THE SAND PEBBLES is an adventurous war drama that, in a fascinating way, shows a confusion of an unstable society towards an external symbol of prejudice and an internal growth of nationalist revolution. The environment, which is a kind of collision of the culture and the traditions blended with poverty and ignorance, is fascinating. The photography is very impressive. The story shows an unbalanced relation between rebellious and responsible characters, which are exposed to impending, but shocking, events. It is based on the novel of the same name by Richard McKenna.In 1926, as China teeters on the edge of political revolution in the midst of a civil war, the USS San Pablo, is ordered to patrol the Yangtze River to represent and protect American interests. The ship is nicknamed the "Sand Pebble" and its sailors "Sand Pebbles". The new crew member is Machinist's Mate 1st Class Jake Holman. Because he takes an interest in mechanical work, Holman involves himself directly in the operation and maintenance of the ship's engine. As a result, the chief engine room coolie, Chien, is insulted. Holman also earns the antipathy of most of his fellow sailors. He does become close friends with one seasoned, sensitive seaman, Frenchy. A stern but inexperienced commanding officer Captain Collins frequently drills his charges, unsure what else to do. Holman's methods and his empathy for the Chinese population leads to frequent clashes. When Frenchy dies from a disease, Holman has found himself, protecting Frenchy's pregnant wife, at the center of a political scandal...This is the story of the anger, bitterness, reluctance and non-acceptance. The direction is excellent, the atmosphere is dark, while the plots are extremely turbulent. Well, there are present a kind of ironic attitudes, particularly in the case of political turmoil or, to say, in a case of rescue nationals who do not want to be saved. Of course, that irony can not be effective without a well-known inferiority, arrogance and hypocrisy. In such relations, we do not need a hero.Steve McQueen as Jake Holman is somewhat desperate and closed character, who has no confidence in his superiors and a common mission. He is an engineer, who does his job very well, takes care of his only friend, and run away from love, so as not to hurt a lovely missionary.Richard Crenna as Lieutenant Collins is a sharp and stubborn captain, who does not have enough self-confidence. Richard Attenborough as Frenchy Burgoyne is a sailor who tries to plant a life where the world is falling apart. Marayat Andriane as Maily is a touch of an exotic, who is associated with her cruel fate in an uncompromising society. Candice Bergen as Shirley Eckert is a beautiful missionary who gives love and kindness, and in return receives a war.

Great performance by Steve McQueen offset by unfocused, badly paced, meandering plot.1926. China is in the middle of a revolution. US, British and French gunboats patrol the rivers, but are meant to be neutral in the conflict, though this does not stop them from being attacked. Onto one such US gunboat, the USS San Pablo ("Sand Pebble" to its crew) steps Petty Officer Jake Holman, newly-appointed chief engineer.Not your typical Steve McQueen movie. For the most part this is more a human drama than an action movie. McQueen here is more an anti-hero than a hero, and displays a rare sensitivity and vulnerability in his performance.The performance garnered McQueen his one and only Oscar nomination. Remember that at the next trivia night!The script, however, undermines his efforts. For the first two hours or so it meanders without any real point. Even worse, it is quite schmaltzy and trite. After a point the pace lifts dramatically and you feel that at last the movie has found its direction. This is then all undone by the last few scenes where we have naive idealism (that seemed to come from nowhere), idealism shown up (so, which side is the writer on?), implausible gung-ho military tactics and a very unoriginal, predictable and conventional conclusion. Overall, it's okay, though quite uneven, especially in the pacing and the message.

There are films that every man should see more than once. This war film, which had eight Oscar nominations, fits nicely between From Here to Eternity and Apocalypse Now. There is so much to think about along with great action, that you will miss key moments on your first viewing. I guarantee it. There is a good argument that the nomination for Best Picture should have resulted in a win. This is Steve McQueen's only Oscar nomination and it should have definitely resulted in a win, as this is the definitive Steve McQueen film. He shows more strength and character in this film that most actors of today and established himself as a REAL MAN. Mako was nominated for a Supporting Actor Oscar. I have a hard time choosing between he and Richard Crenna for the best supporting performance. Both were way more worthy than any other nominees. All of the artistic notes in this film - cinematography, sound, music, art direction - were superb. William Reynolds did an outstanding job of editing this 179 minute film so that there was never a lag and the action was all smooth and essential. Four-time Oscar winner Robert Wise did an outstanding job of putting it all together to make a film that stands the test of time and, despite being set in 1920s China, is just as relevant to what is happening in the Middle East today.

I can't claim to know anything about the history of the Sand Pebbles, and I only know a bit about the actual historical period it took place in, but I would imagine that this story made some people unhappy. It's set in a time in history where America was someplace it probably didn't belong, but of course, that didn't make the American soldiers in China villains.Set during the time of Western occupation of China in the early 20th century, the movie does its best to portray its subjects fairly, with nasty and kind Americans and cowardly, duplicitous, and noble Chinese. Nevertheless, it's hard to come away from this movie without seeing the racist mindset from which it comes. I don't mean this as an insult, necessarily, as a piece of film history it can only be judged by the standards of its time. As a piece of entertainment, however, its moral discoveries that "the Chinese are perfectly capable of learning how American technology works!" and "they're just trying to get ahead, look how reasonable they are when they can speak English well!" are basically the stuff of children's cartoons these days.These flaws and the awkwardly antisocial nature of Steve McQueen's character make the first two-thirds of the movie drag in parts, no matter how good the production values are (they're very good). That still isn't quite enough to drag down a very strong ending, however, where the path the movie takes manages to keep you guessing until the very end.