The Sand Pebbles
“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.
Where to watch The Sand Pebbles in United States
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open The Sand Pebbles there. Availability last verified on June 20, 2026.
Where is The Sand Pebbles streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| India | — | Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| Canada | — | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| Australia | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| Germany | — | Amazon Video |
| France | Molotov TV | Orange VOD, Amazon Video, VIVA by videofutur |
| Spain | Tivify | Google Play Movies, Amazon Video |
| Japan | — | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, FOD |
About The Sand Pebbles
The Sand Pebbles is a 1966 English-language drama and war film directed by Robert Wise. The cast is led by Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Richard Crenna. It has a runtime of 3h 16m. Viewers rate it 7.2/10 across 300 ratings. In United States, it is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
The Sand Pebbles was produced by Robert Wise Productions, Solar Productions, and 20th Century Fox and made in United States of America and Taiwan. It was released on December 20, 1966, and carries a PG-13 certification. Made on a budget of about $12 million, it went on to gross $20 million worldwide.
- Director
- Robert Wise
- Writers
- Robert Anderson
- Release date
- December 20, 1966
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- PG-13
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America, Taiwan
- Budget
- $12 million
- Box office
- $20 million
- Production
- Robert Wise Productions, Solar Productions, 20th Century Fox
The Sand Pebbles cast & crew
The Sand Pebbles was directed by Robert Wise and written by Robert Anderson.
The cast features Steve McQueen as Jake Holman, Richard Attenborough as Frenchy Burgoyne, Richard Crenna as Captain Collins, Candice Bergen as Shirley Eckert, Mako as Po-han, and Larry Gates as Jameson.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, cinematography is by Joseph MacDonald, and it was produced by Robert Wise and Steve McQueen.
Is The Sand Pebbles worth watching?
The Sand Pebbles holds an audience score of 7.2/10 from 280 ratings, marking it as well-reviewed drama films.
At 3h 16m, it's a full-evening commitment.
If you enjoy drama and war, The Sand Pebbles is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch The Sand Pebbles
The Sand Pebbles isn't on a subscription service in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of The Sand Pebbles
Steve McQueen
Jake Holman
Richard Attenborough
Frenchy Burgoyne
Richard Crenna
Captain Collins
Candice Bergen
Shirley Eckert
Mako
Po-han
Larry Gates
Jameson
Charles Robinson
Ensign Bordelles
Simon Oakland
Stawski
Ford Rainey
Harris
Joe Turkel
Bronson
Gavin MacLeod
Crosley
Joe Di Reda
Shanahan
The Sand Pebbles — FAQs
▸Where can I watch The Sand Pebbles in United States?
The Sand Pebbles is not on subscription streaming in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies.
▸What language is The Sand Pebbles in?
The Sand Pebbles is originally in English, with audio tracks including Mandarin, English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is The Sand Pebbles?
The Sand Pebbles runs 3 hours 16 minutes (196 minutes).
▸What is The Sand Pebbles rated?
The Sand Pebbles is rated PG-13. It holds a 7.2/10 audience score from 280 ratings.
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