MovieChat Forums > The Sand Pebbles (1966) Discussion > Under-rated masterpiece.......

Under-rated masterpiece.......

posted 20 years ago by archer1949
14 replies | jump to latest

This film is a high water mark for everyone involved. I first saw it on TV about ten years ago and can't believe I (who was a film fanatic from a young age) had never even HEARD of it before. Arguably Steve McQueen's best performance. Definitely Robert Wise's masterpiece but was unfortunately overshadowed by that treacly sapfest Sound of Music. THIS should have been the best movie of 1966. It's too bad that it still does not get the it deserves as this message board attests. A real shame.

"I'm a white male age 18-49, everybody listens to me, no matter how stupid my ideas are."

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] BilligerVogel 20 years ago

I was pretty young when I first saw this film. (I'm just a little older than the film so...)
My father was watching it on television, He was an old Navy man, and was in the Navy when the Chinese kicked us out in the 40s-50s (?).
The memorable scenes for us was Steve teaching the coolie about the engine. "live steam, dead steam." "Lie s-tim, ded s-tim." Every time we'd see him in something we'd refer to him as "S-tim"!

As a child I didn't like the Captain. I was too young to understand his attitude toward his men after they were "trapped" in China. As I became older I came to realize he was doing what was necessary, and had a newfound respect for him. Wonderful performance by Crenna. As all the cast. They made it believable.

As a child I also remember the feeling of impending doom at the end when Holman stays behind in the palace. And how scary dying at the unseen hand of an enemy in a foriegn land. And the fact that you were their enemy more than they were yours...

Seeing it over the years cemented it as one of my top favorite movies. Too many people don't like the fact that Holman dies at the end, but life is like that. More than not it doesn't wrap up in a nice little package. Or the way you'd like it to...

I've got the tapes, I've just to get the DVD.

I would have loved to see this in the Rivoli's format... :(

[–] jstaunton 18 years ago

Just saw The Sand Pebbles for the first time. I also had never heard of it (my previous Steve McQueen experiences being Bullitt & Towering Inferno). All I can say is: fabulous! Just such a powerful film. McQueen's performance was extraordinary...the ability to convey Holman's mindset without speaking was just incredible piece of acting. And he was not alone. For such a large cast to have that many great performances is rare.
Anyway, Sand Pebbles definitely moves up my "memorable movies" list. I'm buying the DVD. I can't wait to hear Robert Wise's commentary!

[–] jquark 20 years ago

"The Sand Pebbles" was also one of the first major Hollywood films to not only cast an Asian actor (Mako) in a major role, but also to feature his character development and depth (rather than a stock stereotype, such as Charlie Chan).

George Takei's groundbreaking television role as Star Trek's Lt. Sulu occurred later, in 1969.

[–] heckles 19 years ago

I can usually laugh off patriotic BS, but I get chills down the spine every time I see that flag raised as the San Pueblo closes in on the river boom. And Wise's direction of that last scene in the courtyard - fantastic.

"Quit whining. I evaded your vital organs." --Motoko Aoyama

[–] miradeaux 20 years ago

I find it it funny at times but also very very tender.

I was about 5 years old when Steve McQueen died, so I am still catching up on some of his movies (Papillion had been my favorite since I was a child!), but so far this is one of my favorites.

a lot of war movies don't let me feel attached to the characters, but I feel such a tenderness for the entire cast of this movie... I think in particular when the coolie is saying "please shoot me" or something to that effect... very sad. Beautifully done, really.

Blame is for God and small children.

www.awordplease.com

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] miradeaux 20 years ago

I may be wrong as I have never been in the navy or any military for that matter, but I wonder if that is why he was so good in this role? It is hard for me to choose between this one and Papillion. They are both remarkable and unique - which is extremely rare these days.

Blame is for God and small children.

www.awordplease.com

[–] North_Londoner 20 years ago

I think this is the most erudite discussion thread I've read.

I concur with the comments, this really should be up there with 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' and 'Stalag 17'.

'My kith and kin, I have sinned'

'Heifer whines could be human cries'

[–] csu16387 19 years ago

I watched this on TV about a year and a half ago. It's time for me to see The Sand Pebbles again. This is one of Steve McQueen's best performances I've seen, certainly up there with Papillon, Hell is For Heroes, Bullitt, and The Great Escape. I'll probably appreciate this more since I'm more of a film buff now than I was seeing it the first time.

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] samjoey-1 18 years ago

The Sound of Music was 1965. You meant A Man for All Seasons, which took six of the eight Oscars it was nominated for, including Best Picture over The Sand Pebbles. The Sand Pebbles also had eight nominations, but won none.

[–] archer1949 18 years ago

Well, that's a little better. A Man For All Seasons was a very good film, if a little too stagy. Still, it is a pity that the only two movies Wise is best known for (Sound of Music and West Side Story are far inferior to his true masterworks like The Sand Pebbles and The Haunting.

If Christ was a carpenter, how much did he charge for bookshelves?.

[–] Gloede_The_Saint 17 years ago

I absolutly agree with you. Its a masterpeace. The movie is actually my all time favorite (atleast for know, theres a bunch of movies I haven't watched yet)

Somebody here has been drinking and I'm sad to say it ain't me - Allan Francis Doyle