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The Sand Pebbles (20-Dec-1966)
Director: Robert Wise Writer: Robert Anderson From novel: The Sand Pebbles by Richard McKenna Keywords: Drama American sailor Jake Holman is a highly competent engineer, also a loner who doesn't fit well with the military machine. He is transferred to the USS San Pablo (becoming a "sand pebble"), a river gunboat patrolling in 1926 China. The ship runs with a retinue of coolie labor, with several in the engine room that he definitely does not want there. Despite this, he copes with dignity, and a similar dignity when others want to take advantage of a prostitute onshore. As China destabilizes, the San Pablo must make a final trip upriver. Excellent performances by all involved, earning McQueen an Oscar nomination.
REVIEWS Review by anonymous (posted on 30-Apr-2006) A brooding Steve McQueen stars
as a noncom who is sent from ship to ship due to his inability to
submit to authority figures. He is a master mechanic who wants to do
things his way and runs into trouble with the Status Quo of life in the
brown water navy sailing the rivers of China. This movie reminds me of
Richard Gere in "An Officer and a Gentleman"' in that the loner (Steve
McQueen) realizes in the end that its not all about you. A side note,
this movie also will make you hate the political correctness that U.S.
soilders must endure.
Review by anonymous (posted on 22-Jul-2005) This Movie, along with the
Graduate, were defining moments for both the time period and this
author personally. Although The Sand Pebbles was set pre-war China, its
spirit floated on the tide of the 60's and its vignettes universal in
their meaning for the 30's the 60's and to a some extent: today. The
gunboat's isolation among a growing foriegn presence fanatical in their
opposition while life aboard existed at the will of rigid traditional
authority is ceratinly a theme of the Sixties. The hardscrabble
individuality in the character of Jake Holman silenced by a system and
seeing a light for himself at the end of the tunnel is universal. The
Sand Pebbles souls, both comitted to and seperate from the struggle are
caught in its turmoil and move towards inescapable and tragic ends.
Richard Attenborough's work both as director and actor adds to the
accolades which eventually earn for him the title of "Sir" from his
country. His portrayal of Frenchy Burgoyne, whose smitten love ended in
his ruin came from the heart. Mako as Po-Han brought a flavor to the
film that transcended any token Asian characters as might have appeared
another director's work. Po-Hans dreams, abilities and spirit were
there for us all to experience making his end heart wrenching. This was
Steve McQueen's finest role. Outside of film, McQueen is more than
comfortable around machinery and weapons. Knowing both intimately is no
act for him and he breathes palatability into the ships engine room
because of it. He is perfect in a role as career enlisted Navy drawn
into an unsolvable conflict , at odds with his stilted commander and
discovering an emotional connection with a missionary's daughter.
(Another great career Navy role tailor made for a Hollywood actor was
The Last Detail starring Jack Nicholson seven years later). Unusual for
him; McQueen shows a range of emotion goping from his resignation to
life as a combative machinist's mate, to being disturbed by political
turn of events when suddenly exposed to the charm of a peaceful,
unpretientious and completely disarming woman. Eventually with her he
sees a future beyond what he thought his life could ever be and through
him, we see the same for ourselves: that second chance at happiness.
Richard Crenna was perfect as the inflexible Captain projecting US Navy
power into the heart of a disconcertingly foriegn culture rocked by
internal political turmoil. He is hard, decisive and on a road towards
irreversable command decisions within the impossible tack his mission
has taken. Into this film comes Candice Bergen. I fell in love with
Candice Bergen the moment I saw her face and I've been so smitten ever
since. Her character of Missionary Shirley Eckert was brought to the
screen as an understated but quietly confident performance. In their
day; actresses like Martha Hyer, Grace Kelly and Cybil Shepard
projected a stunning, icy beauty. Marilyn Monroe and Raquel Welch had a
sensual energy that seemed to come right out of the screen. Karen Black
, Goldie Hawn , Dyan Cannon and Natalie Wood each seemed to redirect
our attention from physical beauty in order to expose their unique
sense of humor. But Candice Bergen is the pretty girl in a gathering
you dismiss until she is engaging your thoughts, challenging your
ideas, proving to you with intellegence and educated confidence a
knowledge you both can share if you just listen. She is on your mind
long after the party is over. Before you realize it she's taken your
heart as well. I recommend this movie to everyone as one of the finest
examples of the decades cinema offerings. L.S.Beedle Jr
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