Richard Schiekel's Life magazine review, which can be found at thesandpebbles.com, makes the same point. In it, he notes
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — The Sand Pebbles
slokes — 17 years ago(October 04, 2008 06:49 PM)
Richard Schiekel's Life magazine review, which can be found at thesandpebbles.com, makes the same point. In it, he notes Andy Warhol once said he enjoyed movies that were long and boring, and that "The Sand Pebbles" was a good example of how a long and boring film could be enjoyable, too.
I don't know that I can explain it, but I think I get what he meant. There are a lot of story strands in this film, extended outward for much screen time, and not all are interesting to me. But what does connect does make for a great viewing experience, and when you are stuck with the dull scenes (ahem, Frenchy and Maile) you kind of tune out and wait for the next scene, or if it doesn't work either, the scene after that. -
SeisCinemaSeis — 16 years ago(July 09, 2009 01:45 PM)
It's boring because it's too long for its own good. Apparently during the 50's and early 60's if the movie wasn't at least 3 hours long, it wasn't considered a worthy film, regardless the subject. The story could have been told more efficiently by cutting out all the inconsequential fluff.
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coxm-1 — 16 years ago(December 03, 2009 06:18 AM)
"I am a huge Steve McQueen fan, I have watched almost all his movies. So, I was so thrilled when I got the DVD, since this part led Steve to the only Oscar nomination of his career. And I was completely disappointed! Took me three days to finish it and I skipped some parts in the end. So desperately boring!"
Yeah, it needs some cars chases; people snorting coke; some nudity; and flying monkeys to jazz it up. -
rready4198-693-489748 — 11 years ago(June 11, 2014 06:16 PM)
You are wrong"Lawrence of Arabia" only had dead women in it and that was great! My sister and I saw it in the movies and we both were so glad there were NO women in it. I like that human interest side in "The Sand Pebbles" it was appropriate and added something to it as far as I am concerned.
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iguanadan — 16 years ago(January 23, 2010 03:36 AM)
I watch this movie every time is it shown on cable. I can't get enough of the fine acting performances, cinematography, music, production values and direction. It is shot in an epic scale reminiscient of the Great Escape, etc.
Steve McQueen's performance was incredible, subtle yet powerfully portrayed. A perfect role for him, and a great supporting cast, from Crenna's Capt. Collins to Attenburough's Frenchy.
The only part that I found a bit slow was the romance between Frenchy and Maily. Other than that, a tour-de-force performance by SM and the rest of the cast. You actually believe it is 1926 China and you are on-board with the crew. -
phillipsdan83 — 12 years ago(March 06, 2014 10:09 AM)
Even Robert Wise himself wondered whether the Frenchy/Maily subplot was necessarybut it's resolution is what lands Holman in hot water with the Nationalist Chinese, who are all too happy to frame him for murder. Collins' refusal to hand Holman over(though strictly on the basis of Homan being a symbol of America) is what provokes the near mutiny, which leads to Collins' willingness to pick a pointless, possibly suicidal battle with the Chinese. What lands Holman in hot water in the book wouldn't have been filmed due to charges of animal cruelty and points up how different Chinese culture is from America's (Holman frees a pig restrained by wires through it's eyelids in a marketplace and the murder charge is purely trumped upto Holman it's animal cruelty).
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EastCoastMariner — 14 years ago(March 31, 2012 06:28 PM)
When I first saw this movie, I was around 16 and watched it from start to finish, with some pauses to stretch and get food. Years later, I appreciate it because while it is long, it is careful and thoughtful in the development of the characters, setting and mood. I love it.
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anghmho — 14 years ago(April 02, 2012 12:19 PM)
I recommend that you read the book (IF you can find it in your local library; otherwise, used copies are available for peanuts). Then watch the movie again. Maybe that will help it come together for you.
Don't expect the film to contain all the elements of the novel; that would have been impossible. But "The Sand Pebbles" is a terrific film. And the novel is a great book from a very gifted writer who died too soon. By the way, McKenna, the author, was an old salt who served in what before World War 2 used to be called the "Asiatic Fleet" and he did painstaking research, so he knew of what he wrote. -
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rwsmith29456 — 12 years ago(October 19, 2013 02:57 AM)
Fascinating time in history with a lot of personal, cultural and patriotic (both sides) conflicts that get resolved in various ways, with the great performance by McQueen and the rest of the cast. Great movie that many people would find foreign and uninteresting. I'm not one of those people.