Am I the only one to find it sooo boring?
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rj-27 — 11 years ago(January 30, 2015 11:06 AM)
Great comments and well said. Whenever someone starts a thread with "incredibly boring" or whatever, on a film like this, you want to say their opinion just doesn't count. Sort of like saying Bach was a mediocre composer. Dismissed.
I first saw this movie in the early 70's on a black and white Philco. I came into it about 1/3 of the way in, but was immediately captivated. When it ended almost three hours later, commercials included, I could hardly believe I had sat that long to watch a movie.
30+ years later, watching in HD widescreen, I am just as captivated.
Democracy is the pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. H.L. Mencken -
Hancock_the_Superb — 18 years ago(September 13, 2007 09:08 AM)
I disagree, although the slow-pacing does hurt the film. I really like "The Sand Pebbles" overall, but some sections do go on for way too long - not a great deal happens until the Intermission. I also dislike the romance between Frenchy and Maily. . . that didn't do anything but slow the film down. Also, I didn't like Candice Bergen and some of the supporting actors (Larry Gates, Simon Oakland) were WAY too hammy. But overall, I think it's a very good film. McQueen is great, Richard Crenna and Mako too, the action scenes, location shooting and musical score are brilliant.
"The best of them won't come for money - they'll come for
ME!
" - Lawrence of Arabia -
scruffy58 — 18 years ago(September 14, 2007 10:05 AM)
I think that the romance between Frenchy and Maily is a perfect symbol of the overall plot of the film - people who are displaced and searching for a purpose and for the right thing to do. In addition, their tragic fates mirror the hopelessness of the film's setting. I also think Ms. Bergen is terrific in her sweet niavete. She was (by her own admission) an unplolished actress when the film was made but that is one of the reasons I think her performance works. I agree with you completely regarding McQueen, Crenna and Mako; I also agree concerning the technical aspects of the film, notably the cinematography and scoring. I'd much rather watch the entire "The Sand Pebbles" than mindless and annoying garbage like any of the Pirates of the Carribbean" films.
"Thus, we began our longest journey together."
Adult Scout, 'To Kill A Mockingbird' -
zillion29 — 18 years ago(September 15, 2007 08:30 AM)
This film suffers from almost-on-purpose levels of monotonous editing. The brothel boxing match is mind-bendingly drawn out - did we really need 3 rounds to establish that the fat Bluto guy was going to get tired? And the whole crap with Frenchy and Mailing is a stale rehash of what happens to Red Skelton is Sayonara!
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Hancock_the_Superb — 18 years ago(September 15, 2007 11:11 AM)
Well. . . bring the Pirates films into the conversation is unnecessary, although I think I see your point.
Yeah, maybe there's symbolic purpose to Frenchy's romance with Maily, but it does nothing but drag down the plot. And Frenchy isn't that interesting of a character. As for Bergen, I just don't like her period, at least as an actress. The only film I liked her in was "The Wind and the Lion", and I think that was more the character than Candace herself.
"The best of them won't come for money - they'll come for
ME!
" - Lawrence of Arabia -
rready4198-693-489748 — 11 years ago(June 11, 2014 05:16 PM)
For this movie I think the marriage between Frenchy and Maily was okay and showed that somebody had "real" feelings and respected that woman. I know when I saw "Lawrence of Arabia" I was glad there were no women because it would have messed up the flavor of that particular movie.
Larry Gates was a bit ignorant and naive. Candice Bergen was fresh and that made her play the role just like she was "new." Simon Oakland played the kind of role I had always seen him play previous to The Sand Pebbles. He played that role very well because it really got to me that he almost got his filthy hand on Maily!
You said that the action started after the Intermission that was because all of the groundwork had been laid and they could head for the conclusion full steam ahead. I thought it was fine just the way it way. I would have felt cheated if it had been shorter. -
Evitadp-1 — 18 years ago(September 17, 2007 12:00 AM)
I didn't complain about the money, I never said something like that. I still think that it's better that I own it, because it's a McQueen classic. But the movie, yes, for me it was long and boring and Candice Bergen sucked big time.
I'm smiling. This should scare you. -
Charlie Goose — 18 years ago(October 12, 2007 07:35 AM)
Yes, it is a tad too long, but most of it is totally riveting. I've always thought this to be Steve McQueen's best performance.
And Candice Bergen did give a lousy performance, but then again her career is filled with them.
You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa. -
Gloede_The_Saint — 18 years ago(October 20, 2007 01:20 PM)
Its a perfect movie but I guess some people simply haven't grown into liking it yet, or perhapes they never will. If your a action guy there was a pretty big chance you would find a war drama boring anyway so you should know this to next time. By the way, have you ever liked a drama film?
Somebody here has been drinking and I'm sad to say it ain't me - Allan Francis Doyle -
lucmann-1 — 18 years ago(December 16, 2007 08:08 AM)
Yes! As already stated, the tension building from the moment Steve McQueen's character steps on board is riveting. Good god, can you imagine Ben Affleck or Vince Vaughn or whoever is the current flavor of the month pulling this off? One of the best movies ever. Proof that you can make a movie without CGI.
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apower-6 — 18 years ago(January 14, 2008 07:21 PM)
I thought it was great. However, I also read the book first, so perhaps I had a different take on the movie. By the way - Candice Bergen. Beautiful. Stick, with Burt Reynolds - her finest hour.
"String bean you so much to lay a hand on this automobile, I'll jump down your throat, and tap dance on your lungs!" -
rready4198-693-489748 — 11 years ago(June 11, 2014 05:45 PM)
I agree with youit was just right! I think a lot of people were expecting what Steve was generally doing and Jake Holman was a complete departure from that type of character. He probably reached into his own childhood to pull the feeling for Jake out. If so it was brilliant! This movie was so good!
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grockbuster — 18 years ago(February 06, 2008 05:16 AM)
I can see how a fan of "Bullitt", "Le Mans", and "The Towering Inferno" might find "The Sand Pebbles" boring. You would probably find "Gone With The Wind" or "Ben-Hur" boring too.
Sometimes there is more to movies that fast cars, running, and screaming. -
Evitadp-1 — 18 years ago(February 06, 2008 06:50 AM)
Actually, my favourite McQueen movies are "The Thomas Crown Affair", "The Great Escape" and "Papillon".
I always enjoyed real movies with a real plot, but this one, really
I would rather stare at a blank wall for three hours than watch this movie again.
I'm smiling. This should scare you. -
MAC-16 — 18 years ago(February 07, 2008 07:38 AM)
My favourite movie all time and if they have ever put out an DVD adding in the deleted scenes to make it even longer I would be absolutely thrilled.
Hollywood doesn't do much DRAMA anymore to the viewer's detriment.
I have a lot of friends who don't like this movie because Jake dies in the end, which proves they just DON'T GET IT.