The Sand Pebbles
Drama, Romance, War
20th Century Fox  (1966) 179 mins NR

7.7 (4,048 votes)
Nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this "fascinating" (The New York Times) action-drama chronicles a volatile time in history and will resonate with generations to come. Directed with a "deft" (Life) hand by Oscar winner Robert Wise (The Sound Of Music), The Sand Pebbles earned Steve McQueen his only Oscar nomination and also stars Richard Attenborough and Candice Bergen.

1926 China. Engineer Jake Holman (McQueen) is transferred to the USS San Pablo, a gunboat patrolling the troubled waters of the Yangtze River. As Chinese factions battle around them, the crew has one singular mission: to protect American interests in the region... without provoking an international incident. But as hostility over the U.S. presence in the river intensifies, Holman and his sole ally (Attenborough) know their latest assignment - to save a U.S. mi...

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Cast and Crew
Steve McQueen  ......  Holman
Richard Crenna  ......  Collins
Candice Bergen  ......  Shirley
Richard Attenborough  ......  Frenchy
Emmanuelle Arsan  ......  Maily
Mako  ......  Po-han
Director  .....  Robert Wise
Producer  .....  Robert Wise; Charles H. Maguire
Writer  .....  Robert Anderson; Richard McKenna
Notes
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: Apparatus for simulating the gunshot wound in Richard Crenna's back, called a squib, is quite visible as he runs away from the camera in the China Light courtyard. (more)

Trivia:
During filming on the USS Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground outside Houston, Texas, Steve McQueen sent waves of fear (and consternation) through director Robert Wise when an old friend brought his Triumph motorcycle out to him - McQueen jumped on the motorcycle and roared off, not returning for almost an hour. (more)

Filming Locations:
20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA (more)

Quotes:
Captain Collins: Holman, I'll have you shot as a mutineer!
Jake Holman: Well shoot something!
(more)

Awards:
Nominated for 8 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 10 nominations (more)