Wonderful character development!

The greatest movie ever made..!

Perfectly adorable

An absolute waste of money

Having grown up with both the awkward, squeaky voiced Walter Denton of "Our Miss Brooks" and Luke McCoy of "The Real McCoys" what astounded me most about this very impressive film was the huge professional leap that Richard Crenna took in only a few, short years as a very complex and complicated Captain Collins. I can't remember any actor who made such a significant transformation in such a short period of time. Even Sally Field didn't jump from being the "Flying Nun" to "Norma Rae" until nearly ten years later when Hollywood declared that they "really, really liked her" by granting her an Oscar. After only a few years from being the amiable Luke McCoy, Crenna's remarkable performance here was most definitely Oscar worthy, and remember that "Wait Until Dark", another stellar effort by Crenna as the thug who was slowly falling in love with his beautiful, disabled victim, Audrey Hepburn, didn't appear on the screen until a year after this.Crenna's troubled (and very troubling!) character was only part of the film's ability to remain so watchable during its long three hours. The rest of the cast, led by a very magnetic Steve McQueen and a very talented Richard Attenborough, was outstanding. The story and the setting of political unrest in China during 1926 was very compelling, and Jerry Goldsmith's stirring musical score was the icing on the cake. For some reason, I never realize how much of a Steve McQueen fan I am until I start watching his films. This ranks as one of his very best.As to the film's very disturbing ending, I think that viewers will interpret it in accordance with their already established political philosophies, if they have any. Whether Captain Collins was actually ordered to rescue the missionaries at China Light remained unclear to me. What was clear to me was that these same missionaries did not want to be rescued in spite of the very real and obvious danger to their very lives, which transcended their specific political convictions. In the end, I felt much more emotionally drawn to Frenchy's Maily than to Jake's Shirley Eckert. I'm not sure if this was due to Bergen's acting ability or to the character itself. While Maily was an involuntary victim of circumstance, Shirley not only voluntarily chose to be in a very dangerous place but apparently resisted leaving in spite of the very real danger that surrounded her and the risk that her presence imposed upon the American sailors. For me, this difference made all the difference.

Great movie, but to those who call America "imperialist", tell me,how many Chinese agreed with that accusation AFTER they experienced the full weight of Communist domination? I bet none. Like the Soviet Union, not many migrate to China, but everyone wants to come to "imperialist" America, hmm. Odd, isn't it?

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.

Seaman engineer Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) transfers to gunboat USS San Pablo patrolling the Yangtze River in 1926 revolutionary China. From the start, it is culture shock. Much of the work on board is being done by Chinese coolies. There is a lot resentment in the Chinese population against these foreign militaries. Eventually the San Pablo finds themselves blockade by the Chinese Nationals. As the ship starts to deteriorates, so does the crew. Shirley Eckert (Candice Bergen) is a teacher at a mission.There is a lot going on here. At 182 minutes, it could have been a slow grind but the story flows quite well. There is a love story between a crewman and Chinese girl. Although it provide a key story element, it also saddles the movie with unnecessary melodrama. There is already enough drama. Steve McQueen is a powerful screen presence, and this probably wouldn't work as well with another actor.