The Sand Pebbles

  • 1966
  • PG-13
  • 196m
movieMx RATING
7.2/10267
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Sand Pebbles Review

Last updated: January 25, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 25, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Sand Pebbles (1966) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Sand Pebbles features a noteworthy lineup led by Steve McQueen . Supported by the likes of Richard Attenborough and Richard Crenna , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Sand Pebbles (1966) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Sand Pebbles stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Sand Pebbles

Quick Plot Summary: The Sand Pebbles is a Drama, War film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Ending Explained: The Sand Pebbles

Ending Breakdown: The Sand Pebbles resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Sand Pebbles reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

The Sand Pebbles Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?

The Sand Pebbles uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a drama, war film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.

Historical Context

The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.

The production demonstrates respect for its source material, with attention to period detail and historical context.

Accuracy Assessment: The Sand Pebbles adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.

Who Should Watch The Sand Pebbles?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: The Sand Pebbles

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $12.0M
Worldwide Gross $20.0M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Sand Pebbles Budget

The estimated production budget for The Sand Pebbles is $12.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: The Sand Pebbles

All Cast & Crew →
Steve McQueen
Steve McQueenJake Holman
Richard Attenborough
Richard AttenboroughFrenchy Burgoyne
Richard Crenna
Richard CrennaCaptain Collins
Candice Bergen
Candice BergenShirley Eckert
Mako
MakoPo-han
Charles Robinson
Charles RobinsonEnsign Bordelles
Joe Turkel
Joe TurkelBronson
Joe Di Reda
Joe Di RedaShanahan
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Where to Watch The Sand Pebbles Online?

Streaming Hub

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The Sand Pebbles Parents Guide & Age Rating

1966 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Sand Pebbles age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Sand Pebbles is rated PG-13. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Sand Pebbles is 196 minutes (3h 16m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Sand Pebbles is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1966 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Sand Pebbles. Rating: 7.2/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Sand Pebbles worth watching?

The Sand Pebbles is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Sand Pebbles parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Sand Pebbles identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Sand Pebbles?

The total duration of The Sand Pebbles is 196 minutes, which is approximately 3h 16m long.

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Critic Reviews for The Sand Pebbles

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.2
The Sand Pebbles
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