The Sand Pebbles

an analysis by Stuart Fernie

stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk

"The Sand Pebbles" came out on television in 1976. 

The movie has its own site (www.thesandpebbles.com). 

The action of "The Sand Pebbles" takes place during historic events (1926 China on the brink of revolution). Often films which treat events of this nature concentrate to such an extent on historical accuracy and communicating the scale and import of these events that they become "dehumanized". The most successful "epics" are those which manage to capture the import and implications for a number of well-rounded characters. "The Sand Pebbles" quite definitely falls into this latter category. The beauty of this film is that it depicts "big" events, but not in a vacuum – we are shown the most important aspect of the events, i.e. how they changed, affected, and even destroyed people’s lives. The political and personal dichotomy is constantly emphasized in the course of the film, and one major source of drama is the way in which the two infringe on one another. Early on in the film Shirley Eckert (Candice Bergen) says she wanted to be "swept up" by something. In fact she and the others are almost swept away by the tidal wave of events as she and the missionaries at China Light become (in spite of every effort to avoid the situation) political pawns for both "sides". Eventually Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) is told he is now nothing more than a symbol for his country, but we have seen and shared in the enormous personal turmoil that has led to his political symbolism and historical importance. "The Sand Pebbles" provides a reflection on life in the American Navy at that time. China sailors were clearly regarded in a poor light. Jake even warns Shirley that, "nice American girls don’t talk to China sailors". They are mocked by the native Chinese, treated somewhat haughtily by their superior officers, and regarded as an embarrassment or worse by the very people they serve to protect. We are reminded that the Military is not necessarily seen as a career (except by the officers), but often as a means of escape or even punishment. Given their general lack of respect and sense of worth, it is hardly surprising that the "Sand Pebbles" take comfort in having on board a squad of coolies to carry out menial tasks. However, they also serve a second and perhaps more important function – to allow the Sand Pebbles to feel superior to someone. That is until Jake Holman arrives. Jake does not feel the need to indulge in such practices and prefers to maintain his self-respect by doing his job and maintaining the engine to the best of his ability, without relying on "imported" help. Here we are touching on what makes "The Sand Pebbles" a great film. The fate of a group of fairly unruly and at times unpleasant China sailors is unlikely to inspire much interest, much less identification or association. But the film is about much more than that – it touches on themes such as social justice, finding one’s place in society, racism, friendship, love, nationalism, the brutality of war, and the place of military intervention in foreign affairs. Military and political intervention is the hub of the film – the element around which all others aspects turn and upon which they depend. The San Pablo’s purpose is to protect American interests in a foreign land by flexing its military muscles if necessary. This reflects a colonial attitude and a willingness to take advantage of the apparent disunity of a nation in development. While such a situation may appear outdated and unacceptable in the context of modern politics, in fact it is not so different from the situation today where nations defend others largely because of oil interests, and multinational companies exercise influence on political decisions. The film highlights the decreasing delineation between politics and military intervention, but also, and more importantly, the fact that politics touches everyone’s lives, but especially those who are used as instruments of furthering political ambition or plans. As Jake heads for the San Pablo he is invited to dine with some then unknown "dignitaries" who provide us with a sort of exposition of the political situation. When Jake is asked his opinion, he replies that he is there to take care of the engine, and "the rest is look-see pidgin, something for the officers. I don’t fool with it". This very revealing statement sums up the situation as far as the ordinary China sailor is concerned. They are there to do a job. There is a clear delineation between enlisted men and the officers, and little or no real attempt is made to bridge the gap from either "side". Jake’s remark also reveals a lot about his own character and his attitude toward the military. After all he is hardly a willing conscript (along with, presumably, the majority of his shipmates). He finds various aspects of military life and discipline hard to stomach, but he feels that if he can contribute something of value, then he will be valued at least to some extent. This is surely an aspect of life with which most of us can identify. Most of us focus our energy and efforts on surviving in society by getting a job and developing our skills to make a useful and valued contribution. Most of us rarely consider broader political questions except insofar as they touch our lives directly. Yet here, in 1926 China, Jake Holman is forced to recognize and reflect upon the broader picture and the issues that raises. For perhaps the first time he is invited to consider alternatives to patriotism and nationalism. Shirley Eckert and the missionaries at China Light try to give up their nationality in an attempt to gain the trust and respect of the Chinese revolutionaries. More than that, they wish to abandon the concept of blindly fighting for and defending one’s country’s interests, especially at the expense of another country. They wish quite simply to help people through education and development. Jake is invited to join them and he sees this as a means of bettering and simplifying his life. After all his trials and suffering, for which the system is responsible, this is a way of avoiding artificial political posturing which can lead to conflict and death. Jake has thus been pushed into a period of enforced personal growth and development, which curiously enough reflects the revolution under way in China. Like the Chinese people, Jake has gained self-confidence through the depth of his feelings for Shirley and his friendship with Po-Han (the coolie he trained to run the engine and who was killed by the revolutionaries), Frenchy and Maily. All these elements, combined with the situation in which they find themselves, have led Jake to doubt the sense and purpose of why they are there, and even the authority of those in command. Jake and the Chinese nation are no longer willing to accept their place in society. While Jake and those at China Light see a way forward in abandoning nationality itself, the Chinese seek to establish themselves as a nation. That they appear to be traveling in opposite directions does not matter – each is moving positively away from a situation they find unacceptable. In a similar fashion the military has to develop new strategies to cope with politics and propaganda. Everything the military has been trained for and has found acceptable until then has suddenly become debatable and open to question. This is the dawning of the age of democracy and accountability in which political votes and standing may be won or lost through military action. This puts the officers and men under enormous strain, especially Captain Collins (Richard Crenna) who comes close to cracking as everything he has spent his life defending appears to be coming apart at the seams. When they have the opportunity to exercise some direct action, they seize upon it as a means of re-establishing their pride. At one point when the American flag is unfurled in the course of a battle, the men’s pride and sense of purpose and patriotism are momentarily restored. The flag provides something to believe in. It is a reassuring, simple, traditional alternative to the sea of doubt they have been sailing in. Jake has always been an outsider or a rebel, forced to make a place for himself in society. While in China he experiences a sort of spiritual awakening, discovering in others and daring to recognize in himself qualities and values that bring him increasingly into conflict not just with the Navy, but with the system of society itself. It is an excellent and thought provoking, if tragic, film, which engages emotions and the mind, and which has "haunted" me since I first saw it all these years ago.