I love this movie so much

You won't be disappointed!

That was an excellent one.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Having had a contentious three years in the US Navy as an officer myself no doubt cements the connection I feel for this movie which is my all time favorite. Simply put I find that every scene and word rings completely true, as if it could happen exactly this way in reality. It's a great story and true to life as it is, good and bad.

Much like many movies made during the Cold War, such as "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Doctor Zhivago;" this, too, had to be filmed in places only 'similar' to the actual locations...but, who cares!?!? It's an epic movie and extraordinary adventure starring one of my favorite movie 'tough-guy' heroes, Steve McQueen.The movie also stars the legendary Richard Attenborough (Director of "Gandhi" and "A Bridge Too Far," and, star of "Jurassic Park" and other greats).Richard Crenna ("First Blood") also stars; as does Candice Bergen ("Gandhi"); Simon Oakland ("Psycho;" "Bullit;" "West Side Story"); Mako ("Seven Years In Tibet;" "Pearl Harbor"); Joe Turkel ("The Shining"); Gavin McLeod ("Kelly's Heroes"), making it a star-studded movie that no one should miss!"The Sand Pebbles" has everything - great actors; a great script; a great soundtrack (by Jerry Goldsmith); great settings; action; intrigue; and, even a love story; and, even another 'almost' love story. It's a perfect movie, but, set in a time when China was a nation in upheaval and most every other nation in the world wanted a piece of it.A great epic classic - 11 stars! :)

The Sand Pebbles is a larger-than-life film. Great acting, great cinematography, great soundtrack. The soundtrack was very moving...the subtle notes work in perfect harmony with the visuals. McQueen's very best acting performance...a simple man with integrity and compassion, tough and low-key. McQueen immersed himself in this character...he probably deserved the Oscar he didn't get. Richard Crenna was very convincing as the self- indulgent, incompetent,stubborn, power-obsessed captain. Reminds me of some bosses I've had to suffer through. The key to this movie is the magical way in which we are transported to a forgotten time and place. Attention to detail, intense acting. One flaw I noticed was in the scene at the bar/ cat house in which it just seemed like a phony, overly lit, cavernous sound stage. It seemed so phony and out of place. A dark, claustrophobic setting would have been much more effective.

I had seen this film of war torn 1926 China in the theater when it first came out, and for that time period it was very different, if not shocking at times. Some would argue it is too long, and maybe some scenes are, but that helps to develop the characters very well.Looking at the film today, what really stands out for me today is that one could argue that Richard Crenna(Captain Collins) deserved an Oscar for best supporting actor, as his performance came close to upstaging Steve Mc Queen, who was of course outstanding.I bought the two disc special edition recently(highly recommended), and loaned the film to a couple of my friends and colleagues at the university where I work, and they both liked it. One, who has worked in China extensively believes it to be a fairly realistic looking film of the country and its people. My other friend, who had never heard of the film, watched it and thought it was good also.In other words, here is a film from almost half a century ago, that still captivates first time viewers with outstanding acting, direction, photography, and music. And yes, I bought the two disc music soundtrack also.The Sand Pebbles is an outstanding period film of historical fiction.