Revealing mistake: When the US Navy engages the enemy at the blockade on the Yangtze River, during combat scenes, a sailor's (prop) bayonet wiggles on board the San Pablo.
The Sand Pebbles (1966)
1 revealing mistake
Directed by: Robert Wise
Starring: Richard Attenborough, Steve McQueen, Richard Crenna, Candice Bergen
Factual error: The uniforms worn by the engineering force are from the wrong era. Prior to 1941 the left arm rates had the head of the eagle pointing to the wearer's rear. Steve McQueen and the rest of the Engineering force rate eagle head is pointing forward, which is from WW2.
Captain Collins: Do you know what this is? Desertion in the face of the enemy.
Jake Holman: I don't got no more enemies. Shove off, Captain.
Trivia: Steve McQueen received his only Oscar nomination for his performance as Jake Holman in this film.
Question: Why was the movie called "The Sand Pebbles?
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Chosen answer: It's a pun on the name of the boat which features in the film: the fictional U. S. Navy ship USS San Pablo. The sailors on the San Pablo call themselves the sand pebbles.
Sierra1 ★