any wonder that the crew is confused as to what thier missions are. But rather than worry, they head for the local saloons and leave the bigger decisions to the officers.

This film tells the story of not just a single man, it tells the story of generations of men who served in China. Some came and stayed when their Navy careers were over. Some came and never left and are buried there. Others came and left and have never forgotten their time there. They did their duty and that was all the America asked of them, or at least the diplomats. I'm sure that in the 20s, very few, if any, Americans ever realized that there were hundreds of US Sailors patrolling thousands of miles of rivers and coasts to preserve America's rights in China.

The Sand Pebbles is a comprehensive movie that shows the Asisatic Sailors at their best and worst. It should be a must see movie for anyone intersted in America and China and how our present relationship developed.

This movie may well be Steve McQueen's best role. In fact, it was the only role for which he received an Oscar nomination. Unfortunately, the Academy chose Paul Schofield in 1966 for his role in "A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS" and McQueen never again received an Oscar nomination. His career lasted only another 14 years as he died at the all too young age of 50 in 1980 from mesothelioma.

This is an excellent adaptation of Richard McKenna's novel of the same name. McQueen plays Jake Holman, a Machinist's Mate 1st Class and the central figure in the story. He is joined by Richard Crenna, in his Oscar nominated role (best supporting actor) as LT Collins, commanding officer of the USS San Pablo, Richard Attenborough as Jake's friend, Frenchy Burgoyne, Mako as the Chinese coolie Po-Han (who Jake trains to run the engine room) and a beautiful 19 year old Candice Bergen in her first major screen role.

Filmed on location on Taiwan and the city of Kaoshiung (which resembled Shanghai of the 1920s), the movie concerns itself with the US Navy gunboat, the San Pablo. The ship is a veritable relic, it was captured from Spain by the USA in the Spanish American war and is only used to patrol the less meaninful tributaries of the Yangtze River. Staioned primarily in Tung Ting Lake and the city of Changsha, the gunboat's mission is to defend American lives and interests in the interior of China in the days when even Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists did not control all of the warlords.

McQueen is outstanding as the "loner" sailor who has transferred 8 times in his first 9 years in the navy. Each time, he has transferred to smaller and smaller ships so as not to have to deal with all the "military crap." He is the consummate ship's engineer and all he seems to care about are the engines he works on. Respected for his technical prowess, he receives poor performance appraisals for leadership and teamwork. McQueen, who himself was a major "motorhead" was ideally cast for the part. Throughout the movie, he does more with facial expressions and inflections in his voice than any other actor before or since. It was no wonder that his acting brethren in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated him for the Oscar for Best Actor of 1966.

As the movie progresses, McQueen begins to soften. There are several reasons. He develops a good friend in Frenchy Burgoyne, he befriends and trains the coolie, Po-Han to run the engine and supervise the other Chinese engine-room coolies and he begins to fall for Candice Bergen, who plays an idealistic young missionary from Vermont, recruited to teach the Chinese at the mission known as China Light.

But a happy ending is not in store for these actors in the drama of Chinese history. It is 1926 and the Chinese masses are awakening to the unfairness of having foreign navies patrolling the hinterlands of China, the unequal treatment of Chinese vs. Europeans and Americans and the burgeoning conflict between the Nationalists (under Chiang Kai-shek) and the Communists under Mao Tse-Tung.

This is an epic movie, made on a grand scale. All of the details are there; from the 1920s USN uniforms, to the actual working engine room used to portray the one found on the San Pablo. All of the performances are weel delivered and the supporting cast, which included Gavin MacLeod (pre-LOVE BOAT) is first rate. There is high drama and many first-rate action and battle scenes, especially when the San Pablo fights it's way across Lake Tung Ting to rescue the American missionaries at China Light.

This is a story of mutual awakenings. One is on the most personal and individual level and the other is on a national and international scale. It is also a fine history lesson about a period of time, not too long after WW I, when the United States began to flex its muscles and started to assume its place among the "players" on the world stage. There are some very interesting parallels between the USA in China in the 1920s and the USA in Vietnam in the 1960s as well. As this movie was being made on Taiwan, the United States was escalating its own involvement in Indo-China. Jake Holman's story in this movie is also the story of the United States as it became a world power.

If you want to see an outstanding movie, the type that is rarely made any more and if you want to see Steve McQueen's finest performance, then do not miss THE SAND PEBBLES. And despite the mixed messages, this movie is also a tribute to the men of the US NAVY, who left all they knew at home, to patrol the backwaters of China and to show the American flag.

Paul Connors

Features on this 2-Disc Special Edition include...

Specs:
* 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
* English DD4.0 Surround and Stereo
* French Mono
* English, French and Spanish subtitles

Disc 1:
* Anamorphic Widescreen Feature (Theatrical Version)
* Audio Commentary by Director Robert Wise and actors Candice Bergen, Mako & Richard Crenna
* Isolated score and FX with commentary by Music Producer Nick Redman, Film Music Historian Jon Burlingame, Screenwriter (The Limey, Dark City) and Film Historian Lem Dobbs

Disc 2 (Side A):
* Roadshow Version Feature
* Robert Wise Roadshow Intro
* Richard Zanuck Roadshow Intro

Disc 2 (Side B):
* "The Making Of Sand Pebbles" Featurettes (view individually or play all)
* Side Bars:
o Steve McQueen Remembered
o Robert Wise In Command
o China 1926
* From FOX Vault:
o A Ship Called SAN PABLO- Narrated by Richard Attenborough
o The Secret of the SAN PABLO- Narrated by Richard Crenna
* Radio Documentaries Narrated by Richard Attenborough:
o Changsha Bund and the Streets of Taipei
o A Ship Called SAN PABLO
* Radio Spots:
o 2:00 of audio over static image
* Theatrical Trailer
* Still Galleries
* MAD Magazine's THE "SAM PEBBLES"

Robert Wise was most well-known at the time he made this movie as the director of West Side Story and The Sound of Music, but he had directed top-notch action pictures like The Day the Earth Stood Still and the submarine picture Run Silent, Run Deep as well as the gritty drama I Want to Live. As far as I'm concerned he was far more at home in this kind of material than elsewhere, and it is regrettable that this picture has been overshadowed by the two musicals. This is a big production--a big star, color, scope, location photography--like so many movies of the era but it is far more dramatically compelling than most blockbusters. Steve McQueen certainly gives the best performance of his career in the loner/outsider role that fit him perfectly. (Bullitt may be McQueen's best movie, but it is little more than a showcase for the star.) The Sand Pebbles was strikingly photographed by Joe McDonald and it is unfortunate that the video is only available in pan-and-scan; I hope Fox will see fit to put out a DVD in the correct format sometime soon, since this would make an excellent candidate for digital transfer.

Some movies don't age well. Others get better as time goes by. Put The Sand Pebbles in the latter category; its message of racial tolerance and subtle, intelligent questioning of American gunboat diplomacy seems more relevant than ever right now, and the overall quality of the film makes it shine brightly, 34 years on.

Bob Wise made many great films, but this may be his best, on par with The Sound Of Music, I'd say. Steve McQueen made some fine movies, and this may be his peak. Ditto Richard Crenna; his is in fact probably the finest performance here, a true tour de force. Attenborough is also splendid, as is Bergen, who combines innocence and intelligence in a lovely, understated way. Mako as well says volumes while saying little. The cinematography is gorgeous, as are the locations in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Jerry Goldsmith turns in a typically perfect score. There is in fact almost nothing not way above average for '60s Hollywood here. Or any period of cinema, in fact.

At over 3 hours, a film has got to be good to keep you committed. Sand Pebbles does that easily, with a tight script and emotional tension that never lets up. Its frank and for the time unusually brave assessment of American imperialism rings true decades later, and seems quite prescient (when if ever will we get The Afghan Pebbles?). There's more depth on most every level here than we get these days, to be sure. And yet there's also understatement and elegance to spare. It feels like a big budget studio film but looks like real art, a combination all too rare in any cinematic era. And considering that China now owns more of our debt than any other country, and we just keep borrowing more for yet another wonderful war, the messages here about Chinese-American relations have a real resonance. Some of this film looks very racist by today's standards, no doubt, and really makes one reconsider how we treat and have treated other nations and peoples. Only a truly great film can tackle so many issues and still be warm and heartfelt; Sand Pebbles is one of a kind, a true classic.

If only all old classics got this kind of reverent blu-ray package! There's nothing lacking here, from a perfect transfer that seems like you're back in the theater in December 1966 to hours of extras. An hour doc on the film that's very good; short docs on McQueen (everybody loved him, it seems), Wise (the same), the ship, etc. Radio spots. A separate film score (ALL films with good scores should have this! ALL of them! Can you hear us out there in Hollyweird?) with commentary yet, an even rarer thing; a main commentary; interviews with most of the old stars; deleted scenes, a few of which I wish had been in the film (Steve and Candice in a tough little talk, and a perfect McQueen/Attenborough exchange that sums up the heart of the film in one line: "What do you call her?" Don't miss that one); and more. Now that's the sort of cornucopia a film fan dreams of.

All in all, one of the very best blu-rays I've seen, in every way.

What a difference, and what a treat, when a studio shows respect for both the film and for the fans.

I just finished watching the DVD version of this movie that I purchased. I owned the VHS version and I must say I was greatly impressed with the restoration - it's just gorgeous with the full intro and intermission music. This was the only time that Steve McQueen was nominated for an Oscar and when you see this you'll wonder why he didn't win. I think this role was created just for him - his personality fit the character of Jake Holman perfectly - when Robert Wise first decided to do this movie he wanted Steve for the role but the powers that be at the time didn't think he was an important enough star to back. Wise then did several other movies in the interim and by the time he came back to actually produce the picture Steve had a few more pictures under his belt and was now acceptable to the backers. Paul Newman had originally been offered the part but turned it down - thank goodness he did - although I love Paul Newman, this definitely was not a character he came even remotely close to. I can only say that if you rent or buy this DVD you will not be disappointed!!!!