7.5
Where can I stream The Sand Pebbles legally?
You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
The Sand Pebbles
1966·Movie
·3h 16min·PG-13·
The Sand Pebbles fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, a touch of humor.
Energy
Thrilling and tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Adrenaline7
- Tension7
- Spectacle7
Heart
Melancholic and cathartic
- Melancholy7
- Catharsis7
- Nostalgia7
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Dark Humor3
- Physical Comedy2
World
History, war, and society
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability6
Craft
Solid, not remarkable
- Direction7
- Acting7
- Narrative Structure7
Style
Standout cinematography
- Cinematography8
- Editing7
- Music Composition7
Energy
HighThrilling and tense
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Sand Pebbles is thrilling, tense, and spectacular. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Adrenaline7High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Tension7Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Spectacle7Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Violence7Physical conflict and intensity.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
- Scare2Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Warfare8Battles, strategy, and conflict.
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
Heart
MediumMelancholic and cathartic
Emotionally, it's melancholic, cathartic, and nostalgic.
All heart traits
- Melancholy7Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Catharsis7Emotional release and payoff.
- Nostalgia7Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Pathos6Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Wonder5Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Romance4Love stories and emotional connections.
- Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Coming of Age4Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Family Dynamics4Relationships and generational ties.
- Wholesome2Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
Related traits
- Bleakness7Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Dark Humor3Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Satire & Parody2Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Cringe Humor1Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor1Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
World
MediumHistory, war, and society
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around history, war, and society. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity5Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Historical8Period settings and real events.
- Warfare8Battles, strategy, and conflict.
- Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.
- Politics7Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
- Class & Capitalism7Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Mystery6Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
Craft
HighSolid, not remarkable
The craft is serviceable rather than remarkable.
All craft traits
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting7Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Character Depth7Rich, complex characterization.
- Intrigue7Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Dialogue Quality6Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Non-linear Narrative3Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative1Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Educational7Informative and instructive.
- Slow Burn7Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
- Fast Pace5Quick tempo and momentum.
Style
HighStandout cinematography
Look and sound: the cinematography stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Music Centrality6Songs central to storytelling.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Spectacle7Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
This is the heroic story of the men on the U.S.S. San Pablo who disturbed the sleeping dragon of savage China as the threatened world watched in breathless terror.
Engineer Jake Holman arrives aboard the gunboat USS San Pablo, assigned to patrol a tributary of the Yangtze in the middle of exploited and revolution-torn 1926 China. His iconoclasm and cynical nature soon clash with the 'rice-bowl' system which runs the ship and the uneasy symbiosis between Chinese and foreigner on the river. Hostility towards the gunboat's presence reaches a climax when the boat must crash through a river-boom and rescue missionaries upriver at China Light Mission.
Historical DramaWarfareSocial CommentaryPolitical IntrigueU.S. Navy1920s ChinaCultural ConflictAnti-Imperialism
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Related Movies and Shows
Overall: Similar vibe.
Movies
Shows
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Loading video…
Questions about The Sand Pebbles
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Sand Pebbles worth watching?
73
GoodGoodWatch scoreMostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 74/100 (IMDb 7.5). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Sand Pebbles rated?
PG-13Violence
It's rated PG-13 in the United States. Content advisories: violence.
How long is The Sand Pebbles?
3 h 16 min
The Sand Pebbles runs 3 h 16 min.
Was The Sand Pebbles a box office hit?
Budget$12 million
Box office$20 million
Roughly broke even. It cost about $12 million to make and earned $20 million worldwide, 1.7 times its budget.
What language is The Sand Pebbles in?
EnglishChinese
It was made in English, with some Chinese. Produced in United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR China.
In how many countries can I watch The Sand Pebbles?
54
+40
+40GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Sand Pebbles in 54 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Sand Pebbles use?
The AtonerAsian Hooker StereotypeShoot the Shaggy DogThe EngineerThe MutinyMachine EmpathyIdiot BallChinese LaundererAnyone Can DieInterrupted SuicideAnti-HeroYellow Periland 16 more
TV Tropes lists 28 storytelling tropes for The Sand Pebbles, including The Atoner, Asian Hooker Stereotype, Shoot the Shaggy Dog.